Solemnity of Saint Joseph: A Quiet Model of Obedience, Humility, and Transformational Leadership for Society and the Economy

Every year, on March 19, the Catholic Church solemnly celebrates Saint Joseph, the faithful spouse of the Virgin Mary and the adoptive father of our Lord Jesus Christ. His name, meaning “God will add,” perfectly reflects the nature of his life—quiet, obedient, humble, yet profoundly influential, teaching us powerful lessons about genuine leadership.

Saint Joseph was a direct descendant of King David, yet never boasted of his noble lineage nor of the divine revelations received through dreams. On the contrary, he chose a humble life as a carpenter, dedicated to quietly and lovingly caring for the Holy Family.

Today’s biblical readings (2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-14,16; Romans 4:13,16-18,22; Matthew 1:16,18-21,24) highlight Joseph’s humble obedience. The first reading recounts God’s eternal promise made to the lineage of David, while the second reading emphasizes Abraham’s steadfast faith and unwavering trust in God amid uncertainty. The Gospel presents Joseph responding courageously and without hesitation to God’s call. This silent yet active obedience reveals Joseph’s essence as a true leader, relevant even today.

How Would Saint Joseph Lead a Modern Company?

In today’s business environment, where many leaders seek public recognition and acclaim, Joseph offers a radically different and deeply transformative model based on humility, active listening, and the empowerment of human potential.

A CEO inspired by Saint Joseph would aim to maximize the talents of each employee, ensuring that they become truly capable, independent, and self-reliant. He would promote a fair distribution of profits, ensuring not only shareholders but also employees, suppliers, clients, and all stakeholders receive a fair reward proportional to their contributions and efforts.

Drawing on John Nash’s Game Theory, such leadership would aim to create a cooperative and sustainable business environment in which each participant benefits fairly, avoiding a zero-sum mindset where some win at the expense of others. This Joseph-inspired model promotes a collaborative economic ecosystem where long-term sustainability results from a fair balance of stakeholder interests.

How Would Saint Joseph Lead a Country and its Economy?

If we extend this model to national leadership and economic governance, Saint Joseph’s example becomes particularly powerful. A country guided by Joseph’s principles would prioritize the integral development of its citizens, empowering them to achieve autonomy, independence, and freedom from harmful dependencies, particularly perpetual subsidies.

As I expressed several years ago in my column in El Espectador, “Estado suicida, perdón, subsidia” (“Suicidal State, Sorry, Subsidizing”), a government that relies permanently on subsidies is ultimately compromising its long-term economic growth, fostering citizens who remain dependent and unable to reach their full potential.

True economic leadership inspired by Saint Joseph would firmly reject such practices, instead implementing policies focused on education, training, entrepreneurship, and innovation, thus empowering citizens toward genuine economic and personal independence.

Joseph would lead by advocating policies that help citizens identify their talents, enhance their skills, and achieve their maximum potential. Rather than creating dependency, he would build conditions where everyone could pursue self-realization, contributing meaningfully to society’s overall prosperity.

Saint Joseph and John Nash’s Economic Theory

This vision aligns perfectly with John Nash’s Game Theory, where equilibrium is achieved when each participant receives a fair reward based on individual effort and contribution. It’s not about arbitrarily distributing wealth; rather, it ensures that all economic players earn according to their merit, contribution, and effort. Under this socio-economic vision, no one would have to lose for another to win. Instead, we would build a sustainable and just equilibrium, creating societies characterized by real and lasting prosperity.

Conclusion: A Legacy Relevant and Urgent Today

Saint Joseph isn’t merely a revered figure from the past; he represents a living model of ethical, sustainable leadership—critical in times of social and economic crisis. His example inspires us to create just and economically sustainable societies, profitable businesses that equitably benefit all stakeholders, and nations empowering citizens toward true economic freedom, free from harmful dependencies.

On this solemnity, let us turn to Saint Joseph, asking his intercession, that his quiet and humble example may inspire us to lead with responsibility, fairness, and genuine freedom. Following his legacy, we can build a world where everyone reaches their full potential, living with dignity, independence, and authentic freedom.

Saint Joseph, faithful spouse, humble leader, and model of authentic freedom, pray for us!