WITH A FATHER’S HEART: that is how Joseph loved Jesus, whom all four Gospels refer to as “the son of Joseph”

Matthew and Luke, the two Evangelists who speak most of Joseph, tell us very little, yet enough for us to appreciate what sort of father he was, and the mission entrusted to him by God’s providence.

The greatness of Saint Joseph is that he was the spouse of Mary and the father of Jesus. In this way, he placed himself, in the words of Saint John Chrysostom, “at the service of the entire plan of salvation”.

As a descendant of David (cf. Mt 1:16-20), from whose stock Jesus was to spring according to the promise made to David by the prophet Nathan (cf. 2 Sam 7), and as the spouse of Mary of Nazareth, Saint Joseph stands at the crossroads between the Old and New Testaments.

He was a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father, a creatively courageous father, a working father, as well as a father in the shadows.

Patron of the Universal Church, St. Joseph is recorded as having communicated with the Divine via dreams no less than on four separate occasions.

Writing this icon, my prayer was to try and capture Joseph’s luminous legacy in a two-dimensional oil on wood medium guided by inspiration beyond myself.

We need only ask this great saint, the spouse of the Most Holy Theotokos and the earthly father of God Incarnate Jesus Christ, for his intercession in our conversion process.

Ora Pro Nobis

David Salako (Houston, Texas – April 19th, 2024).

About the St. Joseph icon

8 by 12 inches

Translucent oil paints on wood

Rose gold leaf (imitation) for the halo

Byzantine style motif

Artificially aged to look like the icon was found in an ancient Byzantine Catholic or Byzantine Orthodox church somewhere in North Africa or the Middle East.

Artistic choices to communicate the persona of the father who worked with
his hands and tools.

Gloss lacquer finish

Taking care of your St. Joseph icon

1) Keep in a cool, dry room without too much moisture or condensation.

2) The oil paints and lacquer finish will continue to dry over several months.

3) Do not expose the wooden icon to direct sunlight over an extended period of time. The sun will dullen the vibrancy of the colors as well as warp the wood. No proximal naked flames either.

4) Direct artificial light is okay; the icon will illuminate brilliantly in low light conditions.