Christian Men and Women

Saint Joseph

Joseph was a quiet, hard working man who loved God very much. He also loved Mary and wanted to marry her but when he heard that she was pregnant he was very upset. Joseph had a vision in which an angel appeared to him and told him that the baby that Mary was going to have was God's. The angel explained that Joseph had been chosen to support and protect Jesus. Joseph agreed to this and became a foster father to Jesus.

It is widely believed that Joseph was a carpenter. Very little other information on Joseph is given in the Gospels, in which he never speaks. His places of birth and death are not given. He is mentioned in the Gospels as present on the visit to Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve, but no mention can clearly be placed later than that one. Joseph is the patron Saint of workers and has several feast days. He is also the patron Saint of happy deaths as we are told that when he died he was with Mary and Jesus and was happy.

Amongst the virtues in his life Joseph displayed virtues of Prudence, Courage (Fortitude), Faith, Hope and Love (Charity).