| St Joseph was a model of faith. The things that we know for certain about Joseph all come from scripture. We don't have much information, but the stories tell us that Joseph was a carpenter. "Is this not the carpenter's son?" (Matthew 13:55). St. Joseph, a man of low income, purchased a pair of doves for the sacrifice when he took Jesus to be circumcised, and Mary to be purified, when they went to the temple. Yet he was of royal lineage from King David , as the geneology that was provided by two of the gospel writers tells us.
But, some things are inferred about Joseph as well - because of the little we know. It is presumed that Joseph died while Jesus was alive - because we know that he was older than Mary, and that he did not appear in any of Jesus' public ministry, death or resurrection. Because of this, Joseph is also the patron saint of the dying - because assuming he died while Jesus was alive, he would have died in the company of Jesus and Mary, which is the way we all desire to pass when our time comes.
Joseph is also patron of the universal Church, fathers, carpenters, and social justice. We celebrate two feast days for Joseph: March 19 for Joseph the Husband of Mary and May 1 for Joseph the Worker.
Prayer: Saint Joseph, patron of the universal Church, watch over the Church as carefully as you watched over Jesus. Help protect it and guide it as you did with your adopted son. Amen | |
