Saint Joseph
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster-father of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
From Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913, “St. Joseph”
Patronages on this page:
Patronages
According to Catholic tradition, as recorded in the sources cited for each patronage:
Carpenters
Recorded as patron of carpenters in:
- Drake, Saints and Their Emblems, 1916, PATRONS OF ARTS, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS
Catholic Church
Recorded as patron of Catholic Church in:
Death
Whence he is particularly invoked for the great grace of a happy death, and the spiritual presence of Jesus in that tremendous hour.
Recorded as patron of death in:
- Butler, Lives of the Saints, 1812, SAINT JOSEPH.
- Butler, Lives of the Saints, 1866, ST. JOSEPH.
Also recorded as patron:
Fathers
- Diocese of St. Petersburg: Pope Francis Proclaims Year of St. Joseph - Diocese of Saint Petersburg, consulted October 3, 2026
Marriage
- Gulf Coast Catholic: Holy Intercessors for National Marriage Week, consulted October 3, 2026
Workers
- Diocese of St. Petersburg: Pope Francis Proclaims Year of St. Joseph - Diocese of Saint Petersburg, consulted October 3, 2026
Feast day
- March 19 · General Roman Calendar
From Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913, “St. Joseph”
The chief sources of information on the life of St. Joseph are the first chapters of our first and third Gospels;
they are practically also the only reliable sources, for, whilst, on the holy patriarch's life, as on many other points connected with the Saviour's history which are left untouched by the canonical writings, the apocryphal literature is full of details, the non-admittance of these works into the Canon of the Sacred Books casts a strong suspicion upon their contents;
and, even granted that some of the facts recorded by them may be founded on trustworthy traditions, it is in most instances next to impossible to discern and sift these particles of true history from the fancies with which they are associated.
Prayer from The Raccolta, 1910, no. 300
PURE spouse of most holy Mary, glorious St Joseph, the trouble and anguish of thy heart were great when, being in sore perplexity, thou wast minded to put away thy stainless spouse; yet was thy joy inexpressible when the Archangel revealed to thee the sublime mystery of the Incarnation.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee comfort our souls now and in their last pains with the consolation of a well-spent life, and a holy death like unto thy own, with JESUS and Mary at our side.
Works of art
