In both Catholic and Protestant traditions, Joseph is regarded as the patron saint of workers and is associated with various feast days. Pope Pius IX declared him to be both the patron and the protector of the Catholic Church, in addition to his patronages of the sick and of a happy death, due to the belief that he died in the presence of Jesus and Mary. In popular piety, Joseph is regarded as a model for fathers and has also become patron of various dioceses and places. The bronze handmade sculpture was cast using the ancient method of lost-wax casting and stained with a brown and gold patina finish for preservation. It is mounted upon a black variegated marble base with the the artist Valli`s signature.