May 1st - St. Joseph the Worker, St. Joseph the Carpenter is none other than the same St. Joseph, Foster Father of Jesus in Nazareth, whom we celebrated on March 19th. The day of May 1st is dedicated to Saint Joseph but also to all workers since he is the patron saint.
Pope Pius XII dedicated this day to St. Joseph, craftsman, in 1955, because Joseph initiated the Son of God to the dignity of the human person through work. On this occasion a triple feast is celebrated: the feast of the Church, the feast of the family, and above all the feast of work, workers and workplaces. The Congregation of Rites published the ritual texts of the Eucharistic celebration of this feast on April 24, 1956.
The presence of Jesus with him in Nazareth gave Joseph the essence of labour as an act of atonement for man's transgression of God's law, i.e. that daily work finds its place in the history of salvation. Joseph works with the Creator and Jesus for the salvation of the world. It was through this humble work that Joseph took charge of the sustenance and education of the Incarnate Son of God who humbled himself on the cross to save the world.
"Is he not the carpenter's son?" This is how Jesus was recognized by his contemporaries. Joseph, too, discreet and humble, is recognized only by his work. He gives the example of the worker according to God's will. Joseph is the model of work, he is the model of trust and commitment, which predestines him to be the patron saint of all workers. Leading, obedient, constant and patient, these are the qualities of the good worker that this carpenter from Nazareth wants us to acquire. In the accomplishment of his work, he was concerned only with God's will. By his words and deeds, Joseph teaches us humility, patience, charity, discipline and above all work. Work keeps us away from sin and allows us to sanctify ourselves. It is not so much success that gives us the right to recognition or reward, but above all the effort to do well. On earth, work elevates man and his whole life depends on how he does his work, and on his competence to do his work.
Pope Pius X wrote a prayer to St. Joseph to ask for his intercession:
Glorious St. Joseph, model of all who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace
to work in the spirit of penance in expiation of my many sins;
to work conscientiously by placing love of duty above my inclinations;
to gratefully and joyously deem it an honor to employ and to develop by labor the gifts I have received from God,
to work methodically, peacefully, and in moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from it through weariness or difficulty
to work; above all, with purity of intention and unselfishness, having unceasingly before my eyes death and the account I have to render of time lost, talents unused, good not done, and vain complacency in success, so baneful to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all to imitate thee, O patriarch St. Joseph! This shall be my motto for life and eternity.
