(1ST CENT.)
[Roman Martyrology, inserted by Baronius, because observed as a double
by the Canons of the Vatican, who possess an arm of the saint. In
Liege, where other relics are preserved, on Feb. 22nd; by the Greeks
on July 31st.]
When Christ came into the world, one Joseph took Him into his arms
and cherished Him in His infancy; another Joseph received Him when He
was dead, and ministered to His inanimate body. Joseph, a native of
Arimathæa, said by S. Matthew to have been rich, and called by S. Mark
a counsellor, appears to have lived in Jerusalem, where he possessed
a garden. According to S. John, he was a disciple in secret of the
Son of God; that he was a just man, we are told by S. Luke. After the
Crucifixion he cast aside the fears which had restrained him from
professing openly his conviction, and going boldly to Pilate, he craved
of him the body of Jesus. He then bought the winding sheet, and going
to Calvary, detached from the Cross the dead body of Christ, assisted
by S. John the Evangelist, S. Mary Magdalene, and Mary the wife of
Cleopas. Joseph and Nicodemus anointed the body with myrrh and aloes,
and laid it in the sepulchre of Joseph.
Many strange traditions have attached themselves to Joseph of
Arimathæa, as that he came to Britain, and planted his staff at
Glastonbury; but as these legends are wholly worthless, they must be
here passed over.
His body is said to have been buried by Fortunatus, patriarch of Grado,
in the abbey of Moyen-Moutier; but no relics of it now remain there,
though some are shown elsewhere.