A Year of St. Joseph

Beginning 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 offered

Resources

Prayers

O Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations, to work with gratitude and joy, in a spirit of penance for the remission of my sins, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God, to work with order, peace, moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties, to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account that I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thine example, O Patriarch, St. Joseph. Such shall be my watch-word in life and in death.

– Composed by St. Pius X

Devotions

Seven Sundays Devotion

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. 

More information on the Seven Sorrows & Seven Joys / Seven Sundays, & other devotions

Hymns

Traditions

St. Joseph Table March 19, 2016

Monthly Themes Inspired by Joseph's Virtues

NOVEMBER – Joseph, Patron of Dying and Solace of the Afflicted   

What a blessed death to see God before you die and for God Himself to tell you to go. This was Joseph’s gift from his Son, who would hand his father over to His Father. Thus has Christ entrusted Joseph to have particular intercessory power for all those on the moment of death.  
  

Sacred Artwork 

The Death of St. Joseph – Giuseppe Maria Crespi (ca 1712)
 
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!