The Saintly Almanac- Exploring the stories of the Saints: Saint Joseph
- spoiled bean dip
- Mar 5
- 3 min read
Saint Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ and the husband of the Virgin Mary, holds a revered place in Christian tradition. Though little is recorded about him in the Bible, he is honored for his faith, humility, and dedication to his family. The Gospels describe this first century jewish man as a righteous father, a carpenter by trade, and a protector of the Holy Family. According to the Gospel of Matthew, when he discovered that Mary was with child, he initially planned to quietly divorce her to avoid public shame (because duh!) But fortunately an angel appeared to him in a dream, assuring him that Mary’s pregnancy was divinely ordained. So Joseph obediently took Mary as his wife and later fled with her and the infant Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod’s massacre of the innocents. Despite his prominent role in Christ’s early life, Joseph fades from the biblical narrative, and tradition suggests he passed away before Jesus' public ministry. Because of this, he is also regarded as the patron saint of a peaceful death, as he is believed to have died in the presence of Jesus and Mary.
Saint Joseph in Folklore and Popular Devotion
Over the centuries, Saint Joseph has been the subject of numerous legends, customs, and traditions. Some of the most well-known include:
Burying a Saint Joseph Statue to sell a house
This a popular spell Margie loves to tell people whenever they stress about selling their property. If a homeowner ever desires to sell their house within a short amount of time all they have to do is bury a statue of this saint in the front yard, and pray for his intercession. Once the house is sold, the statue is typically dug up and placed in the new home as an expression of gratitude for the Saint. This tradition is believed to have originated with European monks in the Middle Ages, who would bury medals or statues of Saint Joseph while praying for land to be acquired for monasteries.
Saint Joseph’s Table
A beloved tradition, particularly among Italian and Sicilian Catholics, is the Saint Joseph’s Table (or La Tavola di San Giuseppe). This feast, celebrated on March 19th, honors Saint Joseph as the provider and protector during a rather harsh famine in Sicily during the Middle Ages. When the famine ended they prepared lavish tables of food to share with the community in honor of the saint, and it is custom that no person is turned away from the table. Traditional foods added are breads in the shapes of his staff, baby Jesus, a sheaf of wheat, a heart, his beard for some reason, and his purse.
St. Joseph is most often recognized as the patron Saint of fathers/ fatherly figures, workers and carpenters, peaceful transitions, those selling their properties, and (according to Saint Joseph's university) the New World, China, Canada, Korea, Austria, and among other countries.
Some of his symbols include white lilies, carpenter tools, and two turtle doves (presumably without a partridge in a pear tree). Colors often linked to him are usually brown or green, but you could also use red or gold when working with the Saint.
Something else I wanted to mention was not only does he have a feast day on March 19th, but in 1955 the Catholic church announced that May 1st would be the feast day of Saint Joseph the worker, making him one of the few saints to have more than one feast day!
Conclusion
Saint Joseph’s legacy as a protector, provider, and humble servant continues to inspire millions of believers. His feast days, traditions, and folklore reflect the deep reverence people hold for him across different cultures. Whether through the practice of burying his statue, celebrating his feast with grand tables, or those seeking fatherly advice, Saint Joseph remains a cherished and powerful saint in the Christian faith!
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