The Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker

Saint Joseph is one of the few saints of the Catholic Church to have two celebrations! He is celebrated on the 19th of March as the patron saint of the Universal Church and the husband of the Virgin Mary; but he is also honored on the 1st of May as the patron saint of workers. Discover why and how Christian workers celebrate the carpenter of Nazareth on this Labor Day!

May 1, Labor Day

The origin of May 1st: a civil and secular feast

Labor Day, celebrated on May 1st, originated from workers' demonstrations that first took place in the United States, then spread to many countries. These initial demonstrations, dating back to the 19th century, focused on the 8-hour workday.The first May Day parade took place in 1890 in France. This date became the traditional day of workers' protest and was established as a public holiday and day off in 1948. The establishment of the feast of Saint Joseph and his patronage In 1955, Pope Pius XII appointed Saint Joseph, patron saint of workers, and designated May 1st as the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker.

Through this patronage, the Church wanted to demonstrate its interest in the issue of labor, as well as in the rights of workers, especially laborers. The Church's attention to these matters and awareness of the challenges and issues related to the world of work remain relevant. While social concerns and demands have evolved over nearly a century, many hardships persist today. Competitiveness, a culture of performance, and the pursuit of ever-increasing productivity lead to stress, unemployment, and precariousness. Saint Joseph, patron saint of workers Sanctification through work Saint Joseph, a carpenter by trade, reminds us how work is part of the divine plan. Joseph serves as a role model for all workers. He highlights the beauty and nobility of work, which should not enslave mankind but rather contribute to their fulfillment, liberation, and sanctification. Through his manual labor, he provided for the needs of Mary and Jesus. He also passed on his knowledge to the Son of God, who accompanied him before his public ministry. Many mysteries and graces stem from Saint Joseph's workshop, as mentioned by Saint John Paul II in his apostolic exhortation Redemptoris Custos:

“Through his workshop where he practiced his trade at the same time as Jesus, Joseph brought human labor close to the mystery of Redemption. In the human growth of Jesus “in wisdom, in stature, and in grace,” a virtue played an important role: professional conscience, work being “a good of man” that “transforms nature” and makes man “in a certain sense more human.”

Through our work, we are called to participate in creation. Through humility and dedication to our tasks, we discover its redeeming action.
Christian workers are therefore invited to pray to Saint Joseph on the 1st of May, but also to entrust their professional life to his intercession so that it may be a source of many graces.

Prayer of Saint Pius X to the glorious model Saint Joseph the worker

“Glorious Saint Joseph, exemplar of all those dedicated to labor, grant me the grace to work in a spirit of penance for the expiation of my numerous sins;
 to work diligently, placing the worship of duty above my personal inclinations;
 to work with gratitude and joy, viewing it as an honor to utilize and enhance the gifts bestowed by God through labor;
 to work methodically, peacefully, moderately, and patiently, never shying away from fatigue and challenges;
 to work primarily with pure intentions and self-detachment, constantly mindful of death and the forthcoming judgment on wasted time, neglected talents, omitted goodness, and vain self-indulgence in success, all detrimental to God's work.
 All for Jesus, all for Mary, all following your example, saintly patriarch Joseph! This shall be my motto from cradle to grave.
 Amen.”

Find many other prayers to entrust your work to the Lord, including the novena to Saint Joseph the Craftsman,

Pray and entrust your work to Saint Joseph with Hozana!

Hozana offers different novenas to Saint Joseph and in particular to Saint Joseph the craftsman to entrust your worries to him at work or to find a job.

Start each day with Saint Joseph and take the opportunity to entrust your workday to him by joining this community of prayer that will allow you to receive a prayer to Saint Joseph every morning.