Catholic Saints Podcast: St. Joseph, Part 1 — Old and New

Podcast: Catholic Saints
Host: Augustine Institute (Taylor Kemp & Dr. Ben Akers)
Episode: St. Joseph Part 1: Old and New
Release Date: March 19, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode launches a four-part series on St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, focusing on his biblical significance in both the Old and New Testaments. Hosts Taylor Kemp and Dr. Ben Akers explore how typology (the study of scriptural foreshadowing) allows Catholics to find deeper meaning in St. Joseph’s life by connecting him with his namesake, the Old Testament Joseph. They reflect on what St. Joseph offers today's Church, especially as faith and family come under modern pressures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Motivation and Relevance of a Series on St. Joseph

• March as St. Joseph’s Month: The Church traditionally dedicates March to St. Joseph, whose feast is March 19th.
• Recent Emphasis: Pope Francis declared a Year of St. Joseph in 2020 for the first time in Church history (00:55).
• Contemporary Importance: Increased Church focus due to threats to the family and the Church itself. Dr. Akers comments,

  "We need the Father who led the holy family...the Church is his extension. We need the person who protected Christ and...the Mother of God" (03:26).

2. St. Joseph’s Hiddenness and Silence

• Scriptural Silence: St. Joseph utters no recorded words in the Gospels—emphasizing humility and obedience.
• Memorable anecdote: Staff at Augustine Institute posted blank quotes for St. Joseph on the office chalkboard as a playful nod to his silence, then added that his only spoken word was “Jesus” (04:10).

3. Josephs of Old and New: Typological Parallels

• Typology Explained: The Old Testament foreshadows the New; St. Joseph’s story mirrors that of Joseph, son of Jacob, in Genesis.
• Genealogical Clues:

  “Jacob was the father in the Old Testament of his beloved son Joseph. So...Matthew’s clue to start thinking in this way” (06:13).

4. Old Testament Joseph: Life Highlights

• Scripture Reference: Genesis 37–50
• Key Traits:
  • Favored son of Jacob (Israel)
  • Receiver and interpreter of divine dreams
  • Betrayed and sold into slavery by his brothers
  • Exemplary chastity in resisting Potiphar’s wife
  • Endures wrongful accusation and imprisonment
  • Rises to Pharaoh’s right hand, saves many in famine—offering bread to Egypt and beyond (07:50–09:41)

5. New Testament Joseph in Light of the Old

• Parallels Drawn:
  • Favored by God: God specifically chooses Joseph to father Jesus on earth (10:00)
  • Bearer of Dreams: Like the first Joseph, St. Joseph receives divine guidance through dreams—four times in the early chapters of Matthew (10:40).
  • Chastity and Virtue:
    • Old Joseph resists seduction; New Joseph protects Mary’s perpetual virginity.
    • “Joseph protected Mary’s virginity not because of a lack of hormones but because of virtue” — Taylor Kemp (13:22).
  • Youth vs. Age: Discussion on whether Joseph was young or old. Dr. Akers leans toward a young, virginal Joseph, arguing this fits better with the Gospel portraits, virtue, and the demands of his mission (12:43–14:41).
• Trust in God’s Providence: Like his namesake, St. Joseph faces adversity without bitterness.

  “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” — Joseph in Genesis 50:20, echoed in Joseph's faith-filled response to trials (16:04).

6. Lessons in Suffering and Forgiveness

• Vulnerability & Faith: Both Josephs experience betrayal, suffering, dislocation, and hardship—but respond with steadfast trust in God’s plan.

  “The greatest scandal in the world is not broken hearts. It’s hard hearts.” — Dr. Ben Akers (17:47)

7. Provider of Bread: Typology and the Eucharist

• Bread as Salvation:
  • Old Joseph: “Joseph provides grain, bread, in a time of famine” (19:04).
  • New Joseph: Guarding the Christ-child, he enables Jesus—Bread of Life—to bring spiritual sustenance (Eucharist) to the world.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Joseph’s Hiddenness:

  “Joseph lives such a hidden life...he's the silent one.” — Taylor Kemp (02:05)

• On Virtue and Chastity:

  “What a phenomenal saint for anyone who is seeking to live in celibacy, anyone who wants to grow in chastity, because...it was virtue that protected her virginity.” — Taylor Kemp (13:22)

• Regarding Resentment and Providence:

  “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive...” — Genesis 50:20 referenced by Taylor Kemp (16:04)

• On Broken vs. Hardened Hearts:

  “The greatest scandal in the world is not broken hearts. It's hard hearts.” — Dr. Ben Akers (17:47)

Major Segment Timestamps

• 00:55 – Why a Year of St. Joseph? Church history and papal emphasis
• 05:36 – Purpose of typology and link between the Josephs
• 07:50–09:41 – Summary of Old Testament Joseph’s story
• 10:27–11:37 – Parallels in favored status, dreams, and “shadow of the Father”
• 12:30–14:41 – Chastity and age of New Testament Joseph: theological perspectives
• 15:25–17:47 – Suffering, forgiveness, and trust in Providence
• 19:04–19:41 – Eucharistic connection: Joseph as provider of bread

Flow & Tone

The discussion is insightful yet warm, marked by deep reverence for St. Joseph. The hosts blend personal reflection, theological depth, and practical encouragement. Their tone invites listeners into a deeper appreciation of Joseph’s role as a model of faith, fatherhood, purity, and trust.

Takeaways for Listeners

• St. Joseph’s life, though silent in Scripture, speaks powerfully through his deeds and trust in God.
• Understanding Old Testament typology enriches appreciation for St. Joseph’s mission.
• St. Joseph is a model for today’s world: a virtuous, faithful protector amid crisis and confusion.
• The similarities between the two Josephs encourage us to trust that God can bring good from even the most difficult circumstances.

To be continued in Part 2: St. Joseph as Guardian of the Redeemer.