Saint Joseph's dreams
Saint Joseph's dreams are four
Biblical accounts
The four dreams are as follows:[1]
- First dream: In Matthew 1:20–21, Joseph is told not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, because she has conceived by the Holy Spirit. (See also the Annunciation in Luke 1:26–38, when an angel visits Mary and she agrees to conceive "through the power of the Most High".)
- Second dream: In Matthew 2:13, Joseph is warned to leave Bethlehem and flee to Egypt.
- Third dream: In Matthew 2:19–20, while in Egypt, Joseph is told that it is safe to go back to Israel.
- Fourth dream: In Matthew 2:22, because he had been warned in a dream, Joseph awakens to depart for the region of Galilee instead of going to Judea.
Commentary
Roger Baxter, in his Meditations reflects on the second dream, writing: "Ponder the particulars of this command. 1. The angel commands in the name of God, who is the supreme Lord. 2. He delivers the command not to Mary, though she was the more worthy; but to Joseph, because he was the head of the family, and its ordinary superior. 3. He appeared to him in sleep, by which we learn, that even while we sleep the care of God is exerted over us, and He is continually watching for our good. 4. He tells him to take the Child and His mother, without mentioning anything else. Oh that Jesus and Mary were your only care! 5. He assigns them the place of their banishment. Learn, hence, not to choose for yourself, but receive everything in the ordinary way of God's providence, and as coming from His hands, in regard to place, employment, prosperity, and adversity."[2]
In art
The dreams have sometimes been depicted in art, though they have never been among the most common subjects from the
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Toros Roslin, 1262
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The first dream, as shown by the angel's banderole, fresco, 1360
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Second dream, Rembrandt and workshop, 1645, with ox
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Bernardo Cavallino, c. 1645. Given the size of Jesus, and the basic accommodation, this might be the 3rd dream.
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Antonio Ciseri, 19th century, probably the 1st dream.
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The 2nd dream, by Daniele Crespi, 1620–1630. Back in the Nazareth workshop, but Jesus in the room to the left seems still a baby.
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Mengs 18th century
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Gaetano Gandolfi, c. 1790
Depictions with articles
- Joseph's Dream (Crespi), 1620s, 2nd dream
- Joseph's Dream (Rembrandt, 1645)
- Joseph's Dream, (Studio of Rembrandt, 1650–1655)
- Dream of Saint Joseph, (de La Tour, 1628–1645)
Sleeping Joseph statues
A statue of the "Sleeping Joseph" is a
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See also
Notes
- ISBN 0-8028-3634-8pages 538-540
- ^ Baxter S.J., Roger. "Christ's Flight into Egypt— II. ", Meditations For Every Day In The Year, New York, Benziger Brothers, 1823, p. 131 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Schiller, 57, 117, 124
- ^ "Pope declares yearlong celebration of St. Joseph, likens saint to pandemic frontliners". ABS-CBN. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- Korea Times. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
References
- James Hall, A History of Ideas and Images in Italian Art, 1983, John Murray, London, ISBN 0-7195-3971-4
- Schiller, Gertud, Iconography of Christian Art, Vol. I, 1971 (English trans from German), Lund Humphries, London, ISBN 0853312702