"Fr. Chorpenning's book offers us an erudite and richly illustrated presentation of the role of St. Joseph in the life and reform of St. Teresa, rooted in the liturgy of Carmel and opening the way to a greater devotion in the universal Church."—Andr Brouillette, SJ, Boston College

"The contemporary picture of the Holy Family was not always featured in Christianity, because for almost fourteen centuries the figure of Saint Joseph received little attention. Joseph grew in importance around 1400 CE, and, as Father Chorpenning’s stimulating book shows, it was the Carmelite Order, and especially Teresa of vila, who was responsible for much of the spread of devotion to Joseph and the notion that he received a universal spiritual mandate. This elegant and concise book sets out the story of devotion to Joseph, especially in the Carmelite Orders, both in word and picture."—Bernard McGinn, Divinity School, University of Chicago

"Engagingly written, concise yet substantive, and brimming with insights, Joseph Chorpenning's new book reveals how and why St. Teresa of vila, and in her wake both branches of the Carmelyte family, came to embrace St. Joseph as an incomparable ?father, teacher of prayer, and intercessor in every need.’ Chorpenning demonstrates that just as Teresa's conception of Joseph issued from her familiarity with the liturgy of the saint codified by the Carmelyte Order of the Ancient Observance, so the later Feast (Solemnity) of the Patronage of St. Joseph and his eventual proclamation as Patron of the Universal Church (1870) were consequences of the Teresan veneration of the saint as parent, patron, and contemplative."—Walter S. Melion, Emory University

"Joseph Chorpenning, OSFS is uniquely qualified to write about Saint Joseph, a silent man who listens to God with faith. Chorpenning brings together years of scholarly research studying devotion to Saint Joseph in the Church. His expertise includes a familiarity with the development of this devotion in the Carmelite family. Saint Teresa of vila had a special relationship with the saint, first attributing to him a cure of a debilitating physical condition, and then crediting him with enabling her reform of the Carmelites. Chorpenning complements his text with beautiful illustrations from the visual arts. A rich feast celebrating the emergence of Saint Joseph from a quiet man of faith and protector of Mary and Jesus to Patron of the family of Carmel and the Universal Church."—John Welch, O. Carm., author of Carmel Notes: A Compendium of Carmelite Scholarship

"A rich feast celebrating the emergence of Saint Joseph from a silent man of faith and protector of Mary and Jesus to Patron of the family of Carmel and the Universal Church."—The Sword