Apostolic Age (1st century)
Feast: March 19 (Solemnity)
The quiet guardian of Jesus and Mary, patron of workers and a model of obedient love.
Joseph is described in Matthew as a just man who took Mary as his wife and protected the Holy Family—fleeing to Egypt, returning to Nazareth, and teaching Jesus a trade. He speaks no words in Scripture; his life is obedience in action. Pius IX named him patron of the Universal Church.