Roman Catholics will celebrate the feast of Saint Joseph the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday, March 19.
St. Joseph is the beloved patron saint of the Universal Church, fathers, workers, and the dying.
Commemorative masses will be offered Saturday in several churches around the country under the patronage of St. Joseph. Novena masses were held from March 10 to 18. Today, March 17, is the 8th day of the novena mass which is traditionally preceded by the praying of Holy Rosary.
Pope Francis was inaugurated as Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church at the Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy on March 19, 2013. The Pontiff is also known to keep an image of a sleeping St. Joseph on top of his work desk at the Vatican.
In recognition of his important role in the lives of the faithful, the Catholic Church observed Dec. 8, 2020 until Dec. 8, 2021 as the Year of St. Joseph.
Considered as the second greatest saint after the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph was a skilled carpenter by profession. He was a model husband to Mary. As the foster father of Jesus, he taught Him basic carpentry skills and “made Jesus aware of the dignity of labor.” Under his guidance, “Jesus grew in wisdom and grace.”
St. Joseph was a descendant of David, the greatest king of Israel who, according to St. Matthew, was “a righteous, compassionate, and caring man. He was a man of faith and was very subservient to God.” St. Joseph’s other feast day is on May 1 as St. Joseph the Worker, which coincides with the observance of Labor Day.