• 19 March: Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron Saint of the Universal Church

    A righteous man and the protector of the Holy Family

    Saint Joseph, adoptive father of Jesus and husband of Mary, is a key figure in Christian tradition, both because of his role in the economy of salvation and because he was a model of virtue. Joseph is not mentioned in detail in the Bible. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke are the ones which reveal the most about him.

  • March 19: Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church and of the Vatican City State

    A man seemingly fragile and fallible yet courageous and strong in faith

    “Dear brothers and sisters, we consecrate the Vatican City State also to Saint Joseph, the guardian of Jesus, the guardian of the Holy Family. May his presence make us ever stronger and more courageous in making room for God in our lives, so as always to overcome evil with good. To him we ask that he protect us, take care of us, so that the life of Grace may grow more and more each day in each one of us.”