Saint Joseph, First Century
March 19

Saint Joseph was Mary’s husband and the foster father of Jesus on Earth. When Jesus was a baby, Joseph took Jesus and Mary to Egypt to protect them from King Herod who wanted to kill Jesus. When Jesus was lost in the Temple at age 12, Joseph helped Mary look for Jesus. He was a carpenter and taught Jesus how to build things. We don’t know how he died, but we believe that Mary and Jesus were with him. Today, we pray to Saint Joseph for a happy and peaceful death.

Discuss: Who do you know in your family who has died?

Saint Joseph is also the patron of fathers and unborn children, of workers, social justice, and of the universal Church. His ancestry can be traced back to King David. Saints Teresa of Ávila and Francis of Assisi had special devotions to Saint Joseph. He is often shown as an older man holding a lily, with the Child Jesus, or holding carpenter’s tools.

Activity
Write a Prayer
Verbal/Linguistic

Have the child think of someone who has died that they knew. Have them think about the best qualities of that person.

• Invite them to write a prayer that praises the person’s qualities and their work on Earth.
• Have them pray for the rest and peace of their soul.
• If the child would like to share as a loving tribute, allow them to do so.