A Year of St. Joseph
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December 8, 2020 - December 8, 2021Beginning Dec. 8, 2020, Pope Francis has called for a Year of St. Joseph (read the decree here), “in which all faithful, after his example, may daily reinforce their own life of faith in complete fulfillment of God’s will.” Through the Apostolic Penitentiary the Holy Father has extended a series of plenary indulgences centered around devotion to St. Joseph (read article with practical guidance here).
I encourage you, either individually or as a family, to take up this call to grow closer to Jesus and the Church through devotion to St. Joseph. Pray the Rosary as a family; pray the Litany of St. Joseph; entrust your life to the protection of the protector of the Holy Family. The Holy Father then asks us to join him in prayer, and so we pray: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.- from the homily on 1/3/21 about St. Joseph on Epiphany/Holy Name, given by Fr. David Carter, Pastor and Rector (Read full homily here)
- Read Fr. Carter's Pastor's Notes from 1/17/21 about celebrating the Year of St. Joseph, including the indulgences offeredResources
PrayersDevotions
Seven Sundays Devotion
(Jan. 31-Mar. 14, 2021)
On seven consecutive Sundays, especially preceding his solemnity on Mar. 19, recite the prayers in honor of the Seven Sorrows and the Seven Joys of St. Joseph, and receive Holy Communion in his honor.
For Sunday, Jan. 31:First Sorrow: The doubt of St. Joseph. (Matt. 1:19)
But Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wishing to expose her to reproach, was minded to put her away privately.
First Joy: The message of the Angel. (Matt. 1:20)
But while he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Do not be afraid, Joseph, son of David, to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is begotten in her is of the Holy Spirit.Prayers:
O chaste Spouse of Mary most holy, glorious St. Joseph, great was the trouble and anguish of your heart when you wert minded to put away privately your inviolate Spouse, yet your joy was unspeakable when the surpassing mystery of the Incarnation was made known to you by the Angel! By this sorrow and this joy, we beseech you to comfort our souls, both now and in the sorrows of our final hour, with the joy of a good life and a holy death after the pattern of your own, in the arms of Jesus and Mary.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . .
More information on the Seven Sorrows & Seven Joys / Seven Sundays, & other devotionsHymns
Te Joseph Celebrent hymn in Latin:
O Blessed Saint Joseph hymn in English:
Traditions
Monthly Themes Inspired by Joseph's Virtues
JANUARY – Joseph, Most Valiant Protector of Church
St. Joseph had the entire Church under his protection since the Holy Family was the Church. Our Lady is the Mother and Image of the Church, the Holy Spirit the soul of the Church and Christ the Church’s head. To Joseph this treasure was entrusted and by his wit, his obedience and his sacrifice he valiantly defended them.
Sacred Artwork
Printable coloring page for kids
A Year of St. Joseph Recommended Resources
(published by the Diocese of Charlotte)
We will be adding more St. Joseph resources to this page during the year. Stay tuned!