Saint Joseph was a simple manual worker, descended from the royal house of David, yet chosen by God to be the spouse of the Mother of God. Scripture says little about him, but it gives him a powerful title. He was a just man. This tells us he faithfully protected and guarded the greatest treasures on earth, Jesus and Mary.

One of the most painful moments of his life was discovering that Mary was with child. Yet in that trial his greatness was revealed. Trusting God completely, he became the quiet and trustworthy witness to the mystery of Christ’s birth. After this, he steps gently into the background of the Gospel story.

Tradition holds that he died before Jesus began his public ministry. His death is often described as the most beautiful, in the presence of Jesus and Mary. For centuries he remained hidden and little spoken of, but devotion to him grew especially from the fifteenth century onwards.

Today the Church honours him on 19 March and again on 1 May as patron of workers. He is also the patron of fathers, carpenters, social justice and of the dying.

In Joseph we see holiness lived in quiet faithfulness, humility and trust.