Saint Joseph the Worker

Saint Joseph the Worker

Patron of Carpenters and Laborers

After almost five centuries of venerating Saint Joseph on the feast day of March 19th, why in 1955 did Pope Pius XII create the feast day of Saint Joseph the Worker?

In 1889 Socialists declared May 1st "International Workers' Day," known more popularly now as "May Day" - a day which in subsequent years became the day for labor protests, many of them violent. It eventually was a day much championed by Communists in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.

To counteract this violence and to reclaim the Christian dignity of work, Pope Pius XII created the solemnity of Saint Joseph the Worker, also to be celebrated on May 1st, explaining that "the humble craftsman of Nazareth not only embodies the dignity of the worker; he is also the guardian of you and your families."

Monastery Icons' icon of Saint Joseph the Worker is available in our full selection of formats and sizes.