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''[[God]] in His Wisdom chose '''St. Joseph''' a descendant of the house of [[David]] to be the most chaste spouse of the Blessed [[Virgin Mary]] and the foster father of Our Lord [[Jesus Christ]]. Joseph was a just man, who worked as a carpenter to look after Mary and the holy infant Jesus.'' <ref>[http://www.theworkofgod.org/saints/Lives/Joseph.htm Saint Joseph] The Work of God Apostolate  </ref> ([[The Holy Family]])

''[[God]] in His Wisdom chose '''St. Joseph''' a descendant of the house of [[David]] to be the most chaste spouse of the Blessed [[Virgin Mary]] and the foster father of Our Lord [[Jesus Christ]]. Joseph was a just man, who worked as a carpenter to look after Mary and the holy infant Jesus.'' <ref>[http://www.theworkofgod.org/saints/Lives/Joseph.htm Saint Joseph] The Work of God Apostolate  </ref> ([[The Holy Family]])

'''Joseph of Nazareth''', often known as "St. Joseph," was the spouse of the [[Virgin Mary]] and the foster-father of [[Jesus Christ]].  His life is known primarily through the early chapters of the [[Gospel of Matthew]] and the [[Gospel of Luke]], and a rich oral tradition.  He was of the house and lineage of [[King David]], with his family home in [[Bethlehem]].  After his betrothal to Mary, he learned that she was pregnant.  He was going to put her away quietly but was visited by an angel in a vision that told him to continue with the marriage  and that the child conceived in her was from the [[Holy Spirit]].  Joseph brought his family down for the census ordered by [[Augustus Caesar]] and fled into [[Egypt]] with his family when Jesus' life was in danger.

'''Joseph of Nazareth''', often known as "St. Joseph," was the spouse of the [[Virgin Mary]] and the foster-father of [[Jesus Christ]].  His life is known primarily through the early chapters of the [[Gospel of Matthew]] and the [[Gospel of Luke]], and a rich oral tradition.  He was of the house and lineage of [[King David]], with his family home in [[Bethlehem]].  After his betrothal to Mary, he learned that she was pregnant.  He was going to put her away quietly but was visited by an angel in a vision that told him to continue with the marriage  and that the child conceived in her was from the [[Holy Spirit]].  Joseph brought his family down for the census ordered by [[Augustus Caesar]] and fled into [[Egypt]] with his family when Jesus' life was in danger due to an edict by King Herod to kill all the newborn children in Bethlehem. Only returning to Bethlehem after Herod had passed away.

According to Matthew 13:55 and [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 6:3, Joseph was a tekton, which means a mechanic in general and a carpenter in particular.  The oral tradition, accepted since the earliest times, was that Joseph was indeed a carpenter by trade, and it is likely that [[Jesus]] initially followed in his footsteps.

According to Matthew 13:55 and [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 6:3, Joseph was a tekton, which means a mechanic in general and a carpenter in particular.  The oral tradition, accepted since the earliest times, was that Joseph was indeed a carpenter by trade, and it is likely that [[Jesus]] initially followed in his footsteps.

It is assumed that Joseph was deceased by the time of [[Jesus]]'s preaching and [[Passion]], as there is no mention of him while there are references to [[Jesus]]'s other family members. It was common for a husband to be substantially older than a wife and for women to live longer than men.

It is assumed that Joseph was deceased by the time of [[Jesus]]'s preaching and [[Passion]], as there is no mention of him after Jesus' childhood. It was common for a husband to be substantially older than a wife and for women to live longer than men. There are references to [[Jesus]]'s other family members from Joseph's offspring prior to Mary. [[Catholics]] point out that Mary stayed virginal, having no relations or children with Joseph.  

==Roman Catholicism==

==Roman Catholicism==