In December 2020, Pope Francis designated the following year, through December 8 of 2021 as the Year of St. Joseph. What better time, as our world struggles through a myriad of challenges, to go to the patron of the Universal Church and the Father of the Holy Family for guidance and protection.
The Year of St. Joseph Prayer
The official prayer of the Year of St. Joseph was composed by Pope Leo XIII in his 1889 encyclical, Quamquam Pluries.
To you, O blessed Joseph (Ad te, beate Ioseph)
To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our afflictions, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also.
Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.
O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness.
As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.
Cuppa Joe
The Archdiocese is hosting a series of 10 talks on different aspects of St. Joseph, from churches across the archdiocese dedicated to him. Watch the video below, and sign up to receive notifications of the talks here. Or return to this page, beginning March 3 and each first Tuesday of the month through December to see the talks. A list of the talks can be found here.
November 2, Talk #9, "Patron of a Happy Death"
October 5, Talk #8, "Silent Witness"
September 7, Talk #7, "Adorer of Christ"
August 3, Talk #6, "Savior of the Savior"
July 6, Talk #5, "Just and Reverent Man"
June 1, Talk #4, "Virginal Father of Jesus"
May 4, Talk #3, "Young Husband of Mary"
April 6, Talk #2, "Our Spiritual Father"
March 2, Talk #1, "The Delight of Saints"