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Josephology is the theology study of Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary, mother of Jesus. Records of devotions to Joseph go back to the year 800 and Doctors of the Church since Thomas Aquinas have written on the subject.For an analysis of the Josephology of Aquinas see: A Thomistic Josephology by James J Davis 1967, University of Montreal, ASIN B0007K3PL4 With the growth of Mariology, the theological study of Joseph also grew and in the 1950s specific centers for it were formed.P. de Letter, "The Theology of Saint Joseph", The Clergy Monthly, March 1955, Online at JSTOR The modern study of the theology concerning Joseph is one of the newest theological disciplines.
In the 13th century, the Dominican Order Doctor of the Church Thomas Aquinas discussed the necessity of the presence of Joseph in the plan of the Incarnation for if Mary had not been married, her fellow Jews would have stoned her to death and that a young Jesus needed the care and protection of a human father. The childhood of Christ by Thomas Aquinas, Roland Potter, 2006 pages 110-120 The Josephology of Aquinas often proceeded with the juxtaposition of Joseph and Mary. Aquinas on doctrine by Thomas Gerard Weinandy, John Yocum 2004 page 248
In the 15th century, major steps were taken by Bernardine of Siena, Pierre d'Ailly, and Jean Gerson, the chancellor of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris. Gerson wrote a lengthy treatise in French titled Consideration sur Saint Joseph and a 120-verse poem in Latin about Saint Joseph. In 1416 to 1418, Gerson preached sermons on Saint Joseph at the Council of Constance in which he borrowed heavily from Mariology themes. Medieval mothering by John Carmi Parsons, Bonnie Wheeler 1999 page 107
From the 16th century onwards, a number of Catholic saints prayed to Saint Joseph, invoked his help and protection and encouraged others to do so. In Introduction to the Devout Life Francis de Sales included Joseph along with the Virgin Mary as saints to be invoked during prayers following an examination of conscience. Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales Kessinger Press 1942 page 297 Teresa of Avila attributed her recovery of health to Joseph and recommended him as an advocate. The interior castle by Saint Teresa of Avila, Paulist Press 1979, page 2 In her biography The Story of a Soul, Thérèse of Lisieux stated that for a period of time, she prayed every day to "Saint Joseph, Father and Protector of Virgins..." and felt safe from danger as a result. The Story of a Soul by Therese De Lisieux Bibliolife 2008 0554261588 page 94 The three mentioned in this paragraph are all Doctors of the Church.
In 1870, Pope Pius IX proclaimed Saint Joseph "Patron of the Universal Church". In 1889, Pope Leo XIII issued the encyclical Quamquam pluries in which he urged Catholics to pray to Joseph as patron of the church. This was in view of challenges facing the church, such as the growing depravity of morals in the young generation. He prescribed that every October, a prayer to Saint Joseph be added to the Rosary, with attached .
During the centenary of Quamquam pluries in 1989, Pope John Paul II delivered the Apostolic exhortation Redemptoris custos ("Guardian of the Redeemer"). This exhortation is part of the "redemption documents" issued by the pope, and refers to the Marian encyclical Redemptoris Mater. Foundations of the Christian way of life by Jacob Prasad 2001 page 404 It discusses the importance of Saint Joseph in the Holy Family, and presents the pope's view of Saint Joseph's role in the plan of redemption. John Paul II positions Saint Joseph as breaking the old vice of paternal familial domination, and suggests him as the model of a loving father. Cradle of redeeming love: the theology of the Christmas mystery by John Saward 2002 page 230 Divine likeness: toward a Trinitarian anthropology of the family by Marc Ouellet page 102
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