Saint Joseph

Biography

Saint Joseph, also known as Joseph of Nazareth, Joseph the Artisan, Joseph the Betrothed, and Joseph the Worker, was a descendant of the house of David. He was a layman and a builder by trade, traditionally known as a carpenter, although it is possible that he was also skilled in stonework. Saint Joseph was the earthly spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster and adoptive father of Jesus Christ. Saint Joseph is known for his visionary encounters with angels and his willingness to immediately obey God's commands. He is often represented in art with various symbols, including the Bible, branches, carpenter's square, carpenter's tools, chalice, cross, hand tools, infant Jesus, ladder, lamb, lily, monstrance, an old man holding a lily and a carpenter's tool such as a square, an old man holding the infant Jesus, plane, and rod. Saint Joseph's feast days are celebrated on 19th March and 1st May (Joseph the Worker). In addition, he is honored on the 3rd Wednesday after Easter as the patron of Saint Joseph of the Universal Church. Some local calendars also commemorate him on 3rd January, and Armenian and Coptic Christians celebrate his feast on 29th October and 20th July, respectively. Saint Joseph passed away in the 1st century, prior to the Passion of Jesus Christ, due to natural causes. He is considered the patron saint against doubt, hesitation, and many professions, such as accountants, attorneys, barristers, bursars, cabinetmakers, carpenters, cemetery workers, children, civil engineers, confectioners, craftsmen, dying people, educators, emigrants, exiles, expectant mothers, families, fathers, furniture makers, grave diggers, happy death, holy death, house hunters, immigrants, interior souls, joiners, laborers, lawyers, married people, orphans, people in doubt, people who fight Communism, pioneers, pregnant women, social justice, solicitors, teachers, travelers, unborn children, wheelwrights, workers, and working people. Saint Joseph was proclaimed as a patron of the Catholic Church by Blessed Pope Pius IX on 8th December 1847. He is also considered a protector of the Universal Church, and this title was officially proclaimed on the same date. Additionally, Saint Joseph is recognized as a special protector against the Soviets in Russia, given by Pope Pius XI in 1930. Throughout the world, Saint Joseph is honored and recognized as a patron saint in various countries, regions, dioceses, and cities. Some of these include Austria (Carinthia, Styria, Tyrol), Brazil (Além Paraíba, Alfenas, Alto Rio Doce, Barra Longa, Botelhos, and many more), Canada (Canadian Armed Forces, Deschambault, Quebec), Germany (Bavaria, Cologne, Westphalia), Italy (Acri, Altamura, Bagheria, Florence, Rome, and others), Malta (Birkirkara, Kalkara, Msida, Qala, Gozo), Portugal (Santarém), Laguna Indian Pueblo, and many more. In addition to the Catholic Church, Saint Joseph is revered by various religious institutions, including the Associazioni Cristiane Lavoratori Italiani (proclaimed on 1st May 1955 by Pope Pius XII), the Sisters of Reparation to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Sisters of the Poor Child Jesus. Saint Joseph's life is filled with mystery, but he played a crucial role in God's plan of salvation through his unwavering faith, love, and obedience. As husband to the Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus, Saint Joseph offers a powerful example of humility and selflessness to all believers.