St. Joseph's Day
St. Joseph's Day is the
feast day of
Joseph the Betrothed, spouse of
Mary and foster-father of
Jesus of Nazareth. It is celebrated on
March 19th.
- The 12th and 13th of the Divine Praises of the Roman Catholic Church are as follows: "Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse".
Pope Pius IX declared Joseph to be the patron of the Universal Church in
1870, and promoted the "Patronage" (later
Solemnity) feast of
Saint Joseph on the third Wednesday after
Easter.
However, as Joseph was a carpenter (or a builder), he is also the patron saint of workers. Pope Pius XII decided in 1955 to add the optional feast day of Saint Joseph the Worker on May 1st, intentionally coinciding with the international labour day.
In the Orthodox Church the Feast of Saint Joseph falls on the Sunday after Christmas.
See also
External link