On March 19, the Catholic Church honored the memory of St. Joseph, the Hoop of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In some countries, St. Joseph's Day ( Feast of St. Joseph ) is an official public holiday, in some countries fathers honor their fathers on this day, for example, in Spain and Italy. In addition, St. Joseph is considered the patron saint of Belgium.
St. Joseph came from the family of David. As a carpenter in Nazareth, he became engaged to the Virgin Mary, however, before they got married, his bride conceived from the Holy Spirit.
When her condition became clear, Joseph was embarrassed and even reflected on Maria's marital infidelity. Therefore, he intended to part with her « quietly », that is, without publicity, secretly letting her go. However, the Angel, who appeared to Joseph in a dream, announced to him that the baby expected by Maria — is a blessed gift from the Holy Spirit. Joseph received Mary and lived with her in a virgin marriage.
Joseph's religious veneration arose after the 13th century, in 1479 Pope Sixtus IV introduced a celebration in honor of Joseph the Hoop in the entire Roman Catholic Church, Pope Gregory XV declared him liturgically established in memory day in 1621, Pope Benedict XIII in 1726 included Joseph in the litany of all Saints.
Since 1870, St. Joseph has been the patron saint of the Ecumenical Church ( the secret of Pope Pius IX ), as well as the Order Societies, Brotherhoods and Unions bearing his name. He is honored as the patron of spouses and Christian families, children, youth, virgins, orphans, educators, travelers, prisoners, dying, as well as workers and artisans, lumberjacks, engineers, sappers.