St. Joseph, March 19
A carpenter of Nazareth, Joseph took Mary as his wife and raised Jesus as his own. The Gospels show him as a just and quiet man who acts on what God asks of him in dreams. He was named patron of the universal Church in 1870 and is also the patron of fathers and workers.
On the General Roman Calendar, March 19 is a solemnity: Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Name days on March 19
In countries that keep name days, March 19 is the day for people named Joseph, Josephine, Joe, and José. These names come from the same saint, as variants, nicknames or forms used in other languages.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Joseph | March 19 |
| Josephine | March 19 |
| Joe | March 19 |
| José | March 19 |
March 19 on the calendar
March 19 is the 78th day of the year (the 79th in a leap year), with 287 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday |
| 2027 | Friday |
| 2028 | Sunday |
| 2029 | Monday |
| 2030 | Tuesday |
Keeping March 19
March 19 falls in winter. As a solemnity, it ranks among the highest celebrations of the year: the Mass includes the Gloria and the Creed, and some solemnities are holy days of obligation. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Joseph, Josephine, Joe, and José, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around March 19
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| March 16 | St. Heribert of Cologne |
| March 17 | St. Patrick |
| March 18 | St. Cyril of Jerusalem |
| March 20 | St. Cuthbert |
| March 21 | St. Nicholas of Flüe |
| March 22 | St. Lea of Rome |
The day before, March 18, is the day of St. Cyril of Jerusalem. The day after, March 20, belongs to St. Cuthbert. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.