Though he was the earthly father of our Christ Jesus and one of the most recognizable saints, very little is recorded in the Bible about St. Joseph.

There are keywords in the Bible that described his character and the type of man he was. He was called the “just man,” which was a great commendation in his time. When he found out that Mary was with child, he did not want to expose her to public humiliation as he knew women accused of adultery would be stoned to death. Rather, he wanted to dismiss her privately and quietly. It was only after an angel appeared to him in a dream that he takes Mary as his wife, which showed how willing and open he was to God’s direction in his life.

He also loved Jesus like he was his own son and taught young Jesus carpentry. It was through this occupation that St. Joseph was able to provide for his family. However, despite his humble work and means, Joseph infact belonged to a royal lineage. It is revealed through the details of Joseph's genealogy that he is a descendant of David, the greatest king of Israel (Matthew 1:1-16 and Luke 3:23-38).

Historians believe that St. Joseph died on July 20, AD 18 in Nazareth, before Jesus began His public ministry. This is attested by the fact that he does not appear in the Bible during Jesus’s public life, death, or resurrection. He is called the Patron saint of the dying because he is thought to have died with Mary and Jesus at his side, the way we may all like to depart from this world.

St. Joseph is also the patron saint of the Universal Church, families, fathers, expectant mothers, travellers, immigrants, house sellers and buyers, craftsmen, engineers, and workers in general.

Because he is a patron saint for many causes, there are a variety of nine-day novenas and prayers for their intentions.

Many places like churches, schools, and streets have been named after the beloved St. Joseph, including the Spanish form, San Jose. He is also one of the saints who have two feast days. March 19 is the traditional feast day of St. Joseph, husband of Mary that has been on the liturgical calendar for many years – dating back to the 10th century. May 1 is the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, and it was established in 1955 by Pope Pius XII.

In art, Joseph is usually depicted as an older man with grey hair and a beard, often balding, feeble, and a minor character in comparison to Mary and Jesus. Joseph's staff is sometimes depicted with flowers atop in statues. A carpenter's square or tools, the infant Jesus, his lily flowered staff, two turtle doves, or a spikenard are all depicted as attributes of St. Joseph.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Alkmund of Northumbria
2. Saint John the Syrian of Pinna
3. Saint Lanoald of Maastricht
4. Saint Lactali of Freshford
5. Saint Pancharius of Nicomedia