Joseph is the saintly soul who was fortunate enough to be the foster father of the Son of God who came to earth as the Savior of the world. The Gospel calls him ‘righteous’. Saint Joseph was born about 25 B.C. Although there are differences of opinion as to his place of birth, it is more likely that he was born in Bethlehem.
When he was about twelve years old, he went to Jerusalem to study science according to the custom of that period. In those days it was compulsory for all Jewish children to be employed in some form of occupation. There are also many opinions about the occupation that Joseph practiced. The Aramaic word translated as ‘carpenter’ means those who work in gold, silver, iron, stone, and wood. In any case, it is more plausible to say that the saint was a carpenter.
Tradition shows that God was instrumental in choosing Joseph to be the husband of the Blessed Virgin.
Joseph’s life later became a testimony to a pious life. He painfully recognizes the fact that his wife, whom he loved so much, is pregnant. Joseph was still careful not to defame his wife. The saint who realizes the will of God through a dream submits himself to it. Therefore, God gave him the foster fatherhood of the supreme Son of God, the authority to name the Son of God, and the responsibility to protect him.
The Gospel depicts Joseph’s distress and suffering in order to protect his son and mother. The last mention of Joseph in the Gospels is when he went to the feast with Christ at the age of twelve. It is believed that the saint was called to heaven long before the public life of Jesus.
The Church worships Joseph as the mediator of a good death and the Patron of the Church. He is also the mediator of the workers and the working families.