Do you know the unique history behind Saint Joseph the Worker’s feast day?
This feast is celebrated by the Catholic Church each year on May 1. It is set apart as a celebration of the life and work of Saint Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ.
The origins of this feast day can be traced back to the early 20th century.
Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker in 1955 to coincide with International Workers’ Day, a day dedicated to the secular celebration of labor and workers’ rights.
However, the Holy Father recognized the misplaced role of work in society at the time. He believed there was a growing threat of communist and socialist ideals against the dignity of workers and family life.
The devotion to Saint Joseph as a worker dates back to the Middle Ages when Catholic theologians and writers began to emphasize his role as a model of humility, hard work, and dedication.
Saint Joseph was not only Jesus's foster father but also a carpenter by trade.
He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and taught Jesus the skills he needed to become a carpenter. He was a faithful and hardworking man, who lived a life of service to God and his family.
In the 19th century, the Catholic Church began to promote devotion to Saint Joseph the Worker, with Pope Leo XIII issuing an encyclical on the subject in 1889.
You can read the full encyclical on devotion to Saint Joseph here.
He emphasized the importance of Saint Joseph as a model of Christian living, stating that “Joseph became the guardian, the administrator, and the defender of the divine house whose chief he was.”
The feast day of Saint Joseph the Worker has become an important day for Catholics around the world.
This day celebrates the dignity of work and the contributions workers make to society. It is also a day to reflect on the example of Saint Joseph, who worked tirelessly to provide for his family and to serve God.
In addition to the feast day, numerous prayers are dedicated to Saint Joseph the Worker. The faithful often turn to his intercession in work-related matters, employment, and financial stability!
Here is a great prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker:
God our Father, Creator, and Ruler of the universe, in every age you call us to use and develop our gifts for the good of others.
With Saint Joseph as our guide, help us to do the work you have asked and come to the rewards you have promised. Please grant this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
“Let us love Jesus above all, let us love Mary as our mother; but then, how could we keep from loving Joseph, who was so intimately united to both Jesus and Mary? And how can we honor him better than by imitating his virtues? Now, what else did he do in all his life but contemplate, study, and adore Jesus, even in the midst of his daily labors? Behold, therefore, our model.” -Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat