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Most of us are familiar with the phrase "action speaks louder than words." As husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus, St. Joseph is a perfect example of obedient action to God's will. St. Matthew describes Joseph as a "just man," but there's not a single word of St. Joseph recorded in the Gospels – just his actions at crucial times during Jesus' infancy narrative.

On March 19, the Church commemorates the Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of Mary. This is an excellent opportunity to look at the life of this intriguing saint entrusted by God to protect and care for His only begotten Son and the Virgin-Mother. (I reflect on this truth often when I have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning.)

St. Joseph is my favorite saint and role model as a Catholic man for three practical reasons:

St. Joseph listens.

When Joseph found that Mary was with child, he decided to send her away quietly, not wanting to shame her. However, an angel of God told Joseph in a dream: "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit" (Mt 1:20). When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel said and took Mary with him, even though I'm sure he couldn't completely grasp the concept of a child "being conceived by the Holy Spirit."

St. Joseph understands.

Joseph empathizes with most of us struggling to meet our temporal needs in the midst of a challenging economy. I often think about how embarrassing it might have been for Joseph not to be able to find shelter for Mary to give birth to Jesus. Imagine witnessing the Nativity in a cold night behind no walls, no heat and no privacy. Yet, it was the Father's will that the Savior of the world would be born in a smelly stable, with a manger as His crib, welcomed to the world only by shepherds and truly wise men.

St. Joseph protects.

After the magi visited the Christ Child and departed from Bethlehem, another angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and warned him, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him" (Mt 2:13). According to the Gospel account, St. Joseph got up immediately in the middle of the night, took Mary and Jesus, and fled to Egypt and stayed there until King Herod died.

What an incredible account of trials and tribulations the Holy Family experienced from Jesus' birth until they returned to Nazareth from Egypt. And what a remarkable testament of faith in God's providence St. Joseph displayed during this time. Furthermore, if we read between the lines, we can recognize how much Our Father believes in the human race to entrust the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity made flesh and the Immaculate Conception to a simple carpenter from Nazareth.

For that reason, I dare say St. Joseph is God's favorite saint.

If you have yet to develop a devotion to St. Joseph, start now. Go to Joseph. He listens; he understands; he protects.

St. Joseph, husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus, pray for us.

Rico De Silva is a member of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.