St. Joseph's Day among Western Christians (19/03)

On March 19, the Catholic Church honors the memory of St. Joseph, Betrothed of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In some countries, St. Joseph's Day (Feast of St. Joseph is an official national holiday; in some countries, fathers are honored on this day, for example, in Spain and Italy. In addition, Saint Joseph is considered the patron saint of Belgium.

Saint Joseph came from the family of David. As a carpenter in Nazareth, he became engaged to the Virgin Mary, however, before they married, his bride conceived from the Holy Spirit.

When her condition became clear, Joseph was embarrassed and even reflected on Mary's adultery. Therefore, he intended to part with her «quiet», that is, without publicity, secretly releasing her. However, the Angel, who appeared to Joseph in a dream, told him that the baby expected by Mary — was a gracious gift from the Holy Spirit. Joseph received Mary and lived with her in a virgin marriage.

Religious veneration of Joseph arose after the 13th century, in 1479 Pope Sixtus IV introduced a holiday in honor of Joseph the Betrothed throughout the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Gregory XV declared it in 1621 a liturgically established day of remembrance, Pope Benedict XIII in 1726 included Joseph in the litany of all Saints.

Since 1870, Saint Joseph has been the patron saint of the universal church (decree of Pope Pius IX), as well as the order societies, brotherhoods and unions bearing his name. He is revered as the patron saint of spouses and Christian families, children, youth, virgins, orphans, educators, travelers, prisoners, dying, as well as workers and artisans, woodcutters, engineers, sappers.

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