Historia wielkiej miłości” (The Holy Family of Nazareth: A History of a Great Love, challenges long) – standing clichés and restores Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to the concrete realities of history. The book has been published in Polish and is now available in Poland.
A family rooted in history
Written by Fr. Prof. Józef Naumowicz—one of Poland’s most distinguished patrologists and scholars of early Christianity—the publication offers a fresh, source-based perspective on the Holy Family. The author consistently strips away sentimental, idealized portrayals and presents Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as young, strong, and courageous people, deeply embedded in the social and historical context of their time, yet profoundly permeated by God’s presence.
Joseph was not an old man
One of the book’s most groundbreaking themes is the reinterpretation of Saint Joseph. Fr. Prof. Naumowicz demonstrates that the image of Joseph as a frail old man originates in later apocryphal traditions, intended to safeguard the truth of Mary’s virginity.
A careful analysis of Scripture, history, and cultural context leads to very different conclusions. As the author writes:
“The image of a weak old man is incompatible with the practical demands of his role. The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, or the even longer one to Egypt (…) required considerable physical strength and endurance, suggesting that Joseph (…) was an energetic man, capable of fulfilling a father’s role toward Jesus.”
Mary: mature in faith
Equally insightful is the author’s portrayal of Mary. She emerges as a spiritually mature, conscious, and courageous woman who freely embraced her vocation. The book also recalls lesser-known traditions concerning her childhood, her formation in the Temple, and the path of faith she had already traveled before the Annunciation.
Inspiration for today
The Holy Family of Nazareth: A History of a Great Love is not only a solid scholarly study, but also a source of spiritual inspiration for contemporary families. The story of Nazareth shows that holiness is born in everyday life—in work, responsibility, and love. Especially during the Christmas season, this narrative resonates with renewed strength.
