Although there were at least two other Saint Josephs, (St. Joseph of Cupertino and St. Joseph of Leonessa), the most famous Saint Joseph would be Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary and ‘foster-father of Our Lord Jesus Christ’ 1.
Joseph was born in Bethlehem, but settled in Nazareth. Little is said of him subsequent to the story of the Nativity and the journey to Egypt. The last mention of Joseph occurs in the story of the family’s visit to the temple at Jerusalem:
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not [of it. ]{2:44} But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among [their] kinsfolk and acquaintance. {2:45} And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. {2:46} And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. {2:47} And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. {2:48} And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. {2:49} And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? {2:50} And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. {2:51} 2
Nothing is known of Joseph’s life after the visit to the temple, but the Catholic Encyclopedia notes that “we may well suppose that Jesus’s foster-father died before the beginning of Savior’s public life”.3, which seems reasonable, on the basis that he is not mentioned again.
