Feast of Saint
Joseph the Worker

Year of Saint Joseph December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021 Scott 1764 (2021) On May 1, the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. This feast was initiated in 1955 by Pope Pius XII, as a Christian counterbalance to May Day (International Workers Day), which was being utilized primarily by communist and socialist movements as a commemoration of the working class. March 19 is the main feast day for Saint Joseph, which focuses on his role as the husband the Blessed Mother Mary and foster father of Jesus Christ. Today’s feast specifically honors the dignity of human labor and Joseph’s life as a carpenter. His occupation is not discussed in detail in the Bible, and the following passages are the only references to Joseph as a carpenter: In Matthew 13:55, when Jesus begins teaching ministry, the crowd asks, "Is not this the carpenter's son?" In Mark 6:3, in a similar account, the townspeople ask, "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary...", implying that Jesus followed his foster father's trade, which was the custom in those times for sons to learn their father's craft. Joseph is thus portrayed as a manual laborer, a carpenter, and a “blue collar” worker, befitting the simple life lived by the Holy Family. As such, he serves as a role model for all laborers who work to provide for their families, regardless of their station in life. Saint Joseph in this role is the patron for workers, craftsmen, and those seeking employment. Joseph is presented in innumerable works of art and on many stamps issued by Vatican City, but rarely by himself. He is seen in scenes of the nativity as well as other portrayals of the Holy Family. The souvenir sheet shown at the top of this article was issued for the Year of Saint Joseph and portrays Joseph as he holds the Christ Child. When presented as “the worker”, he is often holding the tools of his trade—usually a hammer and a carpenter’s square. Here is a nice painting presenting Joseph with the young Jesus, plying his trade and teaching his son in his workshop: "Saint Joseph the Carpenter" By Georges de La Tour (circa 1642) From Wikimedia Commons, in the Public Domain REFERENCES: National Catholic Register, The Story Behind the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, www.usccb.org, Gospels of Matthew and Mark Vatican Philatelic Society website, www.vaticanstamps.org, Stamp Database Search