After Joseph and Mary were betrothed, he learned that she was pregnant and knew that the child was not his. He did not know, however, that she was pregnant with the Son of God. Joseph decided to divorce Mary quietly because he did not want her exposed to the shame and cruelty adulterous women suffered.

When the angel told Joseph the truth about Mary's baby, he immediately married Mary without question. Scripture shares with us Joseph's great love of Jesus. His primary concern was the safety of Jesus. He left his home and all of his belongings before Jesus was born after the angel told Joseph that his family was in danger. Upon their return from Egypt, Joseph settled his family in Nazareth to protect Jesus. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Joseph treated Jesus as his own son and people continually asked "Is this not the son of Joseph?"

Many Church historians conclude that Joseph died before Jesus began his public ministry since there is no record of Joseph at Jesus' death or resurrection.


Saint Joseph, patron of the universal Church, watch over the Church as carefully as you watched over Jesus, help protect it and guide it as you did with your adopted son. Amen.