The next March, 19 Father’s Day is celebrated again, a day that has been celebrated for decades, although not all countries celebrate it on the same day, so now we are going to answer the question, Why is Father’s Day celebrated on March 19?
Why is Father’s Day celebrated on March 19?
In Spainas in other countries such as Portugal, Italy, Andorra, Honduras or Bolivia, Father’s Day is celebrated on March 19, on the occasion of the religious festival of Saint Joseph, the putative father of Jesus Christ who died on that day, so this is the main reason why the now popular date was chosen.
Thus, on March 19, celebrates the figure of Saint Joseph, the symbol of fatherhood, the one who cared for Jesus, along with Mary. In fact, the cult of Saint Joseph originated in the early Middle Agesbut it comes from the Eastern churches, according to which March 19 coincides with his death. The celebration was included in the Roman calendar in the West, around 1479, at the request of Pope Sixtus IV and only at the end of the 19th century (1871), Saint Joseph became the protector of the parents of the family.
Although very little is mentioned in the Gospels, from the first centuries after Christ several legends and traditions related to Saint Joseph were born, so much so that Catholics considered him the last patriarch of the bible. José is a father who does not threaten, does not curse, does not conspire, he married a virgin whose son he cared for and who taught him a job, letting him go alone when he had nothing else to teach him. In summary, he is the first man in history who has really behaved like a father and no longer as a patriarch. As we have mentioned, the feast of Saint Joseph was inserted into the Roman calendar by Pope Sixtus IV around 1479 and became the patron saint of Catholic countries such as Mexico, Canada, and Belgium.
According to scholars, however, the Father’s Day holiday would have even deeper roots. In fact, On March 19 the Romans celebrated bacchanalsand in all the regions of the Empire banquets were prepared for the poor, the women prepared bread and fritters that recalled those sold by Saint Joseph during his escape to Egypt, with Mary and Jesus to survive.
Father’s day in Spain
In Spain Father’s Day began to be celebrated in 1953 when Jose Fernandez Rodriguez manager of Galerías Preciados, launched a press and radio campaign to celebrate Father’s Day, although The first time this day was celebrated in our country was in 1948.when the teacher Manuela Vicente Ferrero, wanted to celebrate a party in his school in honor of the parents, so that they would not feel jealous about the celebration of Mother’s Day. The following year he spread the idea in the pages of “El Correo de Zamora” and the “Spanish Magisterio”, but it was not until Fernández Rodríguez’s campaign that it really began to be celebrated throughout Spain every March 19.
father’s day in the world
In the rest of the world, however, the Father’s day It is not celebrated on the occasion of the religious festival of San José. Most countries in the world, for example, follow the tradition of the USA, that establishes a variable date, which corresponds to the third Sunday in June . The list is very long and also includes some European countries with a strong Christian tradition: not only the United States and almost all of Latin America, but also France, Greece, the United Kingdom, or Ireland.
In other states, however, Father’s Day is celebrated on other dates, depending on the meaning given to it based on local traditions and history. In Russiafor example, celebrates 23 of February on the occasion of Defenders of the Fatherland Day, while in almost all Oceania the common date is the first Sunday of September. Thailandon the other hand, always celebrates the December 5thdate of birth of sovereign Rama XI, who died in 2016 and is considered the father of the entire nation.
Also along with the dates there are different celebrations depending on each country. Thus, in France where it is celebrated on the third Sunday in June as in the United States, the children give their father a red rose; In Englandwhere Father’s Day is also celebrated on the third Sunday in June, usually receive chocolates and greeting cards; in Germany Father’s Day falls on Ascension Day, celebrated 39 days after Easter Sunday and everything is allowed: parents celebrate in style. In Russia, Father’s Day, which we have already said falls on February 23, the day is used to hold various events that commemorate those who died for the country. Also citing the Scandinavian countries and specifically, Denmark Father’s Day is celebrated on second Sunday of November and June 5, respectively.
Therefore, the father figure is an important figure that is recognized and celebrated throughout the world for its fundamental importance, so that There is less left for that March 19 and celebrate in style the importance of parents in our lives.
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