St. Joseph's Day honors St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ and the husband of the Virgin Mary. It is observed as a solemn feast in the Catholic Church and recognized in other Christian traditions. The day is steeped in religious, cultural and culinary traditions, emphasizing St. Joseph's virtues of humility and faith.

Table of Contents

1. When is St. Joseph's Day?
2. The History of St. Joseph's Day?
3. What Do People Do on This Day?
4. More about St. Joseph

When is St. Joseph's Day?

St. Joseph's Day is celebrated annually on March 19th in the Catholic Church and many other Christian traditions.

The following is the list of St. Joseph's Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of St. Joseph's Day

The history of St. Joseph's Day dates back centuries and reflects the devotion to St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ and husband of the Virgin Mary. Recognized as a solemn feast in the Catholic Church, it has grown into a significant cultural and religious celebration around the world.

Devotion to St. Joseph began in the early Church, but it was not widely formalized until the Middle Ages. By the 9th century, St. Joseph was venerated as a model of virtue and protector of the Church.

The first official observance of St. Joseph's Day dates to the 10th century in some parts of Europe. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the feast gained prominence, especially in Italy and Spain.

In 1479, Pope Sixtus IV included St. Joseph's Day in the Roman calendar as a feast day. In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph the Patron of the Universal Church, elevating his feast day to greater significance.

Over time, the feast of St. Joseph became the highest rank of feast days in the Catholic Church. As a result, additional devotions, the Litany of St. Joseph and novenas, were established.

In the Middle Ages, St. Joseph's Day became especially significant in Sicily, Italy, where it is said St. Joseph answered prayers during a famine. In gratitude, Sicilians began the tradition of creating St. Joseph's Altars, offering food and thanks for his intercession. Devotion to St. Joseph spread across Europe, Latin America, and eventually the United States, adapting to local customs and cultures.

In 2020, Pope Francis declared a Year of St. Joseph (2020–2021) to commemorate the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph's designation as Patron of the Universal Church.

What Do People Do on This Day?

On St. Joseph's Day, people celebrate through a variety of religious, cultural and culinary traditions, honoring St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. The day blends solemnity with festivity, depending on regional customs and practices.

St. Joseph's Day is a Solemnity in the Catholic Church, and many attend a special Mass in his honor. The liturgy includes prayers and hymns that reflect St. Joseph's role as protector of the Holy Family and patron of the Church. Families and communities may pray for St. Joseph's intercession for fathers, workers, or those in need.

St. Joseph's Day is often celebrated with meatless meals, as the day falls during Lent, but the traditional dishes vary by region.

In some areas, people donate food or money to local charities. Sharing food with the less fortunate is a key part of the day's observance, reflecting St. Joseph's generosity.

In many places, St. Joseph's Day is celebrated with parades, music, and public feasts to honor St. Joseph.

More about St. Joseph

St. Joseph, a central figure in Christianity, is venerated as the earthly father of Jesus Christ, the husband of the Virgin Mary, and a model of faith and obedience to God. Though little is known about his life from the Bible, his role as a protector and provider for the Holy Family has made him one of the most revered saints in Christian tradition.

St. Joseph is described as a "righteous man" who lived in Nazareth, and he was a carpenter, symbolizing humility and hard work.

Joseph was chosen by God to be the earthly father of Jesus. His acceptance of Mary, despite her miraculous pregnancy, shows his faith and obedience. He received divine messages through dreams:
to take Mary as his wife, to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus to escape King Herod, and to return to Nazareth after Herod's death.

He cared for Mary and Jesus, ensuring their safety and providing for them through his work as a carpenter, and is honored as a guardian of the Church and families.

There are two Feast Days:

– St. Joseph's Day on March 19th celebrates his role as the protector of the Holy Family and model of fatherhood; and
– Feast of St. Joseph the Worker on May 1st was instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955 to honor the dignity of labor and St. Joseph's example as a worker.