Saint Joseph the chaste husband of Mother Mary and foster father of Jesus was a Jewish person born in 30BC in Bethlehem. He descended from Royal lineage which dates back to King David.

He was a humble carpenter who married Mother Mary without whom the history of salvation would be incomplete. However much is not written and known in the Bible, but what is written in the Gospels speaks volumes about his life and character. We also gather knowledge about him in other writings that he was a noble, pious, and forgiving person very loving, considerate and understanding.

He married Mother Mary even though he knew that she was pregnant. Being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her  to public disgrace, he had his doubts about a quick divorce, but the angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him that the child which was to be born to Mother Mary was the “SON OF GOD” and she was conceived by the Power of HOLY SPIRIT. He accepted the will of the Lord.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, again he was warned by the angel about the danger of life to the child. He was told to leave the place immediately due to the Decree of King Herod where upon he fled with Mother Mary and child Jesus to Egypt. He remained there till the death of King Herod, and on his death, returned back to Galilee where he began his work as a carpenter and also taught this trade to Jesus. St. Joseph is went in search of Jesus, when they searched for Him frantically on His sudden disappearance and later found after three days in the temple discussing with elders.

St. Joseph was a simple man with no much means, as the Bible says that when Jesus was taken to the temple to be circumcised and Mother Mary to be purified, he offered the sacrifice of two turtle doves or pair of pigeons, allowed only for those who could not offer a lamb.

St. Joseph did not live a long life but probably died before Jesus’s public ministry began and before crucifixion, as he is not mentioned in the passion of Christ. Jesus also announces from the cross to St. john about Mother Mary and asks him to take her as his mother as she had no one else and nowhere to go. And Jesus knew that the disciples would take care of her.

The Bible says that he was given the highest compliment as he was called the just man. This quality meant a lot more than faithfulness. The Bible also speaks of him as a righteous man; it further says that St. Joseph was one who was completely open to all God wanted to do for him. He became holy by opening himself totally to the will of God.

We, the Church honour him by celebrating his feast on 19th March, however there are many more dates in the catholic calendar out of which 1st May is one such day when we honour him as St. Joseph the worker.

He is the patron of the Universal church by a decree of Pope Pius IX in 1870 and Pope Pius XII in 1955 established the feast of St. Joseph the worker on May 1, as a counter celebration to the communist’s May Day.

We honour St. Joseph and intercede to him during the hour of Death. St. Joseph Pray for us now and at the hour of our death.

Rosarito Coelho
Ward 8