The Dream of St Joseph

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The Dream of St Joseph by Domenico Guidi, Santa Maria della Vittoria

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The Dream of St Joseph, in the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, is the work of the sculptor Domenico Guidi (1625-1701). 

St Joseph had, in fact, four dreams. In the first dream he learns about the miraculous nature of Mary’s pregnancy. According to the Gospel of Matthew, an angel appeared to Joseph, confirming that Christ had been conceived through the Holy Ghost: 'Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee to take Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost' (1:20). 

In the second dream, St Joseph is warned to leave Bethlehem and flee to Egypt. While in Egypt, he has a third dream in which he is told that it is safe to return to Israel. In the fourth and final dream Joseph is again warned of danger and travels to Galilee instead of returning to Judea.

March 19th is the feast day of St Joseph, who is the patron saint of fathers and carpenters. ​