The Cofradia de San Jose Obrero's mission is to spread the devotion to St. Joseph as the patron saint of workers, travelers, immigrants, engineers, and craftsmen and to facilitate recognition of our parish as a shrine and center of devotion and faith. Joseph is not limited to the aforementioned attributes as St. Joseph is also the patron saint of the Universal Church, of families, of fathers, of e
xpectant mothers, of house sellers and buyers and those who are praying for a peaceful death. Saint Joseph’s trust and obedience to God are the key values inspiring us to propagate this devotion. We want to impart to each of our members the valuable lessons we can learn from his examples, reflect on his virtues and in so doing live it in our daily lives- this is the purpose and main reason of the Cofradia. We want to become beacons of faith for all Catholics, worthy to be called devotees of St. Most importantly we want to mirror his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a loving husband and his commitment to the Christ child as His Earthly father; and through this path we may attain the glory and promise of salvation and eternal life. HISTORY OF THE COFRADIA
St. Joseph The Worker Parish is one of the oldest churches in the province of Bulacan. The desire to have a church built came from the narrative of a lost hunter who found an image of St. Joseph and through the light emanating from it enabled him to navigate his way out of the mountains and return home. In 1751, the parish was erected made from light materials. San Jose del Monte was formerly a part of the town of Meycauayan. This is supported by a decree from the Archbishop of Manila dated March 1750 on the creation of new municipalities. The municipality of San Jose del Monte was then officially founded on 2 March 1752. The construction to improve the church into a stone structure in 1842 and was finished in 1854. Like any other 19th century churches, this church underwent renovations and development to maintain its elegant and classic architecture. Joseph The Worker Parish has been a witness throughout the wars. It had been burned thrice but still survived over the years. Unfortunately, there are no surviving records documenting the emergence and establishment of the Cofradia de San Jose Obrero. Its original members cannot provide substantial information as well in terms of specific dates. All they can ascertain is that the Cofradia has been in existence for many years when they have already joined. Given that the title of St. Joseph as a worker is a recent attribute only instituted and propagated by the Catholic Church starting in 1955, it is safe to assume that the Cofradia began at the same time. MISSION AND VISION
To be recognized as drivers and trailblazers in promoting the devotion to St. Joseph the Worker in the Diocese of Malolos and in the Philippines.
• Through this, we aim to sanctify our members and their families by following the examples of St. Joseph.
• Through this devotion may our beliefs bear fruit in various acts of mercy to our neighbors, our parish, and our
community.
• Through all our efforts in honor of St. Joseph the Worker, may it strengthen our faith in God, whom he once
took under his arms and home as the Christ Child; and increase our love and devotion to the Blessed Virgin
Mary.
• By embracing the values and virtues propagated by the Cofradia, may it awaken in us a sincere practice of
faith, demonstrated by the frequent reception of the Sacraments, charitable works, and social apostolate.
• To help promote and propagate the devotion to St. Joseph the Worker within the Vicariate of San Jose, the
Diocese of Malolos and throughout the Philippines, to ensure that workers and the Catholic faithful in general
do not lose a Christian understanding of work as intended by Pope Pius XII on 1 May 1955 and his
predecessors.
• To help facilitate the declaration of our parish as a shrine and center of Catholic Faith and devotion to St. Joseph the Worker in the Diocese of Malolos and throughout the Philippines.
• To promote the true essence of conducting religious pilgrimages in our beloved city.
• To promote mutual assistance and cooperation among the membership of the Cofradia.
• To engage the Cofradia in religious and civic community activities, for the upliftment of our people.
