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St Joseph's Day, celebrated on March 19th, is a significant feast day in Vatican City as it honors Saint Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ and the patron saint of the Universal Church, which encompasses the Holy See.
The tradition of dedicating a day to Saint Joseph dates back to the 10th century. However, it was in 1621 when Pope Gregory XV made it a feast day for the Roman Catholic Church. Later on, in 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph the patron of the Universal Church.
In Vatican City, St Joseph's Day is marked by religious observances and liturgical celebrations. The Pope often holds a special Mass to honor Saint Joseph. Since St. Joseph is also recognized as the patron saint of workers and craftsmen, his feast day is associated with laborers' dignity and their role in society.
Religious Services: A focal point of the festivities includes attending Mass at St. Peter's Basilica or other local churches within Vatican City.
Papal Address: The Pope may give an address or homily highlighting St. Joseph's virtues of humility and obedience to God's will.
Prayers: Devotees engage in prayers seeking St. Joseph's intercession for protection and guidance.
While Vatican City itself has no specific cultural traditions beyond religious ceremonies, individuals observe this day by:
In some cultures closely associated with Vatican City and Italy, families may gather for a traditional feast including specific dishes like "zeppole" (a type of pastry) which are especially popular on this day.
It is also customary for people to set up altars dedicated to Saint Joseph in their homes or local communities as an act of devotion and thanksgiving.