Pope announces a Year of St. Joseph!

Pope Francis has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” beginning today, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021.

With the Apostolic Letter Patris corde (“With a Father’s Heart”) published today, Pope Francis connects our current need for Saint Joseph in our Church to the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. This is more significant than we yet realize! Saint Teresa of Avila and other saints said that Saint Joseph would arise to great importance in the world in the final days. He is the patron saint of the final days and patron saint of fatherhood.

At the conclusion of his Letter, Pope Francis gives us a new prayer to St Joseph, which he encourages all of us to pray together:

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.

This Year of Saint Joseph is extremely important in the battle against the devil’s work in the Church and in families. Skip to or re-read what I wrote about St Joseph in chapter 26 of my book, The Father’s Heart.