Feast of Saint Joseph

Saint Joseph, husband of Mary and adoptive father of Jesus, is celebrated on 19 March. A model of faith, work and protection, he plays an essential role in the Christian tradition and continues to inspire believers throughout the centuries.

Who is Saint Joseph?

Saint Joseph is a key figure in Christianity. A carpenter by trade, he was chosen by God to be the protector of Jesus and the husband of the Virgin Mary. The Bible, particularly the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, teach us more about him.

A descendant of King David, he is described as a just and humble man. According to tradition, he was chosen by the priests of the Temple of Jerusalem to marry Mary after a miracle caused his staff to blossom, a divine sign of his destiny.

Joseph is also known for his obedience and discretion: he accepted the mission that God entrusted to him without ever uttering a word in the Scriptures. His humility and deep faith make him a model of holiness and fidelity.

The role of Saint Joseph in the Bible

Saint Joseph plays a key role in the history of salvation. He is the man to whom God entrusts the mission of protecting Mary and Jesus. Several biblical passages bear witness to his importance:

• Joseph's dream: After discovering Mary's pregnancy, he decides to divorce her in secret, but an angel appears to him in a dream and reveals to him the divine conception of the child (Matthew 1:20-21).
• The birth of Jesus: Joseph takes Mary to Bethlehem where she gives birth to Christ in a stable (Luke 2:6-7).
• The flight to Egypt: Alerted by an angel to the danger posed by Herod, he flees to Egypt with Mary and Jesus to protect them (Matthew 2:13-15).
• The return to Nazareth: After Herod's death, Joseph brings his family back to Galilee where Jesus grows up in safety (Matthew 2:19-23).

His courage, his faith and his ability to listen to God make him a role model for all believers.

The Feast of Saint Joseph: Date and Significance

The feast of Saint Joseph is celebrated on 19 March. It was officially instituted by the Catholic Church and is a Solemnity, the highest degree of liturgical feasts.

On 8 December 1870, Pope Pius IX proclaimed Saint Joseph patron of the universal Church. Since then, his feast day has been a time of reflection and prayer for all the faithful.

This feast day is also a time to pray to Saint Joseph as protector of families and model of virtue.

The Patronages and Symbols of Saint Joseph

Saint Joseph is the patron saint of:

• The family: He is a model for all fathers.
• The workers: He embodies the dignity of manual labour.
• The universal Church: He has been its protector since 1870.

His symbols include:

• The lily: Represents his purity.
• The carpenter's tools: Symbolise his work and his humility.
• The flowering staff: Testifies to the miracle that revealed his divine choice.

Prayer to Saint Joseph

Saint Joseph, humble and faithful servant of the Lord, we turn to you with confidence.

You who protected the Holy Family with love and devotion, watch over our homes and guide us in our trials.

Grant us strength in our work, patience in our difficulties and perseverance in our faith.

O glorious Saint Joseph, model of workers and family men, teach us humility and obedience to the divine will.

Take under your protection workers, job seekers and those who struggle to provide for their families.

We entrust to you our sorrows, our hopes and our prayers. Intercede for us with your adopted son, Jesus, so that he may grant us peace and comfort.

Amen.

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