Saint Joseph

December 31, 2021

Saint Joseph is a biblical figure most well known for being married to Mary, the mother of Jesus, as well as the Earthly father of Jesus. 

Joseph was a Jewish man from Nazareth with family lineage going back to King David. Although a birthday is not known, it is believed that he was born around 100 B.C. and died around 1 A.D.

Relationship with Mary and Jesus

Although there is no official documentation that states how Joseph and Mary met, many speculate that they met through a matchmaker which was common in the ancient world. They were likely introduced at a young age although the ultimate final choice if they should be together was made by God. Soon the two had been betrothed, which would be comparable to an engagement these days. Shortly after, Joseph would learn that Mary was pregnant but knew the child could not be his because he knew Mary was still a virgin. Despite this, Joseph showed his compassion for the situation by protecting Mary from claims of adultery for fear she may be stoned to death. An angel told Joseph in a dream that he shouldn’t be afraid to make Mary his wife. It was also during this dream that Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant from the Holy Spirit and the child was the son of God. The angel told Joseph that the baby would be a boy and to name their son Jesus. 

Becoming Saint Joseph

Although nobody knows exactly when Joseph passed away, most believe it occurred before Jesus began his ministry and before the Crucifixion. Joseph is viewed as the patron saint of workers. 

The month of March has been dedicated to Saint Joseph and he is associated with multiple feast days. Veneration for Saint Joseph dates all the way back to the year 800. Saint Thomas Aquinas discussed Saint Joseph in the plan of the Incarnation for Mary because of his involvement in protecting Mary through their marriage and his role as a protector and father for Jesus. In 1870, Pope Pius IX announced that Saint Joseph would be the protector of the Catholic Church.