Ask Father: Was Saint Joseph present at the Crucifixion? How long does it take to become a Priest?

Dear friend in Christ,

Fun questions this week. No, Saint Joseph died before Jesus was crucified. Tradition tells us that Saint Joseph died in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Check out the picture below to see how one artist envisioned that moment. This is why he is the patron saint of a happy death. We should invoke Saint Joseph’s intercession for anyone who is dying.

For a diocesan priest (like Fr. Romans and Fr. Federico), it takes six to eight years of study and formation to become a priest.