According to canonical Gospels, Joseph was a first-century Jewish man from Nazareth who was married to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and served as the legal father of Jesus. He is widely venerated as Saint Joseph across numerous Christian traditions, including the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Church, Anglicanism, and Lutheranism.
In Catholic tradition, Joseph holds a prominent place as the patron saint of workers, virgins, the sick, and a holy death, the latter of which is associated with the belief that he passed away in the presence of Jesus and Mary. Pope Pius IX formally declared him the patron and protector of the Catholic Church. While liturgical worship is not offered to his "most Chaste Heart" as it is to the hearts of Jesus and Mary, private devotions to him are common, and the month of March is traditionally dedicated to his honor.
Joseph's significance is also reflected in religious art and modern theology. Iconography frequently depicts him holding lilies or spikenard, and several venerated images of him have received canonical coronations by various popes. Additionally, the academic and theological study of his life and role, known as Josephology, has grown significantly since the 1950s, leading to the establishment of dedicated research centers.