Joseph, Patron of the Church - Framed Art

The original image is in a side altar in the Sacred Heart Church in Rome, painted by Giuseppe Rollini. Surrounded by Angels watching in great reverence and saying, "Go to Joseph" (Ite ad Joseph).St. Joseph is pictured holding the child Jesus with the humble handmaid Mary by his side. While Joseph holds a lily to symbolize his great purity in one hand, his other hand extends in blessing over a miniature church building which is presented to him by an Angel and represents his patronage over the Universal Church.

In 1870, Pope Pius IX officially declared St. Joseph the Patron of the Catholic Church. In the document Quemadmodum Deus, Pius IX entrusts the Church, which is under much travail, to Joseph