Guardian Of Virgins

In "Terror of Demons," I highlighted St. Joseph's unique role as the Holy Spouse of the Theotokos, the Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God. I also explored his title, "Terror of Demons," through both scripture and tradition, with a particular focus on biblical typology. Biblical typology is the study of "types" and how the Old Testament finds its fulfillment in the New Testament.

In "Virgin Most Powerful," I discussed these same theological concepts and historical and spiritual realities, specifically how Mary is the fulfillment of the Ark of the Covenant. I also explained how Christ is the fulfillment of the contents that were stored in the Ark.

Let us recap, first through the scriptures, then by tradition, and lastly by logic and reason.

In Exodus 25:10-22 , God instructs Moses and the Israelites on how to build the Ark of the Covenant, which is made from acacia wood and gold, with two hammered cherubim on top making a seat for the Lord.

In 1 Kings 6 , after the death of King David, his son King Solomon finally builds the Temple according to God's instructions. The Temple walls are adorned with cherubim, palm trees, gourds, and open flowers. The Ark of the Covenant sits between two large olive wood cherubim that have been overlaid with gold.

The Ark of the Old Covenant was made of the purest wood and gold (Exodus 25:10-13) and contained the stone tablets, an urn containing the manna from heaven, and the budded rod of Aaron, the High Priest Hebrews 9:1-5.

The Lord was conceived and born of a pure virgin woman who was free from the stain of original sin (Psalm 132:11, Isaiah 7:14, and Luke 1:26-38). In Mary's womb was Jesus, Who Is the Living Word of God (John 1:14), the Bread of Life (John 6:35), and the High Eternal Priest (Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 5:6).

In the Old Testament, David is humbled that the Ark of the Lord has come to him. The Ark travels in the hill country of Judea to the house of Obed-edom. David dances before the Ark, which stays at the house of Obed-edom for three months before returning to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1-15).

In the New Testament, Mary travels to the house of Zechariah and Elizabeth in the hill country of Judea. Elizabeth is humbled that Mary, the mother of the Lord, has come to her, and the infant in her womb, John the Baptist of the priestly lineage, jumps for joy. Mary stays with Elizabeth for three months before returning home (Luke 1:39-56).

The Ark, containing the word of God, is presented in the Temple in 1 Kings 8:1-12. Jesus is presented in the Temple by his mother, Mary, and foster father, St Joseph, in Luke 2:22.

The Apostle John first sees the Ark of the Covenant in heaven (Revelation 11:19) before seeing a woman clothed in the sun, with a crown of 12 stars (Revelation 12:1).

So now that we have established that Mary is a type of the Ark of the Covenant and its fulfillment, let us examine the nature of the Cherubim on top of the Ark and the Seraphim that stood beside the Ark.

Seraphim, described in Isaiah 6:1-8 are considered the highest choir of angels. They are caretakers of God's throne, singing hymns "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" Seraphim are depicted as having six fiery wings: two to cover their face, two to cover their feet, and two for flight.

Cherubim are described as second highest choir of angels in Heaven. They are known for protecting the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden and the throne of God. They are mentioned in various biblical passages, including Genesis 3:24, Exodus 25:17-22 , 2 Chronicles 3:7-14, Ezekiel 10:12-14, Ezekiel 28:14-16, 1 Kings 6:23-28, and Revelation 4:6-8. Cherubim are described as having faces of a man, an oxen, a lion, and an eagle. They also possess four wings covered in eyes, with bodies like lions and feet like oxen.

One of St. Joseph's titles from the Litany of St. Joseph is "Pure Guardian of the Virgin,." According to some pious traditions, St. Joseph himself was believed to be a chaste virgin, although an older tradition, found in the apocryphal/historical work The Protoevangelium of James, describes him as an elderly widower. St. Joseph was like a Cherub guarding the Ark of the Covenant, and like the Seraphim and Cherubim guarding the throne of God. St. Joseph was like a living human Cherub and Seraph, guarding the Mother of God and Christ Jesus.

We can draw further analogies by looking towards other chapters and verses in the Bible.

Mary has been compared to the Garden of Eden by some Church Fathers and Saints. Therefore, it is reasonable to compare St. Joseph and his protection of Mary to that of the Cherubim with the flaming sword in Genesis 3:24.

Just as a cloud veiled the Tabernacle in Exodus 40:32 Joseph protected Mary with his "veil of protection" as her husband. No one knew that she was a perpetual virgin or that Jesus was not Joseph's biological son.

Since Mary is the New Ark of the Covenant, Joseph, also of the line of David like his spouse Mary, honored and protected the dignity of Mary's perpetual virginity (compare themese in 2 Samuel 6:1-15 and Matthew 1:19-25).

Litany of Saint Joseph

"Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father in heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Illustrious son of David, pray for us.
Light of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Guardian of the Redeemer, pray for us.
Pure Guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Provider for the Son of God, pray for us.
Zealous defender of Christ, pray for us.
Servant of Christ, pray for us.
Minister of salvation, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph, most just, pray for us.
Joseph, most chaste, pray for us.
Joseph, most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph, most brave, pray for us.
Joseph, most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph, most loyal, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model for workers, pray for us.
Glory of family life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Cornerstone of families, pray for us.
Support in difficulties, pray for us.
Comfort of the sorrowing, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of exiles, pray for us.
Patron of the afflicted, pray for us.
Patron of the poor, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of the Holy Church, pray for us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

He made him master of his house, and ruler of all his possessions.
Let us pray.

O God, who in your inexpressible providence
were pleased to choose Saint Joseph
as spouse of your most holy Mother,
grant, we pray,
that we, who revere him as our protector on earth,
may be worthy of his heavenly intercession.
Who live and reign for ever and ever.


R. Amen."