Saint Joseph

The Holy family is made up of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.  

Saint Joseph is the person that spent the most earthly hours and days with Jesus.  The names of his mother and father have been lost to history – unknown.  Genealogy research shows he was of the house of David, lineage through Solomon.  Also lost to history are the date and place of St. Joseph’s birth and the date of his death, so his chronological age is always based upon guesswork. 

When Joseph was told about Mary, he blamed himself, for he felt he had failed to protect her, crying “who is he who has deceived me?  Who did this evil thing in my house and defiled her?”.  Then Mary wept and said that she was pure.  To spare Mary any public shame, it was decided that she was to go into seclusion, and that the engagement would be broken.  But that very night an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Joseph do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.  She has conceived her child through the grace of the Holy Spirit.  It will be a son, and you must name him Jesus, for he will be the salvation of the world.”

Eight days after his birth, St. Joseph brings Jesus to the temple for circumcision, a requirement of the Jewish faith.  At this time, St. Joseph gives the baby the name “Jesus” and takes legal paternal custody, just as he was instructed by an angel in his dream.

An inexact few years later, an angel instructs St. Joseph to flee with his family to Egypt to elude death from Herod.  Later, a dream angel guides St. Joseph to return to the district of Galilee, which he does and creates a family home in the village of Nazareth. 

Once settled in Nazareth, with Jesus of an unknown age though certainly still in boyhood, Saint Joseph supports the family as a carpenter(framer, rough carpenter, etc.)

The last time we encounter Saint Joseph is in the description of Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem at the age of twelve.  Mary and Joseph had departed from Jerusalem to return home amidst a large entourage heading in the same general direction.  His parents assumed Jesus was in the entourage and were shocked to learn otherwise, and it is described St. Joseph and Mary returned to the temple and safely brought Jesus home.  Saint Joseph undoubtedly gave to Jesus on that occasion.

Tags: father of Jesus, Patron Saints, Saint Joseph, St Joseph

Category: Patron Saints