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*Sacred Scripture* St. Joseph and Christ – Ribera
March 27, 2026
This artwork by Ribera shows St. Joseph with the boy Jesus. Joseph holds a stalk of lilies, symbolizing his virtue, and Christ meekly carries his foster father’s carpentry tools.
Saint Joseph and the Christ Child
Ribera, Jusepe De, Lo Spagnoletto
1630 – 1635.
Saint Joseph holds a flowered staff. He is accompanied by the Christ Child, who offers him a basket with carpentry tools, alluding to the saint´s profession. The worship of Saint Joseph was especially favored by the Council of Trent and devotion to him became especially widespread in Spain, where numerous paintings were also made. The technique used in this painting, with outstanding chiaroscuros that illuminate only the most important details of the composition, denotes the influence of the Italian painter, Caravaggio. This work was rescued from the fire at Madrid´s Alcázar Palace in 1734 and appeared in the 1747, 1772 and 1794 inventories of the new Royal Palace built in its place.
Saying the holy name of Jesus is the simplest way of praying always.
1-A prayer from Raphael the Archangel:
*While you are on this earth, you must praise the Lord God and give him thanks.
2-A prayer from Tobit and Tobias:
*They began to sing hymns of praise, giving thanks for all the mighty deeds God had done while his angel Raphael had been with them.
3-A simple Jesus prayer:
*Lord, Lord, Jesus Christ…Son of God…have mercy on me…Be kind to others…Work Hard…Be joyful.
4-Another prayer:
*When all that God asks of us is to be quiet and keep ourselves at peace-attentive to the secret work He is beginning in our souls-Be Empty and See That I Am God.
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
Ps 25:8–9