View source for Saint Joseph

{{Saints
|SaintName=Saint Joseph
|SaintStage=Saint
|FeastDay=March 19 (Solemnity of Saint Joseph), May 01 (Feast of St. Joseph the Worker)
|SaintBirthPlace=Nazareth, Galilee (modern-day Israel)
|DeathPlace=Nazareth or Jerusalem, Judea (traditional belief)
|SaintCauseOfDeath=Unspecified
|NotableAddress1=Nazareth, Galilee, Israel
|Canonized=No
|Profession=Carpenter
|ReligiousAffiliation=Early Christian Church
|Patronage=Universal Church, fathers, workers, immigrants, the dying, a happy death, and many countries including Canada, Mexico, and the Philippines
|Attributes=Lily, carpenter's tools, staff with lily, spikenard
|PrimaryShrine=Basilica of St. Joseph, Nazareth; various other locations claim relics or significant devotion
|AdditionalVeneration=Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran
}}
{{Breadcrumbs|align=right|officialwebsite=no|wikipedia=yes}}


'''Saint Joseph''' (Hebrew: יוֹסֵף, Yosef; Greek: Ἰωσήφ, Ioséph) is revered in Christianity as the husband of the Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus Christ. He is considered a pivotal figure in the Nativity narrative, known for his righteousness, humility, and obedience to God.

Saint Joseph's role in the Christian narrative is one of quiet strength and profound faith, embodying ideals of family, work, and divine obedience, which continue to resonate with believers around the world.

==Biography==
* '''Birth and Early Life''': Very little is known about Joseph's early life. He is believed to have been from the House of David according to the genealogies in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
* '''Occupation''': Traditionally described as a carpenter (Greek: τέκτων, tekton), which could also mean he was a builder or craftsman working with wood, stone, or metal.
* '''Marriage to Mary''': Joseph was betrothed to Mary when she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. Opting not to expose her to public disgrace, he planned to divorce her quietly but an angel appeared to him in a dream, explaining the divine nature of Mary's pregnancy, leading him to take her as his wife (Matthew 1:18-25).
==Significant locations==
{{SaintMapSimple}}

==Parishes==
{{Saint parish map|Where=Saint Joseph|zoom=7|Saint=Saint Joseph}}

==Religious significance==
* '''Role in the Gospels''': Joseph plays a crucial role in the infancy narrative of Jesus in both Matthew and Luke. He is responsible for the protection of Mary and Jesus, including the flight to Egypt to escape King Herod's massacre (Matthew 2:13-15).
* '''Silence in Scripture''': Joseph does not speak in the canonical Gospels, which underscores his humility and silent faith. His last mention is when Jesus is twelve, after which he presumably died before Jesus began his public ministry.

==Patronage==
Joseph is the patron saint of the universal Church, workers (especially carpenters), fathers, travelers, immigrants, and several countries including Canada, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines. 

== Feast days ==
* March 19: Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
* May 1: Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, established by Pope Pius XII to Christianize the concept of labor.

==Symbols ==
* Lily: Represents purity and virginity.
* Carpenter's tools: Reflect his profession and patronage over workers.
* Staff with flowers: From the apocryphal story where Joseph's staff miraculously bloomed to signify his divine selection to marry Mary.

==Veneration==
* Joseph's veneration has grown significantly over centuries, especially since the Middle Ages, with numerous churches, schools, and institutions named after him. His cult was particularly promoted by the Franciscans and later by the Jesuits.
* Papal Recognition: Several popes have shown special devotion to St. Joseph, notably Pope Pius IX who declared him patron of the universal Church in 1870.

==Cultural impact==
* Art: Depictions of St. Joseph are widespread in Christian art, often showing him with Jesus as a child, teaching him carpentry or in the Nativity scenes.
* Literature and Media: Saint Joseph's life has inspired various literary works, poems, and more recently, films and television shows centered around the Nativity story or Christian themes.
* Devotion: His feast days see special observances in many Christian cultures, with prayers for intercession in matters related to family, work, and protection.
* Relics: There are no definitive relics of St. Joseph, but several places claim to have some association with him, enhancing local devotion.

== External links ==
* {{CSI|Saint=St. Joseph}}

==New format==
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{{Saints
|SaintName=Saint Joseph
|SaintStage=Saint
|SaintBirthDate=Unknown
|SaintBirthPlace=Nazareth, Galilee (modern-day Israel)
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|SaintDeathDate=Unknown
|DeathPlace=Nazareth or Jerusalem, Judea (traditional belief)
|SaintDeathCoordinates=
|SaintCauseOfDeath=Unspecified
|NotableAddress1=Nazareth, Galilee, Israel
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|NotableAddress2=
|NotableCoordinates2=
|NotableAddress3=
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|NotableAddress4=
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|NotableAddress5=
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|BeatificationDate=Not formally beatified
|Beatifier=
|BeatificationLocation=
|Canonized=Yes (traditional recognition)
|CanonizationDate=Not formally canonized
|Canonizer=
|CanonizationLocation=
|SaintMiracle1=
|SaintMiracle2=
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|FeastDay=March 19 (Solemnity of Saint Joseph), May 1 (Feast of St. Joseph the Worker)
|Profession=Carpenter
|ReligiousAffiliation=Early Christian Church
|Patronage=Universal Church, fathers, workers, immigrants, the dying, a happy death, and many countries including Canada, Mexico, and the Philippines
|Attributes=Lily, carpenter's tools, staff with lily, spikenard
|PrimaryShrine=Basilica of St. Joseph, Nazareth; various other locations claim relics or significant devotion
|AdditionalVeneration=Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran
}}

Saint Joseph is one of the most revered figures in Christianity, known as the earthly father of Jesus Christ and the husband of the Virgin Mary. Though the New Testament provides little detail about his life, he is celebrated for his righteousness, obedience to God, and his protective role over the Holy Family. His life, marked by humility and service, has made him a model for fathers and workers, leading to his widespread veneration across various Christian denominations.

===Biography===

==== Birth ====
The exact date of Saint Joseph's birth is unknown, but he is traditionally believed to have been born in Nazareth, Galilee.

==== Early Life ====
Little is known about Joseph's early years; however, he is recognized as a descendant of the House of David, linking him to the royal lineage of Israel.

==== Occupation ====
Joseph was a carpenter by trade, which likely influenced the upbringing and teachings of Jesus.

==== Vocation ====
His vocation was to be the guardian of Mary and Jesus, providing for and protecting them as per divine will, especially during the flight to Egypt to escape Herod's decree.

==== Death ====
Joseph met his end under circumstances not detailed in the Bible, traditionally thought to have died before Jesus's public ministry, possibly in Nazareth or Jerusalem, in peace.

===Significant events===

* Acceptance of Mary's divine pregnancy, showing his faith and obedience.
* Protection of the Holy Family by fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod's massacre of the innocents.
* Return to Nazareth to raise Jesus in a devout Jewish household.

===Parishes===

{{Saint parish map|Where=Saint Joseph|zoom=7|Saint=Saint Joseph}}

===Canonization===

==== Servant of God ====
Joseph was not recognized through the modern process; his sainthood is based on early Christian tradition.

==== Venerable ====
Not applicable as this title was formalized later.

==== Beatification ====
Not formally beatified; his veneration has been traditional from the early Church.

==== Canonization ====
He is universally recognized as a saint without a formal canonization process.

===Miracles===

While specific miracles aren't documented for beatification or canonization:

==== Miracle for beatification ====
Not applicable.

==== Miracle for canonization ====
Not applicable.

==== Other notable miracles ====
- His role in the miraculous events surrounding Jesus's birth and protection is often considered miraculous.

===Patronage===

Saint Joseph is the patron saint of the Universal Church, fathers, workers, immigrants, the dying, a happy death, and numerous countries around the world.

===Feast day===

Saint Joseph's principal feast day is March 19, with an additional feast on May 1 dedicated to St. Joseph the Worker.

===Veneration===

Saint Joseph is venerated through various devotions like the Seven Sundays Devotion, the Litany of Saint Joseph, and numerous novenas. His relics are claimed in several locations, with the Basilica of St. Joseph in Nazareth being a primary shrine. He has been depicted in art, such as in the works of Guido Reni and Philippe de Champaigne. Literature and media often celebrate his life, influencing both art and spirituality.

===Books===

==== Written about the saint ====
* [https://www.amazon.com/Consecration-St-Joseph-Wonders-Spiritual/dp/1596144319 "Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father" by Donald H. Calloway]
* [https://www.tumblarhouse.com/collections/st-joseph-books/products/consecration-to-st-joseph-donald-calloway "Consecration to St. Joseph" by Donald H. Calloway]

==== Written by the saint ====
No writings by Saint Joseph exist.

===External links===

* [https://catholicsaints.info/saint-joseph/ Catholic Saints Info - Saint Joseph]
* [https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4 Catholic Online - Saint Joseph]
* [https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/march-19---saint-joseph-husband-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/ My Catholic Life - Saint Joseph]

===References===

{{Reflist}}
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