RELIC: THE CLOAK OF ST. JOSEPH

St. Jerome, one of the great translators of the Bible, lived in Bethlehem where, for over 20 years, he lived with the early Christian community (4th century). While there, he had access to an incredible relic: The cloak of St. Joseph. This important relic was safely kept until its move to the Basilica of Sant'Anastasia in Rome, where it has been housed with the mantle of the Virgin Mary for over 1600 years. 

Watch video footage of the relic:

  

 

 

♔ ST. JOSEPH CLOAKS THE CIBORIUM THAT HOUSES THE HOST ♔

Liturgical rubrics stipulate that the Holy Eucharist be kept in our tabernacles, in a gold or silver ciborium, and that this be covered with a gold, silver or silk veil. In the mystery of the Incarnation, the Sacred Host is Jesus, the ciborium is Mary, and the veil is St. Joseph. Just as the ciborium is only there for the Host, so the veil is only there for the Host and the ciborium. As Mary exists and lives only for Jesus, Joseph exists and lives only for Jesus and Mary.