Saint Joseph's Day facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Feast of Saint Joseph |
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Saint Joseph with the Infant Jesus by Guido Reni, c 1635
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| Observed by | Catholic Church Lutheran Church Anglican Churches |
| Celebrations | Carrying blessed fava beans, wearing red-coloured clothing, assembling home altars dedicated to Saint Joseph, attending a Saint Joseph's Day parade |
| Observances | Church attendance at Mass or Divine Service |
| Begins | 19 March |
| Date | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 132: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Frequency | every year (annual) |
Saint Joseph's Day, celebrated on March 19, is also known as the Feast of Saint Joseph. It is a very important day for many Christians, especially in Western Christianity. This day honors Saint Joseph, who was the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. He is also seen as the legal father of Jesus.
For the Catholic Church, Saint Joseph's Day is a special kind of celebration called a solemnity. This means it's one of the most important feast days. It is also celebrated by Anglican and Lutheran churches.
Saint Joseph's Day is a special day for many groups and places. It is the main feast day for countries like Poland and Canada. People named Joseph or Josephine also celebrate it as their special day. It is important for religious institutes, schools, and churches named after Saint Joseph. Carpenters also honor him, as Joseph was a carpenter. In some Catholic countries, like Spain, Portugal, and Italy, it is also celebrated as Father's Day.
History of Saint Joseph's Day
The tradition of celebrating Saint Joseph on March 19 began a long time ago. By the 10th century, many Western calendars already included this day. This custom became official in Rome by 1479. Later, in 1570, Pope Pius V made it a day to be celebrated by the entire Roman Rite (a major part of the Catholic Church).
For many years, Saint Joseph's Day was considered a "holiday of obligation" for Catholics. This means they were expected to attend Mass (church service) on this day. Even if March 19 falls during Lent, which is a time of quiet reflection before Easter, Saint Joseph's Day is still celebrated with joy. During Mass on this day, special white or gold clothes are worn, and joyful hymns are sung.
Saint Joseph the Worker
In 1955, Pope Pius XII created another special day to honor Saint Joseph. This day is called "Saint Joseph the Worker" and is celebrated on May 1. This date was chosen to connect with International Workers' Day, also known as May Day, which is celebrated in many countries. This feast honors Saint Joseph as a hard-working person and a role model for all workers.
How People Celebrate
People celebrate Saint Joseph's Day in different ways around the world. Many Christians attend Mass or a Divine Service at their church. Some people wear red clothes to mark the occasion. A unique tradition involves carrying dried fava beans that have been blessed.
A very popular custom is setting up home altars dedicated to Saint Joseph. These altars are often beautifully decorated with flowers, candles, and food. They are a way for families to show their devotion and gratitude to Saint Joseph. In some places, like New Orleans, these altars can be very elaborate and are a big part of the community's celebration.
Images for kids
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Traditional Saint Joseph's Altar in New Orleans
