St. Joseph and Home Sales
A Catholic Real Estate Tradition
Homeowners who are worried that their house won’t sell in a recession may offer guided tours, work with realtors, post online ads, upgrade their kitchen — or call on St. Joseph for help. According to a Catholic tradition, homeowners who bury a figure of St. Joseph in their garden will receive the saint’s help when it comes to finding a buyer.
Revered as the foster father of Jesus, Joseph is variously portrayed in the Catholic Church as the patron saint of pregnant women, fathers, carpenters, workers, social justice, wheelwrights, the Catholic Church and the dying. His feast days are March 19, when he is honored as the husband of Mary, and May 1 as patron of workers.
Origins of the St. Joseph Tradition
Catholic lore gives several origins for the practice of burying St. Joseph. It's not known which one is the true story.
- The order of Discalced Carmelite nuns in the 16th century found land for a new convent that was priced out of their reach. They buried a medal of St. Joseph on the property, prayed for his help and acquired the land at a price they could afford.
- German carpenters buried St. Joseph statues in the foundations of homes they built.
- Brother Andre Bressett, a monk in 1800s Montreal, planted medals of St. Joseph on land he wanted to buy for a chapel. The owners, who had initially refused to sell, changed their minds.
The St. Joseph Tradition in America
Snopes.com says the practice in American real estate goes back to at least 1984 and took off after 1990.
How to Bury St. Joseph
Different sources offer different suggestions on burying the statue: Near the for sale sign, in the rear yard, upside down, lying on its back or facing the house. Most sources agree that after the sale, the owner should dig up the statue and give it a place of honor in their new home.
Some stories say that if the statue is left buried, the house will constantly change hands. Others say leaving the statue buried will protect the new residents.
Some Catholics, however, say that burying the mortal father of Jesus is disrespectful and that putting him in the window is more respectful. Others say that whatever you do should be done with reverence and appropriate prayers or the statue will make no difference at all.
Where to Find St. Joseph statuary
Stores that sell Catholic gifts often have St. Joseph “home sale kits” on their shelves.
Mary and Joseph
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