St. Joseph Prayer for Fatherhood Diptych

Decorate a shelf or nightstand with this glossy St. Joseph Prayer for Fatherhood Diptych measuring 6” x 8”.

This painting was made by Melchior Paul von Deschwanden, a Swiss artist, in the 19^thcentury. A tender and contemplative St. Joseph - the foster father of Jesus - is depicted with the child Jesus resting on his lap. Jesus is petting an ewe, foreshadowing his sacrifice as the "Lamb of God," and St. John the Baptist, pictured as a young boy holding a cross with the "Agnus Dei" proclamation, kneels and devotedly kisses Christ's foot. With forehead scrunched in contemplation, the tender foster father of God takes in the scene, presumably contemplating the great sacrifice that his Son will make and the Divinity of his child. A rod of lilies points to his great purity and the legend of how he was chosen to be the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the ax next to him points to the hard work and labor he accomplished for his family throughout his life. The scene takes place in the clouds, a place of heavenly contemplation. As an altarpiece, von Deschwanden's piece rests in Kastelruth, Italy.

On the other side of the diptych, there is a prayer for fatherhood, making this a perfect gift for Father's Day, celebrating a new or expectant Father, or for your parish priest.