Unraveling the Mystery of Saint Joseph, the Earthly Father of Jesus Christ
“A saint is an ordinary person who lived an extraordinary life.”
By Maridee Dangoy-Belmonte
Editor’s Notes
This article on St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ, is the first in a new section called “Heroes and Saints.” The Solace Journal Team introduced this category to inform readers about individuals who were pivotal in making positive influences to the human condition in the hope that readers would be inspired to also make beneficial changes in their own lives and society.
Disclaimer: Despite this article’s terminology and reference to religious entities, events, and symbols, it is not for Catholics only. Solace Journal remains true to its commitment to inclusivity. Our team members follow different faith ideologies and the Catholics among us are merely sharing both their heritage and what they have researched to everyone regardless of background and inclination. This blog entry (and others in this category or following the same theme) is meant to inform and not to advise, influence, or convert anyone to adopt any religion or theological belief.
The current purpose of the concept of the “saint” differs from that propagated centuries ago. There was a dark period in history when the “saint ideology” was used by certain nations to subdue and control the natives of the lands they conquered. The positive reason most agree on today is that the saints existed to serve as models of good conduct and exemplary living.
Some Christian denominations criticize Catholics for idolatry because they misconstrue their siblings in Christ as “worshiping” statues of the Blessed Mary and the saints. They don’t. The Catholic Church explains this practice of “venerating” said images as keeping mere representations of the saints in the same way people of all faiths cherish photographs and videos of their loved ones.
For centuries, Catholics have turned to the saints for solace and hope. They also get ideas on how to solve problems from the various ways these holy individuals conducted their daily activities when they were alive. Our Catholic team members familiarized themselves with their life stories to share what they learned with you, so we could all gain some (celestial) wisdom, which we could apply in our lives.
St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus and spouse of Mother Mary, is known by many titles. As Head of the Holy Family, he protected them when they were on earth. As Patron Saint of Workers, he offers career guidance and helps the unemployed find jobs. As Patron of the Universal Church, he offers unwavering support to its conservation. As Terror of Demons, he provides powerful intercession against evil forces. The sick turn to him for healing. The dying ask for his companionship in their transition into the next life.
The Invitation
On a beautiful Saturday morning in March, after my husband and I attended the devotional mass to Our Lady of Good Peace and Voyage (The Philippine Virgin of Antipolo) at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception [1], I received a message from a high school classmate. We were not close friends back then, but through the benefits of social media, we reconnected.
I learned that she is a member of the motivational blog, the Solace Journal. She asked if I could be part of their editorial team and be a regular contributor. Initially, I had my doubts. However, when she said I could start with Saint Joseph’s life story if I joined them, I surprised myself when I replied with a resounding yes and agreed to write for this purpose. I thought it was an honor and privilege to even be considered to submit anything.
March 19 was St. Joseph’s feast day as the Head of the Holy Family. I was tasked to write his mini biography along with informing Solace Journal readers about his “Seven Joys and Sorrows,” which few people know about. Most Christians typically focus on Jesus and Mary when it comes to the Holy Family.
Instinct (which our Catholic faith tells us must be the Holy Spirit) told my classmate to reach out to me before February 27—the start of the Catholic Church’s recommendation for parishioners to hear mass (church services) for seven Sundays leading up to his feast day. But she contacted me only three days before his feast day. Back then, we both had urgent commitments, so his commemorative day went past and plans for publishing his bio fell by the wayside.
My classmate said she was filled with remorse for missing the intended publication date, not because she looked at it as a normal deadline, but one imposed from above. Still, we both agreed to publish the article on a “normal” day even if it was too late for his commemorative date.
Fast forward to April. We learned that St. Joseph had another feast day: May 1 as St. Joseph the Worker, making him the patron saint of laborers, craftspeople, anyone with a livelihood, and those needing help with their professions. The Church has a similar recommendation for this celebration: nine days of novenas leading up to that feast day starting April 22.
(A novena is a type of worship comprising special services or prayers held on nine consecutive days.)
So not only were we given a second chance to publish his story, we found out we weren’t really late! So here’s what I found out about him.
Historical Records
I learned more about St. Joseph a couple of years ago when Pope Francis declared January 1, 2020 to December 8, 2021 the Year of St. Joseph. It commemorated the 150th anniversary of Pope Pius IX’s declaration of St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church in his decree, Quemadmodum Deus (literal translation: “As God”).
Together with a group of friends in our faith community, Couples for Christ, we read Marian Father Donald Calloway’s book, Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father. It was an eye-opener for me because that was how I discovered that St. Joseph has many titles, which were outlined in his litany. (A litany is a series of recurring petitions led by the clergy to which parishioners respond. It is used in church services.)
His Age
There is much contention about St Joseph’s age. Many works of art the Catholic Church commissioned portrayed St. Joseph as an old man. This painting by Guido Reni is an example.
Some books excluded from the Bible purport to this, ie: Joseph was in his advanced years at the time Jesus was born. Those accounts claim that he was much older than Mary because he was a widower with children before he married her—which explains some texts alluding to Jesus’ “brothers and sisters.”
However, historical records state otherwise. In Joseph and Mary’s time, it was customary for people to marry in their teens because arranged marriages were the norm. Most couples were “set up” by their parents from childhood. So historians believed both Joseph and Mary were young when they got married and when Jesus was born.
His Silence
Researching more about St. Joseph, I learned that the Church also noted his tendency to remain in the background. The Vatican News referred to this special characteristic as “hiddenness.” Strange, but the Gospels don’t have a record of any speech, verse, or written work attributed to him. The last account in the Bible of his earthly presence was when he and Mary “lost” the 12-year-old Jesus but subsequently found him in a temple in Jerusalem. After that incident, there was no further mention of him.
His Passing
Scholars presumed that by the time Jesus began his public life—starting with the wedding in Cana—Joseph had already passed into the next life, although they don’t know exactly when or where he died. And his burial place remains a mystery.
Philip Kosloski, a writer for Aleteia, agrees but presents a specific time frame for the saint’s living years in his article, “Eight Devotions to St. Joseph that lead you closer to Jesus.”
He said, “According to tradition, Joseph died just before Jesus entered into his public ministry,” estimating that he spent 30 years with Jesus and Mary on earth. This is the reason for the 30-day prayer honoring St. Joseph.
Were We Chosen?
On a personal note, I realized that I always had multiple images of St. Joseph, as I have a small collection of nativity sets—being my namesake (Natividad), since my birthday falls on Christmas Day. However, my attention was always on Baby Jesus and Mama Mary (as we fondly call her). St. Joseph was just in the background for me.
Later, I learned from St. Peter Julian Eymard’s book, The Month of St. Joseph, that “St. Joseph was the epitome of Eucharistic devotion and the first adorer.” Theologian Scott Hahn explained that this meant Joseph was indisputably the first to practice “perpetual adoration” by loving Jesus all the time: “at home, in the workshop, in the synagogue, and on the road.”
It’s so heartwarming to discover that St. Eymard also said, “Devotion to St. Joseph is one of the choicest graces that God can give to a soul, for it is tantamount to revealing the entire treasury of our Lord’s graces. When God wishes to raise a soul to greater heights, he unites it to St. Joseph by giving it a strong love for the good saint.” Brother Stephen J. mentioned this passage in his article, “The Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St. Joseph” published in The Divine Mercy’s website.
What impact does this statement have for me and my classmate, since we both never thought of St. Joseph in a major way other than recognizing him as Jesus’ human dad? Why did she have the sudden urge to contact me at a specific time frame regarding this particular saint and why had I responded positively right away? We would like to think we had been chosen to spread this great news.
Joy and Sorrow
I did not have a good grasp of St. Joseph’s Seven Joys and Sorrows, since I’m more familiar with our Blessed Mother’s. Considering the devotional prayer to the Virgin of Antipolo, which we always prayed, I realized that his Seven Joys and Sorrows were not too different from hers. In fact, they were closely aligned, according to St. Eymard.
He said that since “St. Joseph was associated with Mary in her glorious privileges, he also had to suffer like her and his heart too was pierced by seven swords.”
This is the said prayer and italicized are St. Joseph’s Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys:
The Prayer to Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage
O Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Virgin of Antipolo, look kindly upon the needs of your children, as we journey to our home in heaven. For you, O Mother, know full well what it is to travel on the road.
From that room in Nazareth where you received the joyful news from the angel Gabriel, you taught us the generosity of a Christian obedience that surrenders and entrusts all to Divine Providence.
First Sorrow: St. Joseph Resolves to Leave Mary Quietly (Matthew 1:19)
First Joy: St. Joseph’s Annunciation (Matthew 1:20)
In your journey to that stable in Bethlehem on that first Christmas night, you taught us how to treasure in our hearts the overwhelming graciousness of Our Father.
Second Sorrow: The Poverty of Jesus’ Birth (Luke 2:7)
Second Joy: The Birth of the Savior (Luke 2: 10-11)
In your flight to Egypt with your newborn, you taught us a quiet courage that springs from a firm faith in God, even in the face of great danger and suffering.
Third Sorrow: The Circumcision (Luke 2:21)
Third Joy: The Holy Name of Jesus (Matthew 1:25)
Fourth Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34)
Fourth Joy: The Effects of the Redemption (Luke 2:38)
Fifth Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:14)
Fifth Joy: The Overthrow of the Idols of Egypt (Isaiah 19:1)
Sixth Sorrow: The Return from Egypt (Matthew 2:22)
Sixth Joy: Life with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth (Luke 2:39)
Seventh Sorrow: The Loss of the Child Jesus (Luke 2:45)
Seventh Joy: The Finding of the Child Jesus (Luke 2:46)
In that sorrowful climb up to Calvary on that fateful Friday afternoon, you taught us how a human love can rise to greater heights by self-giving and forgiveness when transformed and united to ineffable Divine Love.
O Mother, you give us so much hope and encouragement by your example of filial love and discipleship. As you accompanied Christ in your journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, from Egypt to Galilee and finally to Calvary, you discovered the loving presence of God in ever new ways.
O Mother, as we undertake our own journey on this road, accompany us in our discovery of God in our lives and in our brothers and sisters. Make us see Him with the eyes of our hearts, and help us to know Him and to grow deeper in His love through life’s joys and pains. And at our journey’s end, lead us to the doorsteps of heaven and bring us to your Son, Jesus, who has secured and prepared for us a place in our Father’s home. Amen.
Personal Testimony
From that day in March to the days leading to the monthly devotional mass to Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in April, I testify that personal prayer petitions were answered. I truly believe they were granted through the intercession of St. Joseph.
On the morning of March 19, St. Joseph’s feast day, my heart jumped when his medallion and blessed fava bean [2]—which I received from our parish’s celebration honoring him—just reappeared when I opened a kitchen drawer. I immediately attached the medallion to my work ID badge and hung the bean in our pantry. That week, I received two answers to my prayers regarding our family’s current financial situation: one through the mail and the other from work. I was waiting for the latter for more than a year, so I was beginning to doubt if it will ever materialize, but it did!
The fava bean (aka “lucky bean”) was pivotal in establishing St. Joseph’s place in Sicilian society and instigated a global movement of altars laden with food meant for sharing with the poor. See footnotes for a mini history of this legume and its connection to St. Joseph’s altar [3].
The fava bean from the Sicilian tradition of St. Joseph’s altar serves as a reminder of God’s provisions through his intercession. Indeed, it came through for my family!
The Significance of St. Joseph the Worker’s Feast Day
Joseph raised Jesus to follow his profession as a carpenter. In doing so, he inculcated in his son the dignity of human work. In the same way, he also showed us that work is our participation in the Divine Plan when we share our time, talents, and treasures with each other, the community, and especially the Catholic Church. This can only be achieved by the grace of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament first and foremost. It also helps to acknowledge that all we are and all we have are gifts from above.
Thank you, St. Joseph, for your example and interceding for our family. May God be praised!
Notes from the Solace Journal Team
[1] The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the USA’s national and patronal church. The Bishops of America established it through the generosity of the nation’s Catholics. It is the largest Catholic church in North America, one of the 10 largest in the world, and the tallest habitable building in Washington, DC. According to the shrine’s website, its Knights Tower counts as its highest point (329 feet), almost as high as the Washington Monument.
[2] The fava bean is linked to St. Joseph in that Sicilians, who embrace him as their patron saint, credit him—through this “lucky bean”—in saving them during a severe drought in the Middle Ages. Sicilians and other Italians call him San Giuseppe.
Interestingly, the fava bean is known as the world’s oldest legume, having existed for thousands of years. Traditionally used as cattle feed, it was the only crop that survived that famine. So Sicilians resorted to eating it to survive. From then on, survivors of that catastrophe and their descendants have honored St. Joseph with a special altar with that bean occupying pride of place amid their farm produce.
[3] The practice of setting up this tribute to him has since become a Catholic tradition. Known as St. Joseph’s altar, it consists of three tiers to symbolize the Great Triumvirate: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. A statue of St. Joseph is at the center of the top level. The typical altar is shaped like a cross, but variations like the one below are also common.
From its origin in Sicilian homes, businesses, and churches, St. Joseph’s altar spread throughout the world, including Louisiana in the US, via Italian immigrants. In New Orleans, St. Joseph’s feast day coincides with Mardi Gras, so floats and parades dedicated to him join celebrations of the latter.
On St. Joseph’s feast day, church staff give parishioners visiting his altar goodie bags containing replicas of his medallion and blessed dried fava beans, along with other symbolic items (including bread in the shape of religious objects and carpenter’s tools).
St. Joseph’s devotees believe the legumes bring good fortune, unlimited money, and abundance. That’s why they hang dried varieties in their kitchen or place them in their wallets and bags.
Today, a St. Joseph’s altar isn’t just a gratitude offering for being saved from famine but also a request for delivery from illness, war, or other types of danger. It is also a symbol of thanks for healing the body, mind, and spirit.
At the end of St. Joseph’s feast day, altars dedicated to him are broken down and the food used to decorate them is given to the poor. Donations collected during the celebrations are distributed to charities.
The Church grants those who honor St. Joseph “plenary indulgences,” which are like tokens of forgiveness that reduce the amount of punishment for people’s sins.
Resources on St. Joseph
1. If you want to learn more about St. Joseph but don’t have time to read massive religious volumes, Christine Vincent suggests reading literature for children.
See her article, “Saint Joseph Books and Resources for Catholic Kids,” and scroll down to the section on juvenile books.
2. Access Father Calloway’s book on St. Joseph here.
3. To pray the Litany of St. Joseph, visit the Global Catholic Network.
4. To know more about Saint Joseph’s Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys, check out this article.
5. During the Seven Sundays of Devotion to St. Joseph—observed on the Sundays leading to his March 19 feast—the faithful contemplate on a series of events in his life called the “Seven Sorrows and Joys.” Doing so will help them confront their own. View the detailed prayers here.
Lesser-known titles of St. Joseph, some of which are mentioned in his litany
Silent Guardian of the Holy Family
Protector of virgins
Model of humility and obedience
Hope of the sick
Patron of exiles
Patron of the afflicted and the poor
Patron saint of a happy death
Commemorative Dates
St. Joseph is commemorated through many Christian traditions: prayers, devotions, and feast days. Churches and communities hold services and events in honor of his life and teachings.
These are some of them:
January 23—The Feast of the Holy Spouses
March 19—His principal feast as the earthly father of Jesus, the spouse of the Virgin Mary, and patron of the Universal Church
May 1—As St. Joseph the Worker, he is the patron saint of workers and Sicily. On this day, devotees request his intercession for a successful and harmonious career.
The whole month of March
Wednesdays
The 19th of each month
The Sunday after Christmas—His feast as Head of the Holy Family and as patron saint of families
Some countries celebrate St. Joseph’s Day to coincide with Father’s Day because he is also the patron saint of fathers.
About the Author
Maridee is a mother to two sons and a devoted wife to a loving husband. She and her spouse are members of Couples for Christ in Maryland. She is a Paulinian—an alumna of Saint Paul College (now University), Philippines. She currently lives near Washington, DC.
She is an active participant in the charity, CFC ANCOP. CFC stands for Couples for Christ, a Catholic family renewal community. ANCOP stands for Answering the Cry of the Poor, a non-profit organization the CFC founded.
Maridee follows the credo of Saint Teresa of Calcutta: “God has not called me to be successful. He has called me to be faithful.”
References
“St. Joseph the Worker, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patron of Workers”. Vatican News website.
Brother Stephen J, MIC. “The Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St. Joseph”. The Divine Mercy website. 2022.
Pronechen, Joseph. “St. Joseph Experienced the Greatest Holy Hours in History”. National Catholic Register. 2024.
Kosloski, Philip. “8 Devotions to St. Joseph that lead you closer to Jesus”. Aleteia. 2021.
“Five (Really Important) Lessons to Learn From St. Joseph”. Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land. 2022.
“Biography of St. Joseph”. Encyclopedia Britannica. 2024.
Calloway, Father Donald H. “Consecration to Saint Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father”. St. Joseph’s Press, Missouri. 2019.
Crites, Hannah. “Here’s Why You Should Add the Seven Joys and Sorrows of St. Joseph to Your List of Devotions”. 2024.
“A guide to the St. Joseph’s Day altars”. Uptown Messenger. 2024.
“St. Joseph’s altars: What they mean and where to find them”. Gentilly Messenger. 2024.
Astfalk, Carolyn. “13 Simple Ways to Foster Devotion to St. Joseph”. Catholic Mom. Holy Cross Family Ministries. 2021.
Tracey, Kirstyn. “10 Facts About Saint Joseph”. facts.net. 2024.
“St. Joseph’s Day”. New Orleans website.
“History of St. Joseph’s Altars”. Immaculate Conception and the Mission of the Sacred Heart.
“History of the St. Joseph Altar”. Virtual St. Joseph Altar. 2024.
Vallejo, Courtney. “Consecration to St. Joseph”. Catholic Mom. Holy Cross Family Ministries. 2021.
“Symbols in the St. Joseph’s Day Altar”. St. Benilde Catholic Church website.
Image Credits
Main photo with celestial background: Leonardo
Digital illustration of St. Joseph and the Baby Jesus: Rose Dollente
St. Joseph and the Child Jesus in a Belgian church: Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 1.0 (generic license)
St. Joseph as an old man: Guido Reni, public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Wedding in Cana: MS-BIC
Nativity scene: Jinu Joseph
St. Joseph and the Child Jesus in Poland: Jakub Pabis
Fava beans: Ilaria M.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: Shubert Ciencia, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 (generic license)
St. Joseph’s altar: Bart Everson, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 (generic license)
St. Joseph and the Baby Jesus in Ecuador: Gabriel Manjarres
Author’s profile photo: Rose Dollente
Comments