The Catholic Church has always fostered a strong devotion to St. Joseph as the head of the Holy Family, yet he has become increasingly prominent in the spiritual life of the Church over the past 150 years as Patron of the Universal Church.
Certain saints have received special insight into his holiness and the wonderful power of his heavenly intercession.
“Devotion to St. Joseph is one of the choicest graces that God can give to a soul, for it is tantamount to revealing the entire treasury of our Lord’s graces,” wrote St. Peter Julian Eymard. “When God wishes to raise a soul to greater heights, he unites it to St. Joseph by giving it a strong love for the good saint.”
Some of the saint’s titles and patronages – as listed in the Litany of St. Joseph – are explored on the Diocese of Charlotte’s Year of St. Joseph website, www.yearofstjoseph.org:
- March – Joseph Most Just
- April – Lover of Poverty
- May – Model of Workers
- June – Joseph Most Obedient and Head of the Holy Family
- July – Joseph Most Faithful
- August – Mirror of Patience
- September – Joseph Most Prudent
- October – Terror of Demons
- November – Patron of Dying and Solace of the Afflicted
- December – Chaste Guardian of Virgins and Pillar of Families
St. Joseph is most well known as the patron saint of fathers, families and workers.
However, he is in fact efficacious over many causes. He has become known for his intercession for the following: against doubt, accountants, attorneys, cabinetmakers and carpenters, cemetery workers and grave diggers, children, civil engineers, confectioners, craftsmen, dying people and for a happy and holy death, immigrants and exiles, house hunters, laborers, married people, orphans, people who fight Communism, pioneers, pregnant women, social justice, teachers and travelers.