There are three things we know about St Joseph. Firstly he was a carpenter, though the Greek word is also used to refer to an artisan metal worker and in some circumstances to someone who is considered wise and learned in the Torah. In 1955, the Pope, Pius XII introduced the feast of St Joseph the Worker on 1 May as an ecclesiastical counterpart to International Workers' Day on the same day, reflecting St Joseph's status as patron of workers, but also to help to make people aware of the dignity of human work.

Secondly that he was descended from King David, though the routes through which he is descended differ between the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Clearly the idea was to demonstrate that Jesus was descended from King David´s line. And yet there is an obvious problem - that Mary conceived Jesus virginally and so Joseph was not his father! However, Jesus is elsewhere described by John and Matthew as "Joseph's son" and "the carpenter's son", and Joseph's paternity was essential to establish Jesus' Davidic descent.

And thirdly, that he loved his wife. In Matthew´s gospel, Joseph is described as a ‘man of principle’, someone who liked to keep the law and do the right thing. And yet he was thrown into the most disturbing situation. He is betrothed to the young Mary and they plan to marry. And then he discovers that she is pregnant. The law is quite clear: at the least he must arrange a quiet divorce and she must face the consequences, usually stoning. But something happened to Joseph that changed his mind, and he stuck with Mary and with their baby. It is described as an angelic visit, but was more probably the realisation of a much higher principle, more synonymous with justice rather than legalism, and wholly concerned with the interests of men, rather than antagonistic to them. The little we know of Joseph witnesses to the importance of that moment of discovery. His willingness to be part of a bigger picture, used, and in that to find his fulfilment.

Picture above: Christ in the House of His Parents, by John Everett Millais, from Tate Britain in London.