Saint: San José/Saint Joseph

José Rafael Aragón, New Mexico, 1820-1862 Gesso, and water-soluble paint on wood 12 ¾” x 9 3/8” History Collection NMHM, 2007.32.190

Saint Joseph is the husband of Mary. During the courtship of Mary his staff miraculously blossomed, indicating that he was divinely chosen to be the husband of Mary. Joseph’s attributes consists of a flowering staff in one hand and the Christ child on the other arm. He is esteemed as the patron saint of the family.