Feast of St. Joseph
St. Joseph has two feast days on the liturgical calendar. The first, on March 19, celebrates Joseph as the husband of Mary and the second, on May 1, celebrates St. Joseph the Worker.
Father, protector, worker, patron – they all describe St. Joseph, a quiet man who put his trust in God and played a key role in salvation history.
"With a father's heart: that is how Joseph loved Jesus, whom all four Gospels refer to as "the son of Joseph,'" wrote Pope Francis in his apostolic letter Patris Corde. "Joseph had the courage to become the legal father of Jesus, to whom he gave the name revealed by the angel: 'You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins' (Mt 1:21)."
What little we know about St. Joseph come from the Gospels of Matthew of Luke. They tell us that he was a carpenter by trade, that he led Mary, pregnant with child, from Nazareth to Bethlehem, that he witnessed the adoration of the shepherds at the stable, and that he guided Mary and the newborn Jesus to safety after being warned by the angel of the Lord of a threat from Herod.
"The greatness of Saint Joseph is that he was the spouse of Mary and the father of Jesus. In this way, he placed himself, in the words of Saint John Chrysostom, "at the service of the entire plan of salvation,'" wrote Pope Francis. "Saint Paul VI pointed out that Joseph concretely expressed his fatherhood 'by making his life a sacrificial service to the mystery of the incarnation and its redemptive purpose. He employed his legal authority over the Holy Family to devote himself completely to them in his life and work. He turned his human vocation to domestic love into a superhuman oblation of himself, his heart and all his abilities, a love placed at the service of the Messiah who was growing to maturity in his home.'"
"The Evangelist Matthew calls him a 'just man' (cf. 1:19), characterizing him as a pious Israelite who observes the Law and attends the synagogue. In addition to this, however, Joseph of Nazareth also strikes us as someone who is keenly sensitive and human. We see an example of this even before the angel reveals to him the mystery that is taking place in Mary. When Joseph is faced with a situation that is difficult to understand and accept with regard to his future bride, he does not choose the path of scandal and public condemnation but the discreet and benevolent path of secret repudiation (cf. Mt 1:19). In this way, he shows that he understands the deepest meaning of his own religious observance: the meaning of mercy," said Pope Leo XIV.
Because of his role in salvation history, St. Joseph is venerated as a father by the Christian people. There are many churches dedicated to him worldwide, including 13 churches in the Diocese of Portland. Parishes in Bridgton, Ellsworth, and Farmington also have St. Joseph has their patron.
A Fatherly Patron
Along with many churches, St. Joseph is also the patron saint of carpenters, craftsmen, engineers, and workers in general. He is also the patron of the universal Church, fathers, expectant mothers, travelers, homebuyers and sellers, immigrants, and those who are dying.
Resources
Patris Corde (Vatican website)
Readings for the feast day (USCCB website)
St. Joseph Novena (March 10-18)
St. Joseph Novena for those on the path to adoption / March 10-18 (USCCB website)
