Celebrating St. Joseph's Day: Honoring Fathers and the Virtues of the Patron Saint

March is a special time of year for Catholics, as it is the month of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus and the patron saint of fathers, families, and workers. On March 19th, Catholics around the world celebrate St. Joseph's Day.

St. Joseph's Day is a time to reflect on the virtues and example of this humble, hardworking man who played such a crucial role in the life of Jesus. As the earthly father of the Son of God, Joseph embodied the qualities of a true Christian father: he was a protector, provider, and spiritual leader for his family. His unwavering faith, obedience, and dedication to his family's well-being are qualities that all fathers should strive to emulate.

A great devotion to adopt as a family this month is the St. Joseph novena, which asks for his intercession and guidance and begins on March 10th. Our Novena Tracker is a wonderful tool for keeping track of the novena as a family.

A special tradition is the creation of a St. Joseph's altar. The practice originated in Sicily. During a terrible famine, the people of Sicily pleaded to St. Joseph, their patron saint, for relief. St. Joseph answered their prayers, and the famine ended. In gratitude, they prepared a table with foods they had harvested. After paying homage to St. Joseph, they distributed the food to the less fortunate. The Altar is set up in three tiers, representing the Holy Trinity. A statue of St. Joseph is placed on the top tier, usually surrounded by flowers, greenery and fruit. Breads, cakes and cookies are baked in symbolic Christian shapes like a monstrance, chalices, crosses, doves, lambs, fish, bibles or hearts. Symbols of St. Joseph – such as lilies, staffs, sandals, ladders, saws, hammers and nails – are also used. Some traditional St. Joseph altars may include breadcrumbs represent the sawdust of St. Joseph the Carpenter. Petitions of the faithful are written on pieces of paper and placed in baskets on the Altar. Photos of deceased relatives and friends decorate the Altar as well.

For children, there are many fun and educational ways to celebrate St. Joseph's Day. Crafts like making paper dolls or coloring pages of St. Joseph can help them connect to the monthly devotion and feast day. Reading stories about St. Joseph or watching videos that depict his role in the life of Jesus can also be a great way to engage young minds and hearts. Engaging in activities that promote the virtues he embodied, such as service, sacrifice, and spiritual leadership is a great way to follow St. Joseph's example.

In Italy, St. Joseph's Day is also celebrated as Father's Day, a tradition that dates back centuries. Families gather to honor their fathers and grandfathers, often with a special feast.

As we celebrate St. Joseph's Day, we can also reflect on ways to honor the fathers in our own lives. What are some ways we can show gratitude for fathers and fatherly figures in our lives? March is a great month to invite your priest for dinner or take special care of them, honoring them as the Father of the parish.

As we honor St. Joseph and the fathers in our lives, let us be inspired by his example of selfless love, unwavering faith, and dedication to his family. May we all strive to emulate the virtues of this great saint and pass them on to the next generation.