St Joseph Feast Day March 19th St. Joseph pray for us

Who was St. Joseph? We know that Joseph was a descendant of King David. An angel appeared to Joseph and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Joseph was engaged to Mary Joseph was betrothed to Mary. In those times a “betrothal” was even more of a promise than an “engagement” is to us. Mary told Joseph that she was going to have a baby. Mary’s baby was the Son of God.

An angel appeared to Joseph and said, “Joseph, son David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” So he took Mary home with him. It showed his trust in God. Joseph had a Dream Painting is “St Joseph’s Dream”

Birth of Jesus Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem for the census. They were unable to find a room for the night. Joseph wanted the best possible place for Mary to give birth. He experienced great joy when he saw the new-born baby, Jesus, the Son of God. God gave the role of earthly father of Jesus to Joseph because he was a kind and caring man. He is known as the ‘foster-father’ of Jesus.

The Flight into Egypt Soon after Jesus was born an angel came to Joseph and warned him that his family were in danger because King Herod wanted to kill Jesus. Joseph immediately took Mary and Jesus to Egypt and remained there until the angel told them it was safe to return (Matthew 2:13-23). This is known as the “Flight into Egypt.”

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to Jerusalem “to present him to the Lord” (Luke 2:22). This was in order to do what the Jewish law told them. Every male child was to be taken to the temple. Mary and Joseph took two turtle doves as their offering for their baby.

The Finding of the Child Jesus in the temple Jesus was 12 years old when he accompanied Mary and Joseph on pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Unknown to them Jesus stayed behind in the temple instead of coming home with them. After 3 days Joseph and Mary found Him sitting in the temple with the priests and elders teaching them! Read more in Luke 2: 42-51

The ‘hidden years’ After Jesus was found in the temple, he returned to live in obedience to Mary and Joseph. He lived with them from the age of 12 to 30. At the age of 30 he started his work among the people. Joseph taught Jesus how to work with wood and how, as the Holy Family, they would have prayed together.

The death of St. Joseph Joseph died a happy death in the arms of Jesus and Mary, whom he had loved so much. The Church has chosen St. Joseph to be the special patron of a happy death.