In this Year of St. Joseph, the Universal Church is taking the opportunity to study this saint in more depth. Friendship with St. Joseph is a well-established tradition of the Discalced Carmelite order, beginning with St. Teresa of Jesus.

In her writings, St. Thérèse used the rose to signify both love and sacrifice. This mosaic, then, is uniquely suited to both the Easter season and the Basilica itself.