Saint Joseph, the Worker

Easter Weekday Saint Joseph the Worker Acts 11:1-18/Jn 10:11-18 (second option) (279) or, for the Memorial, Gn 1:26—2:3 or Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-24/Mt 13:54-58 (559).

*Childhood of Christ – by Gerard van Honthorst

(Holland circa 1620) The city of Utrecht was an important artistic centre in Holland and gave the world a number of painters for whom the culture and art of Italy played a special role. Their work was strongly influenced by the visual language of Caravaggio. The distinctive placement of half-figures advanced to the foreground, contrasting nocturnal or artificial illumination that produces dramatic shadows and heightens the theatrical effect of a painting – those were the main features of the new type of picture that all the Caravaggisti employed. The Childhood of Christ by Gerrit van Honthorst is a typical example of this tendency. The artist had travelled extensively in Italy and already made a name for himself there. A high opinion of Honthort’s mastery of chiaroscuro composition and his talents as a colourist is reflected in his Italian nickname: Gherardo delle notti – “Gerard of the Nights”. The artist produced several works on religious subjects, but they are lacking the high emotional content of canvases to adorn churches or cathedrals. We have here an almost intimate scene.

The boy is holding a candle, helping his carpenter father to complete a piece of work late in the evening. Only the title of the piece and the allegory of Christ bringing light to all humanity turn this genre scene into an interpretation of the Gospel words: “I am the light of the world” (John, 8:12).

**The Story of Saint Joseph the Worker – To foster deep devotion to Saint Joseph among Catholics, and in response to the “May Day” celebrations for workers sponsored by Communists, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker in 1955. This feast extends the long relationship between Joseph and the cause of workers in both Catholic faith and devotion. Beginning in the Book of Genesis, the dignity of human work has long been celebrated as a participation in the creative work of God. By work, humankind both fulfills the command found in Genesis to care for the earth (Gn 2:15) and to be productive in their labors. Saint Joseph, the carpenter and foster father of Jesus, is but one example of the holiness of human labor.

Jesus, too, was a carpenter. He learned the trade from Saint Joseph and spent his early adult years working side-by-side in Joseph’s carpentry shop before leaving to pursue his ministry as preacher and healer. In his encyclical Laborem Exercens, Pope John Paul II stated: “the Church considers it her task always to call attention to the dignity and rights of those who work, to condemn situations in which that dignity and those rights are violated, and to help to guide [social] changes so as to ensure authentic progress by man and society.”

Saint Joseph is held up as a model of such work. Pius XII emphasized this when he said, “The spirit flows to you and to all men from the heart of the God-man, Savior of the world, but certainly, no worker was ever more completely and profoundly penetrated by it than the foster father of Jesus, who lived with Him in closest intimacy and community of family life and work.”

To capture the devotion to Saint Joseph within the Catholic liturgy, in 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph the patron of the universal Church. In 1955, Pope Pius XII added the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. This silent saint, who was given the noble task of caring and watching over the Virgin Mary and Jesus, now cares for and watches over the Church and models for all the dignity of human work.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  

Jer 29:11