Question:
Answer:
It is fine to practice a devotion to the Heart of St. Joseph. St. John Eudes, the great apostle of devotion to the Sacred Hearts, already spoke of this devotion in the 1600s. There is not, however, any liturgical veneration of the Heart of St. Joseph, whereas there is liturgical veneration of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Thus this is at present simply a private devotion. All this does not mean, though, that various apparitions or private revelations which use this title are necessarily fully approved, nor do we have to follow them even when they are.
The devotion would seem to be based on the doctrine that St. Joseph’s heart is now alive and beating and not simply awaiting the resurrection. Several saints and doctors of the Church have taught that St. Joseph also shares in the grace of resurrection and assumption as do Jesus and Mary, and so his heart would be alive now along with theirs. St. Bernardine of Siena, St. Francis de Sales, and St. John XXIII taught this pious belief. This would be the best foundation for the devotion—much better than private revelations, even approved ones.