This icon has an important connotation and its presence in the VI International Families’ Congress answers the need for looking at the roots of the whole Christian family: the family of Nazareth.

This piece of art prevailed in the V Families’ Meeting carried out in Valencia, Spain in 2006.

MEANING.
It represents the journey back from Jerusalem, after Jesus was found in the Temple.

Saint Joseph carries Jesus on his shoulders, and Jesus is looking at his mother, Virgin Maria. During the journey, Maria delivers the papyrus to him with the words that announce his mission. The text from Isaiah 61,1-2 is written in Greek: “The Lord’s spirit is on me, as he has elected me…”.

Saint Joseph’s face reflects the features of Yaweh’s servant “the face of the Holy Shroud”, as a preparation symbol for the mission of God’s servant who carries the world’s sins.