Saint Joseph | |
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Saint Joseph with the Infant Jesus by Guido Reni.
Oil on canvas (circa 1635) |
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Foster-father/father of Jesus Christ Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary Prince and Patron of the Universal Church |
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Born | Bethlehem, c. 90 BC (apocryphal date) |
Died | Nazareth, July 20, AD 18 (aged 90, apocryphal date) |
Venerated in | Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, Lutheranism, Methodism, Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church |
Feast |
March 19 - Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary (Western Christianity), May 1 - St Joseph the Worker (Roman Catholic Church), The Sunday after the Nativity of the Lord (Eastern Christianity) |
Attributes | Carpenter's square or tools, the infant Jesus, staff with lily blossoms, two turtle doves, rod of spikenard. |
Patronage | Catholic Church, unborn children, fathers, immigrants, workers, employment, traveler, carpenters, realtors, against doubt and hesitation, and of a happy death, Canada, Croatia, Korea, Zapotlan, Vietnam, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines, and many others. |
March 19 - Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary (Western Christianity), May 1 - St Joseph the Worker (Roman Catholic Church),
Joseph (Hebrew: יוֹסֵף, translit. Yosef; Greek: Ἰωσήφ, translit. Ioséph) is a figure in the Gospels, the husband of Mary, mother of Jesus, and is venerated as Saint Joseph in the Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion, Lutheranism and Methodism. Christian tradition places Joseph as Jesus' legal father. Some historians state that Joseph was Jesus' father. Some differing views are due to theological interpretations versus historical views.
In both Catholic and Protestant traditions, Joseph is regarded as the patron saint of workers and is associated with various feast days. Pope Pius IX declared him to be both the patron and the protector of the Catholic Church, in addition to his patronages of the sick and of a happy death, due to the belief that he died in the presence of Jesus and Mary. In popular piety, Joseph is regarded as a model for fathers and has also become patron of various dioceses and places.