St. Joseph's Day, celebrated annually on 19th March, is a public holiday in Vatican City and honors the life of St. Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and legal father of Jesus Christ. St. Joseph's Day has been commemorated since medieval times and holds deep significance within the Catholic Church. In Vatican City, home to the Pope and a global capital of Catholicism, this day is marked with special liturgies and religious processions.
This day is observed with great devotion as St. Joseph was declared Patron of the Universal Church by Pope Pius IX in 1870. Many of the Vatican's inhabitants and numerous pilgrims who visit each year, attend a special service in St. Peter's Basilica where the Pope leads a solemn celebration in honor of St. Joseph. Although St. Joseph's Day is not a grand, ornate festival, it is marked by prayer, religious readings, and quiet reflection.
Aside from the religious aspects, St. Joseph’s Day also carries a cultural significance in Vatican City. It is common for people to invite friends or family around for a meal, where traditional foods, such as fava beans, blessed by priests are eaten as they were once credited with saving Sicilians from famine. The holiday is a blend of the solemn and celebratory, creating an atmosphere of communal unity, love, and reverence, providing a meaningful day for citizens and visitors alike.