Who is Saint Joseph? His different representations in the Bible

• What is the meaning of St. Joseph?
• When to pray to Saint Joseph?
• Why did Joseph become a saint?
• How to do the novena to Saint Joseph?
• How to recite the rosary of Saint Joseph?
• Why bury a statue of Saint Joseph in his garden?
• Who is Saint Joseph the patron saint of?
• What is the colour of Saint Joseph?
• When is St. Joseph's day celebrated?
• What are the different dimensions given to Saint Joseph?
• Joseph, the carpenter
• Joseph, the father
• Joseph, the husband
• Saint Joseph sleeping
• What is the story of Saint Joseph according to the Bible?
• Who are the parents of Saint Joseph?
• When did Saint Joseph die?
• How did Saint Joseph die?
• What are the different representations of Saint Joseph?

St. Joseph is a New Testament character, named for the first time in the Gospel according to Matthew and in the Gospel according to Luke. He is known as a carpenter, married to Mary and is the adoptive father of Jesus. 

What is the significance of St. Joseph?

Joseph is described as a righteous man, who protects the family and provides for them. St Joseph also represents the reasonable man: a man who works hard to provide for his family and who will become the adoptive father of Christ and husband of Mary of Nazareth.

When to pray to Saint Joseph?

St Joseph is not just another saint. God called upon Saint Joseph to watch over Mary and Jesus, so he is entrusted with an exceptional mission. Saint Joseph is surrounded by the greatest virtues: very just, very chaste, very prudent, very courageous, he is also very obedient, very faithful, patient...

By praying the "Hail Joseph" prayer, it is possible to be helped with family, health and work worries.

Why did Joseph become a saint?

St Joseph became a saint by the Lord's decision, being the adoptive father of Jesus.

How to make the novena to Saint Joseph?

Traditionally, the novena to St. Joseph is recited in the month of March (month of Joseph), the novena, like all the others, lasts nine days during which the Hail Joseph is recited daily.

How to recite the Rosary of St. Joseph?

When you have a rosary of Saint Joseph, you must pray the Our Father on the large bead, then pray 10 Hail Marys (on the 10 beads). Then you finish the ten with a Glory to the Father. This is repeated 5 times, i.e. the 5 mysteries meditated on, following the beads of the rosary.

Why bury a statue of Saint Joseph in your garden?

It is believed that acquiring a statue of Saint Joseph and burying it in the garden of a house that you wish to sell would speed up the selling process. However, it should be remembered that there is no Catholic doctrine that states that you can sell your house better by burying a statue of St Joseph.

Who is St Joseph the patron saint of?

Broadly speaking, St Joseph is the patron saint of workers, travellers, exiles, and all those in need. The father of the family is the very embodiment of the notion of protection and care for his own. It is therefore only natural that, as a father, he should become the patron saint of fathers and families. He is also the patron saint of carpenters and most woodworking trades. St. Joseph's wisdom and uprightness of mind make him a saint who is called upon for various problems in life.

What is the colour of St Joseph?

St. Joseph is usually adorned in white and purple as well as white and yellow (the colours of the pope). He is also often depicted wearing a brown robe with a rope belt.

When is St Joseph's Day celebrated?

March is the month dedicated to St Joseph, in particular on 19 March when he is celebrated by the whole Catholic Church. May 1st is dedicated to St. Joseph, carpenter and worker.

What are the different dimensions given to Saint Joseph?

Saint Joseph has different representations and roles within the Bible and the dimensions that define him. There are three main roles highlighted in the representations of Saint Joseph.

Joseph, the carpenter

Joseph is a carpenter, he works with wood, wood is a very present material in the Bible (boat of Noah's Ark, cross...). 

Joseph, the father

Joseph is considered the "earthly" father of Jesus, he lived for 30 years at the side of Mary and her son. He is a father, he educated and protected his child, he has the vocation to support his child.

Joseph, the husband

Joseph was also Mary's husband, at her side throughout her life.

Saint Joseph sleeping

Joseph is also represented as sleeping, because it is when he is immersed in his sleep that his soul prays and meditates, it is through the dream that Joseph receives and understands the divine will.

What is the story of Saint Joseph according to the Bible?

Joseph had been engaged to Mary for some time when she became pregnant by the action of the Holy Spirit. He decides to marry Mary, accept the child as his own and provide for the family. Joseph is presented as a just man who agreed to accept Mary and her child following a message from an angel of the Lord. Joseph thus becomes the adoptive father of Jesus: he raises him, clothes him and feeds him with Mary.

Who are the parents of Saint Joseph?

Joseph is the son of one of the twelve children of Jacob, the patriarch of Israel. 

When did Saint Joseph die?

Saint Joseph died in 20 AD.

How did Saint Joseph die?

It is said in the Bible that Saint Joseph died of an illness from which he was suffering.

What are the different representations of Saint Joseph?

As the adoptive father of Jesus, chosen by the Lord, St. Joseph has an important place in Christian art. He appears as a wise-looking old man, sometimes with tools that evoke his trade as a carpenter. On the other hand, he is also often depicted at the side of the child Jesus, or holding the latter in his arms, gazing at him with a benevolent gaze. He is a paternalistic figure.

Prayer for Saint Joseph

Lord, our God, we thank you for St Joseph, the loving guardian of Jesus and Mary.

He lived his life with humility and obedience, carrying out your will with love and dedication.

We ask you to give us the grace to imitate his faithful faith, his trust in you and his love for his family.

Grant us her protection and guidance in these uncertain times, that we may live in hope and peace, and serve you with joy and gratitude.

We ask this through Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.


Amen