Order of Carmelites

2021 is Year of St. Joseph

/ Carmel News / By

Pope Francis declared that the church will be dedicating the year to St. Joseph, from the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 2020 to the same feast in 2021.

In his Apostolic Letter, Patris corde (With a Father’s Heart), Pope Francis described St. Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father, a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, and a father in the shadows.

The letter marked the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as patron of the Universal Church by Bl. Pope Pius IX.

To end his letter, Pope Francis encourages all to say this prayer to 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.