St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus?

Question from Ray on 10/3/2007:

I just heard the litany of St. Joseph, in which he is referred to as foster father of Jesus. Every time I hear this usage I cringe because it seems like a very cold term to use for the husband of Mary, Mother of God. St. Joseph was the provider, protector, and mentor of the Son of God. I refer to St. Joseph as "the father of Jesus on earth," not foster father.

Answer by Catholic Answers on 10/3/2007:

Ray--

St. Joseph is often called the "foster father" of Jesus in order to emphasize that he is not Jesus' biological father (cf. Matt. 1:18-25). As Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, Joseph cannot be considered Jesus' birth father. However, so long as Jesus' parentage is rightly understood, it is not wrong to refer to Joseph as Jesus' father. Joseph acted as Jesus' father in this world and was considered by Jesus' contemporaries (cf. Matt. 13:55) and by the Virgin Mary herself (cf. Luke 2:48) to be Jesus' father.

I would like to note though that there is nothing derogatory about the term "foster father." Foster fathers play a very important role in the lives of children whom they have chosen to take into their home. In a very real sense, foster fathers are called to "provide, protect, and mentor" the children entrusted to their care and may certainly consider St. Joseph a special patron.

Michelle Arnold
Catholic Answers