Saint Joseph Feast Day: March 19

Brooklyn_Museum_-_Saint_Joseph_with_the_Flowering_Rod_-_Jusepe_de_Ribera_-_overall
Jusepe de Ribera, Saint Joseph with the Flowering Rod. early 1630s. Ribera conveys the unexpected wonder of the moment with the lighting from above and the aged Joseph’s questioning hand gesture (from en.wikipedia.org)

Ever wonder why statues and paintings of Joseph depict his staff topped with flowers? The flowered staff is a reminder of how Mary’s spouse was chosen.

According to legend, when the time came for Mary to be betrothed, the Temple priests gathered the walking sticks of all prospective suitors. Miraculously, Joseph’s burst into flower. This was a sign that God had chosen Joseph as the earthly spouse and guardian of Our Lady.

Pope Pius IX proclaimed Saint Joseph the patron of the Universal Church in 1870. Having died in the “arms of Jesus and Mary” according to Catholic tradition, he is considered the model of the pious believer who receives grace at the moment of death, in other words, the patron of a happy death.

Saint Joseph is the patron saint of a number of cities, regions and countries, among them the Americas, Canada, China, Croatia, Mexico, Korea, Austria, Belgium, Peru, the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as of families, fathers, expectant mothers (pregnant women), travelers, immigrants, house sellers and buyers, craftsmen, engineers, and working people in general.

35 minute prayer to Saint Joseph for challenges in personal or work life.

Struggling to find the right job breakthrough? Go to St Joseph!