St. Joseph, Tender Father

Guest: Louise Perrotta, writer, editor, wife, and mother

It was a quirky twist of fate which led Louise Perrotta to begin investigating the mystique of silent Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary. Uncovering a small statue which had been buried in the backyard of their new home, Louise immediately felt an attachment and placed him in her line of vision on the kitchen windowsill. As a woman who married a widower with six children, she had a special affection for this man who became the stepfather to God the Son. Who was this simple craftsman specifically chosen by God? With no blueprint to point the way, how could he accept this task? And yet, he did, learning to embrace the mysterious pregnancy of his betrothed and guiding young Jesus by faith.

Journey with Louise as she unpacks this mysterious man who has been called the “Terror of Demons” and the “Guardian of the Universal Church.” Her book, “St. Joseph, Tender Father: His Life and His Care for Us Today,” focuses on the different qualities of St. Joseph as portrayed through the Church fathers, Scripture, and the saints. Each chapter offers insight along with reflection questions and prayers to guide you through the life of this silent saint.

Guest biography: Louise Perrotta is an independent writer and editor with many years’ experience in Catholic publishing. Her articles on saints, Scripture, prayer, and other aspects of Christian living have appeared in numerous publications, most especially in The Word Among Us magazine, where she served as features editor for fifteen years. Louise has written ten books, and, with her husband, Kevin, has co-authored five, including “Oneness: Jesus’ Vision of Marriage.” Louise lives in Michigan, is active in her Byzantine Catholic parish, and enjoys the growing family she inherited through her “surprised by joy,” late-in-life marriage to Kevin Perrotta, a widower and father of six now-adult children. Always looking for inspiration for her own life, she is currently researching a book on happily married saints and blesseds. And with Kevin, she is at work on another book, “My Beloved and I: A Seeker’s Guide to Married Love.”

Resources:
The Word Among Us Press website
“St. Joseph, Tender Father: His Life and His Care for Us Today” by Louise Perrotta
“Patris Corde: With a Father’s Heart” by Pope Francis