The Diocese of La Crosse honored men on Father's Day, which originated as a Catholic holiday, Sunday by asking people to pray for them to be better fathers.

“St. Joseph is the model husband and father,” the diocese posted on social media. “Pray for all husbands and fathers in our world, that they may express Joseph’s selflessness and courage in the hearts of their homes. Happy Father's Day!” 

Father's Day began as a Catholic holiday sometime in the Middle Ages. It used to be celebrated on March 19, which is the feast of St. Joseph. The reason the day was shared between the two events is that St. Joseph is perceived as an exemplary father. 

St. Joseph, a carpenter, was engaged to Mary at the time she became pregnant with Jesus, according to Catholic.org. Because he knew the baby wasn’t his and that adulterous women could be stoned to death, Joseph decided to send her quietly away. Before he could do that, an angel appeared before him to tell him that he should take Mary as his wife because the child she carried was the son of God. Joseph took the angel at its word and married Mary. Joseph has since become the patron saint of the Universal Church, unborn children, and fathers. 

"Fatherhood has its origins in God, who chose to reveal Himself to us as Our Father, sending his only Son for the sake of our salvation," the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) advised in a release. "Fathers, therefore, have a special role 'in revealing and in reliving on earth the very fatherhood of God' (Familiaris consortio 25). Father’s Day is an appropriate time to recall the essential role of fathers in the life of the family and in building a culture of life. It is also an opportunity to highlight spiritual fatherhood, which all men are called to embrace.”