The feast of Saint Joseph is celebrated every year on 19 March by the Catholic Church. It is a day dedicated to a discreet but essential man in the history of salvation: the husband of the Virgin Mary, the adoptive father of Jesus, the faithful guardian of the Holy Family. Long in the shadows, Joseph is now recognised as a model of faith, hard work, humility and trust in God. His feast day is a precious opportunity for believers to meditate on the silent but powerful role he played in the life of Christ and in the divine plan.
A just and obedient man
The Gospels tell us little about Joseph, but that little says a lot. In the Gospel according to Matthew, he is described as a "righteous man". In the Bible, this term refers to someone who lives according to God's will, who is upright, kind and faithful. Joseph never speaks in the Gospels, but he always acts with discernment and faith.
When Mary, promised in marriage, finds herself pregnant through the action of the Holy Spirit, Joseph is initially upset. He considers repudiating her in secret, so as not to expose her to shame. But an angel appeared to him in a dream and revealed God's plan. Joseph obeyed without hesitation: he welcomed Mary into his home, took care of her and recognised the child as his own. It is this obedience, immediate and silent, that makes him a model for all Christians.
The protector of the Holy Family
Joseph is not only Mary's husband: he is also the protector of the Christ Child. After the birth in Bethlehem, it was again he who, warned in a dream, took his family and fled to Egypt to escape Herod's violence. Later, he returns to settle in Nazareth, where he raises Jesus in simplicity and fidelity.
He is the very image of the caring father, the hard-working man, the discreet guide. He does not seek to put himself forward, but fulfils his role as guardian to the full. This is why the Church has given him the title of "Patron Saint of the Universal Church": just as he watched over Jesus as a child, today he watches over the Body of Christ that is the Church.
The feast of 19 March
The solemnity of Saint Joseph on 19 March dates back to the Middle Ages, and spread throughout the Latin Church in the 15th century. Today it is one of the most important feasts in the liturgical calendar. On this day, many parishes organise masses in his honour, processions, prayers and times of adoration.
In some countries and regions, such as Italy, Spain, Quebec or certain religious communities, this feast day is also the occasion for family and popular celebrations. In Sicily, for example, Saint Joseph is particularly venerated: altars rich in food are prepared in his honour and then distributed to the poor, in recognition of his role as provider and benevolent father.
The model for workers
In addition to his feast day on 19 March, Joseph is also celebrated on 1 May under the title of "Saint Joseph the Craftsman", instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955. On this day, the Church emphasises the importance of human work, not as a mere utilitarian task, but as participation in God's work.
Joseph, a carpenter by trade, reminds us of the dignity of daily work. He teaches that any task, no matter how humble, can be sanctified if it is lived in love and fidelity. He is therefore also a model for workers, fathers of families, educators, men of silence and action.
The spirituality of Saint Joseph
The figure of Joseph is a source of profound spirituality. He embodies the inner man, centred on listening to God. He seeks neither honours nor recognition. He acts with confidence, even in times of uncertainty. He accepts what he does not yet understand, and moves forward in faith.
This unreserved trust makes him an example for all those who live in complex situations: those who are seeking their way, those who bear family or professional responsibilities, those who experience the trial of doubt or inner exile. Joseph shows that you can be a saint by living simply, faithfully, welcoming each day as a call from God.
A contemporary and universal figure
Saint Joseph is today a more contemporary figure than ever. At a time when landmarks are crumbling, when fatherhood is often questioned, when silence and discretion are rare, he shows us the value of quiet fidelity, of quiet service, of hidden strength.
Pope Francis dedicated an apostolic letter to him entitled Patris Corde ("With a father's heart") in 2020, on the 150th anniversary of his proclamation as patron saint of the Church. In this letter, the Pope recalls how close Joseph is to everyone: "He knows how to make fruitful what seems sterile, he knows how to transform a trial into a path of hope."
Conclusion
To celebrate Saint Joseph is to honour a man of silence and faith, an adoptive father, a worker, a believer on the move. It means recognising holiness in everyday gestures, in faithfulness to commitments, in discreet but powerful love. On 19 March, may we all turn to him and confide in him our joys, our burdens and our choices. For Joseph, in his simplicity and his attentiveness to God, continues to watch over us, as he once watched over Jesus and Mary.
