May 1st, May Day, Workers and St Joseph
Traditiones Monastiques
Each morning at the Chapter, we prayed, St Joseph, Our Patron, Pray for us.
Jules Chevalier bequeathed Heart Spirituality, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, and a devotion to St Joseph to the Chevalier Family – Model and Patron of those who love the Sacred Heart. Here is some background and some different St Joseph pictures.
San Jose Latin America
Was Joseph a ‘carpenter’? Did you know: Joseph's description as a "tekton" (τέκτων) has been traditionally translated into English as "carpenter", but is a rather general word (from the same root that gives us "technical" and "technology") that could cover makers of objects in various materials. The Greek term evokes an artisan with wood in general, or an artisan in iron or stone. But the specific association with woodworking is a constant in Early Christian tradition; Justin Martyr (died c. 165) wrote that Jesus made yokes and ploughs, and there are similar early references.
Catholic Ireland
Other scholars have argued that tekton could equally mean a highly skilled craftsman in wood or the more prestigious metal, perhaps running a workshop with several employees, and noted sources recording the shortage of skilled artisans at the time. Geza Vermes has stated that the terms 'carpenter' and 'son of a carpenter' are used in the Jewish Talmud to signify a very learned man, and he suggests that a description of Joseph as 'naggar' (a carpenter) could indicate that he was considered wise and highly literate in the Torah.
Seeds of Faith
