Saint Joseph

Who he was

Joseph is honored as guardian of the Holy Family and, since Pius IX declared it in 1870, Patron of the Universal Church. Scripture records none of his words, but he showed faith and courage in leading Mary and Jesus away from Herod and back from Egypt (Matthew 2:13-23). He is a model of holiness through quiet faithfulness in daily duties.

As a carpenter (tekton), a craftsman in wood, stone and metal, he sanctified his work, and the Church honors him as St. Joseph the Worker on May 1. Pius XII established that feast in 1955 to show the Church as defender of workers and to counter communist May Day.

One tradition holds Joseph was an older widower with children; another that he had never married. Either way, he is honored for his chastity: he and Mary had a valid marriage they did not consummate, according to God's plan. Hence the term "Josephite marriage" and his title "Most Chaste Spouse."

Patron

Joseph is patron of fathers, families, workers and a happy death, and as he protected the Holy Family he now watches over the Church. The Litany of St. Joseph calls him "Terror of Demons."

Feasts

March 19 honors him as Spouse of the Blessed Virgin; as a solemnity it lifts Lenten abstinence on a Friday. If it falls on a Sunday of Lent it moves to Monday, and in Holy Week it moves earlier. Many, especially Italian Catholics, mark it with meals, prayer and charity. He is also honored with the Holy Family on the Sunday between Christmas and New Year's Day (or December 30). March is traditionally his month.

Why pray to him?

The saints intercede for us. Catholics pray his novena, litany and other prayers for guidance, family protection and help in hardship. Tradition holds he died before Jesus' public ministry, which is why he does not appear later in the Gospels or at the crucifixion, and that he died peacefully with Jesus and Mary present. So he is patron of a happy death.

Common questions

• Burying a St. Joseph statue to sell a house? A superstitious practice (CCC 2111) the Church has never sanctioned, though praying to him is always encouraged.
• Did he have other children? An ancient tradition says he was a widower with children, but it is only a tradition. The Church teaches Mary's perpetual virginity (CCC 499).
• Did he sin? There is no definitive teaching. Scripture calls him a "righteous man" (Matthew 1:19). A tradition holds he was sanctified in the womb like John the Baptist, but this is not official teaching.
• Where was he born? Scripture does not say. He was of David's line and lived in Nazareth; some traditions say Bethlehem (see 1 Chronicles 2:50-54; Micah 5:2).