feast day:
- March 19 (Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary)
- May 1 (Saint Joseph the Worker)
patronage: workers, carpenters, unborn children
about:
- born: 90 BC (apocryphal date), Bethlehem
- died: July 20, AD 18, (apocryphal date), Nazareth
- Joseph (Hebrew יוֹסֵף, Yosef; Greek: Ἰωσήφ, Ioseph)
- is a figure in the Gospels, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus and is venerated Saint Joseph in some Christian traditions. Christian tradition places Joseph as Jesus' foster father.
- Some historians state that Joseph was Jesus's father. Some differing views are due to theological interpretations versus historical views.
- The Pauline epistles make no reference to Jesus's father; nor does the Gospel of Mark.The first appearance of Joseph is in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Each contains a genealogy of Jesus showing ancestry from king David, but through different sons; Matthew follows the major royal line from Solomon, while Luke traces another line back to Nathan, another son of David and Bathsheba. Consequently, all the names between David and Joseph are different. According to Matthew 1:16 -> "Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary", while according to Luke 3:23 -> Joseph is said to be "[the son] of Heli". Some scholars reconcile the genealogies by viewing the Solomonic lineage in Matthew as Joseph's major royal line, and the Nathanic lineage in Luke to be Mary's minor line.
- attributes: Carpenter's square or tools, the infant Jesus, staff with lily blossoms, two turtle doves, spikenard.
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ANCIENT PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH
source: http://www.medjugorje.com/prayers/prayers-a-novenas-of-the-community/359-prayer-to-st-joseph-over-1900-years-old.html
O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen.
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LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH
source: https://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/Litanies/joseph.htm
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us (after each line)
Saint Joseph,
Renowned offspring of David,
Light of Patriarchs,
Spouse of the Mother of God,
Chaste guardian of the Virgin,
Foster-father of the Son of God,
Diligent protector of Christ,
Head of the Holy Family,
Joseph most just,
Joseph most chaste,
Joseph most prudent,
Joseph most strong,
Joseph most obedient,
Joseph most faithful,
Mirror of patience,
Lover of poverty,
Model of artisans,
Glory of home life,
Guardian of virgins,
Pillar of families,
Solace of the wretched, Hope of the sick,
Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons,
Protector of Holy Church,
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
He made him the lord of His household:
And prince over all His possessions.
Let us pray.
O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Saint Joseph,
Pray for us.
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links/ sources:
- "Saint Joseph" (Wikipedia):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Joseph
- "St. Joseph" (EWTN):
https://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjoseph.asp
- "Prayer to St. Joseph (over 1900 years old)- Taken from the "Pieta Book"" (Medjugorge):
http://www.medjugorje.com/prayers/prayers-a-novenas-of-the-community/359-prayer-to-st-joseph-over-1900-years-old.html
- "An Ancient Prayer to Saint Joseph: A Powerful Novena" (About - Religion - Catholicism):
http://catholicism.about.com/od/tosaintjoseph/qt/Ancient_Prayer.htm
- "Novena to St. Joseph" (EWTN):
https://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/novena/joseph.htm
- "Litany of St. Joseph" (EWTN):
https://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/Litanies/joseph.htm
