Saint Joseph, husband of Mary

<p>Joseph, according to gospel accounts, was a village carpenter and a descendant of King David. Art and popular imagination have usually portrayed Joseph as an old man. This is probably a false notion. The rabbis at the time of Christ commonly taught that men should marry between the ages of 13 and 19, and Joseph, as a 'just' (that is, law-abiding) man, would likely have conformed to this practice.</p>
<p>Embarrassed by Mary's pregnancy, Joseph is told in a dream to take Mary as his wife. His thoughts of rejecting her for infidelity were banished and he was faithful to his responsibility as her husband and foster father of Jesus.</p>
<p>The Feast of Saint Joseph has been observed on this day since the 10th century. St Joseph was declared patron of the universal Church in 1870, and is principal patron of Canada.©2011 <em>Living with Christ, </em>Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., <strong>http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/</strong&gt;. Reprinted with permission.</p>