Saint Joseph

Samples from a series commissioned by an RCIA group.

May 1st is the feast day of Saint Joseph the Worker.

Saint Joseph ©Lawrence Klimecki

In early Christian art Saint Joseph was depicted as an old, sometimes decrepit man, in order to accentuate Mary's virginity and so as not to detract attention from her. But as we have come to a fuller understanding of Joseph's role, his depiction in art has responded. More often than not Saint Joseph is now depicted as a mature man, one fully capable of protecting, guiding, and providing for the Blessed Mother and the Christ child.

"God our Father,
creator and ruler of the universe,
in every age you call man
to develop and use his gifts for the good of others.
With Saint Joseph as our example and guide,
help us to do the work you have asked
and come to the rewards you have promised."
-The Liturgy of the Hours

Saint Matthias ©Lawrence Klimecki

Jesus had many disciples (followers and students) but chose only twelve to be apostles, those He would send out into the world to preach the Gospel. When it came time to replace Judas the remaining eleven chose Matthias from among the disciples.

"So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,  beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us -- one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection."

And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsab'bas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthi'as.

And they prayed and said, "Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou hast chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place."

And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthi'as; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles.

Acts of the Apostles 1:21-26