> [[09-figures|↑ Back to TOC]] # Saint Joseph ## Biography Saint Joseph was the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus Christ. A descendant of the house of David, he was a just man who obeyed the angel of the Lord in faith, sheltered the Holy Family during the flight into Egypt, and provided for the hidden years of Jesus's childhood in Nazareth. The Gospels show him as a man of silence, obedience, and unwavering trust in God. Saint Teresa of Avila placed the Discalced Carmelite Reform under his special patronage, having experienced him as a powerful intercessor in her own illnesses. He is the Patron of Our Order and of the universal Church. *Source: OCD Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours, March 19; cf. Matthew 1–2; Luke 2* ## Notes - spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary protector of our Order S 17 - [[03-19-st-joseph|OCD Proper]]