The Holy Week Shadows of St. Joseph: Holy Saturday

National Catholic Register, 03 April 2021

Two of the most beautiful texts in the entire liturgy fall on Holy Saturday. The Exultet at the Easter Vigil is well known, but the second reading from the morning’s Office of Readings in the breviary is not. It should be.

It is an ancient homily for Holy Saturday, composed by an unknown author, who vividly imagines what has been called the “descent into hell” or the “harrowing of hell.” Portrayed in powerful icons, Jesus, having accomplished the redemption on the Cross, goes to the realm of the dead, but He goes as the Savior, to proclaim the good news of salvation to the righteous of all ages (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 632-635).

Where was St. Joseph? Christian tradition holds that St. Joseph died before Jesus began His public life. So by Holy Week, Joseph had died, but was not in heaven. Heaven was still closed, awaiting the redemptive work of Jesus on the Cross.

St. Joseph was with the righteous of all the ages who died before Christ came. We call this the “bosom of Abraham” or, in technical theological language, the “limbo of the fathers.” Joseph was in their midst, alongside Elijah and Moses, who had heard at the Transfiguration that salvation was close at hand. 

On the Cross the Church is born from the pierced side of Christ, the Bride coming forth from the Bridegroom, even as Eve came forth from Adam’s side. 

As the Church is being born on Calvary, Joseph is already with those waiting-to-be the Church Triumphant in heaven. The have already been saved in virtue of the Blood of Christ, the Precious Blood first shed in the presence of St. Joseph at the circumcision, a sign of the covenant with Abraham.

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