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The Catholic Defender: Saint Joseph the Worker


In the workshop of Joseph of Nazareth, we find a model for living in the new creation, working beside Jesus, crafting a better world.


May 1, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, was established in 1955 by Pope Pius XII. St. Joseph's feast often is celebrated by attending Mass and setting up a special altar or table where food, flowers and objects are placed to express thanks and gratitude to the saint or to seek his intercession.


Why is St. Joseph usually pictured wearing brown and green robes? Brown is the color most poor working men wore in Bible times; the color green symbolizes faithfulness to God's call.


The lilies symbolize integrity and indicate that Saint Joseph was the earthly spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose purity is represented by the chaste white lily.


the biblical passage, "The just man shall blossom like the lily" is applied to St. Joseph in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church for his feastday, March 19. Thus, in religious art the lily is used as an emblem of St. Joseph, and similarly in religious flower symbolism the names "St.


A St. Joseph medal is said to protect wearers, as he protected and cared for Jesus. St. Joseph is the holy person for specialists and a defender of the Catholic Church.


To foster deep devotion to Saint Joseph among Catholics, and in response to the “May Day” celebrations for workers sponsored by Communists, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker in 1955. This feast extends the long relationship between Joseph and the cause of workers in both Catholic faith and devotion. Beginning in the Book of Genesis, the dignity of human work has long been celebrated as a participation in the creative work of God. By work, humankind both fulfills the command found in Genesis to care for the earth (Gn 2:15) and to be productive in their labors. Saint Joseph, the carpenter and foster father of Jesus, is but one example of the holiness of human labor.


Jesus, too, was a carpenter. He learned the trade from Saint Joseph and spent his early adult years working side-by-side in Joseph’s carpentry shop before leaving to pursue his ministry as preacher and healer. In his encyclical Laborem Exercens, Pope John Paul II stated: “the Church considers it her task always to call attention to the dignity and rights of those who work, to condemn situations in which that dignity and those rights are violated, and to help to guide [social] changes so as to ensure authentic progress by man and society.”


Saint Joseph is held up as a model of such work. Pius XII emphasized this when he said, “The spirit flows to you and to all men from the heart of the God-man, Savior of the world, but certainly, no worker was ever more completely and profoundly penetrated by it than the foster father of Jesus, who lived with Him in closest intimacy and community of family life and work.”

He is the patron of a happy death because tradition holds that he died of natural causes with Jesus and Mary at his side


St Joseph the Worker, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patron of Workers. In addition to being the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the foster-father of Jesus, St Joseph was a carpenter. Through his work of manual labour, Joseph provided for the Holy Family, and shared in the divine plan of salvation.


Joseph is the patron saint of the Universal Church, families, fathers, expectant mothers, travelers, immigrants, house sellers and buyers, craftsmen, engineers and working people, among others. In the grotto behind the Chapel of Saint Joseph stands a statue of St.


St.Joseph has two feast days on the liturgical calendar.The first is March 19—Joseph, the Husband of Mary.The second is May 1—Joseph, the Worker.


To capture the devotion to Saint Joseph within the Catholic liturgy, in 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph the patron of the universal Church. In 1955, Pope Pius XII added the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. This silent saint, who was given the noble task of caring and watching over the Virgin Mary and Jesus, now cares for and watches over the Church and models for all the dignity of human work.


Brown & Green Fabric: Saint Joseph is typically shown wearing brown and green robes. In Biblical times, brown was the color worn by most of the poor working men. The color green symbolizes Joseph's faithfulness to God's call.

Joseph's Feast Is When Italians Parade : The Salt The wearing of the red honors the patron saint of Sicily. But the real celebrating centers around extravagant altars filled with traditional food, religious symbols and tributes to loved ones.


St.Joseph's Day Pasta, also called Sawdust Pasta or Carpenter's Pasta, made with bread crumbs sautéed in butter to resemble wood sawdust. Cheese isn't used, symbolic of the food shortage experienced in the origin legend of the tradition.


Five (really important) Lessons to Learn from St. Joseph


  • Obedient. Saint Joseph lived in obedience to God's will. ...

  • Noble. Saint Joseph was noble and selfless. ...

  • Faithful Leader. Saint Joseph led by example. ...

  • Hard Worker. Saint Joseph was a hard worker. ...

  • Determined.

Characteristics of St. Joseph


  • Humble.

  • Courageous.

  • Provider.

  • Prudent.

  • Obedient to the will of God.

  • Trusting in Divine Providence.

  • Model of Workers.

  • Example of married life and chaste love.

The Symbols of St. Joseph


  • A Carpenter's Square.

  • Other Carpenter's Tools.

  • A White Lily or One or Three White Flowers.

  • The Child Jesus.

  • A Star of David.

  • A Pair of Turtle Doves.

  • The Letter “J.”

the 7 characteristics of St Joseph as a father?

In His Apostolic Letter, Pope Francis described the 7 virtues of St. Joseph as “a beloved father,” “a tender and loving father,” “an obedient father,” “an accepting father,” a father who is “creatively courageous,” “a working father,” “a father in the shadows”


St. Joseph died 20 A.D.


God our Father, Creator and Ruler of the universe, in every age you call us to use and develop our gifts for the good of others. With St. Joseph as our guide, help us to do the work you have asked and come to the rewards you have promised. Please grant this through Christ our Lord.


O Saint Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, so that having experienced here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers.


The most effective prayer, the one that is always answered, is this: “Father, glorify Your name.” “Answer my cry, O Lord, in a way that will accomplish Your will, for Your will is good, acceptable, and perfect. It is best for You, and therefore best for me and any others who may be affected by this prayer.


Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (Say 3 times).


What do you pray to Saint Joseph before bed?

Oh St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving Fathers.


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