To mark the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as a Patron of the Universal Church, Pope Francis has proclaimed a ‘Year of St. Joseph’. This will be from 8th December 2020 to 8th December 2021.
Pope Francis talks of St Joseph being a father. He describes St Joseph as a beloved, obedient, accepting, creatively courageous and a father in the shadows. In a time where the World is in the middle of a pandemic, Pope Francis makes links to the importance of ‘ordinary’ people. In his apostolic letter Patriscordehe wrote‘In this, they resemble Saint Joseph, “the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence,” who nonetheless played “an incomparable role in the history of salvation.”
Throughout this year we will be learning about St. Joseph and making links to our virtues to live by.
Prayer for the Year of St Joseph
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father,
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and defend us from every evil.
Amen.
