St Joseph's Day

Origin and history

Joseph was the husband of the Virgin Mary and the legal father of Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew tells how he took Mary and Jesus to safety in Egypt. The date of 19 March was dedicated to Saint Joseph in several Western calendars by the 10th century, and in 1570 Pope Pius V extended the feast to the whole Roman Rite.

Joseph is the patron saint of Canada, and Pope Pius IX named him Patron of the Universal Church.

Customs

• In Catholic countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy and Croatia, it is also Father's Day.
• Some families build home altars to Saint Joseph and carry blessed dried fava beans.
• In California, 19 March is the day the swallows are traditionally said to return to Mission San Juan Capistrano.

How traditions differ

The feast is a solemnity in the Catholic Church and is also kept in Anglican and Lutheran calendars. Eastern churches honour Joseph on the Sunday after Christmas.

In the library

Works: The Bible

More in Lent

Shrove Tuesday · Ash Wednesday · Lent · St Patrick's Day · The Annunciation