Joseph F. Girzone facts for kids

Joseph Francis Girzone (born May 15, 1930 – died November 29, 2015) was an American Catholic priest and a very popular writer. He was sometimes called the "Joshua Priest" because he wrote a famous series of books called Joshua.

Joseph Girzone's Life Story

Early Years and Becoming a Priest

Joseph Girzone was born in Albany, New York. He was the oldest of twelve children. His family faced tough times when he was growing up.

Joseph became a priest in 1955. He first joined the Carmelite Order, which is a specific group of priests. A few years later, he decided to become a diocesan priest. This means he served a local area, like a specific church or community. He worked in different churches in the Albany area. He also helped older people and even helped create an office to support the elderly in Montgomery County, New York.

In 1981, Joseph Girzone had serious health problems, including a heart condition. Because of this, he retired from his active duties as a priest.

Becoming a Bestselling Author

After retiring, Joseph Girzone started a new career as a full-time writer and speaker. In 1983, he published his first novel, Joshua. This book was the start of a series about Jesus Christ returning to Earth as a traveling carpenter.

At first, no big publishers wanted his book. So, he started his own company, Richelieu Court Publications, to release it. He even carried boxes of his book in his car to sell them himself.

The story of Joshua was simple and touching. It was about a carpenter who changed people's lives with kindness and messages of peace. Readers loved it, and soon a major publisher, Macmillan Publishers, bought the rights. They released a paperback version in 1987. With their help, the Joshua books became incredibly popular. Later, another big publisher, Doubleday, also offered him a contract.

The Joshua series grew to ten books. They were translated into many languages and sold over three million copies. This success was so big that people in the publishing world called it "the Joshua phenomenon."

The Joshua Movie

The first Joshua book was even made into a movie in 2002. A wealthy fan of the book, Philip Anschutz, helped pay for the film. Famous actors like F. Murray Abraham and Tony Goldwyn were in the movie.

Helping Others and Sharing Spirituality

By 1995, Joseph Girzone's books had sold over a million copies. He used his earnings to buy a large property in Altamont, New York. He called it Joshua Mountain. Here, he started the Joshua Foundation. This group aimed to help people learn more about Jesus.

Many people wrote to him or visited his home to share how his books had changed their lives. He also taught classes on spirituality at Joshua Mountain. He traveled around the country and even internationally to give talks and lead spiritual retreats. He also bought and ran a retreat center in Lothian, Maryland.

Through his foundation, Joseph Girzone helped many people in need. In Schoharie County, his foundation ran a food pantry, delivered meals, and helped poor families pay their heating bills. He also paid for high school tuition for students who needed help.

Later Years

After many successful years, the publishing world changed. In 2007, after his book Joshua's Family didn't sell as well, Doubleday stopped publishing his books. Joseph Girzone then gave his large house to his foundation. He moved into a smaller apartment above the garage. He also sold the retreat center in Maryland.

Passing Away

In 2015, Joseph Girzone received hospice care at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany. He passed away on November 29, 2015, due to complications from his long-term heart disease.

Joseph Girzone's Books

• Who Will Teach Me? (1982)
• Gloria: a Diary (1982)
• Joshua (1983)
• Kara: The Lonely Falcon (1985)
• Joshua and the Children (1989)
• Joshua and the Shepherd (1990)
• Joshua in the Holy Land (1993)
• Never Alone (1994)
• Joshua and the City (1995)
• What is God? (1996)
• Joey: An inspiring true story of faith and forgiveness (1997)
• A Portrait of Jesus (1998)
• Joshua: The Homecoming (1999)
• Jesus, His Life and Teachings: As Recorded by His Friends Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (2000)
• The Parables of Joshua (2001)
• The Messenger (2002)
• Trinity: A New Living Spirituality (2002)
• Joshua in a Troubled World : A Story for Our Time (2005)
• My Struggle with Faith (2006)
• Joshua's Family (2007)
• 'The Wisdom of His Compassion' (2009, 2012)
• The Homeless Bishop (2011) (Orbis Books)
• Colors of the Spirit by Dorothy K. Ederer, Doubleday, 1998.
• Joshua's Reflections - Volumes 1-6 of 10 (Beginning in 2017)
• Free to Live (2017)