The Year of St. Joseph

02-16-2021Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

Did you know that Pope Francis declared this a Year of St. Joseph - from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021? The aim of the Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde “Heart of the Father,” announcing this special year, is “to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal.” It was promulgated on December 8, 2020, the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, Joseph’s spouse, and the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pius IX declaring St. Joseph the Patron of the Catholic Church. Along with the Holy Father’s announcement came a proclamation from the Apostolic Penitentiary about special plenary indulgences that are now available for this Year of St. Joseph.

More information can be found in the December 10, 2020 article by John Pronechen: What the Year of St. Joseph Means, and How to Gain the Indulgences from National Catholic Register.

You are welcome to journey through this Lenten season with St. Joseph by way of a Virtual Retreat sponsored by St. John’s Seminary beginning this Wed, Feb 24 at 7:00pm. Learn why St. Joseph is such a popular patron and an important figure for Catholics of all times and places. What do we really know about him? What does he have to teach us about what it means to follow Christ and experience the fulfillment that comes from spiritual maturity? Hear from engaging speakers such as Bishop William Byrne, Bishop of Springfield, MA, Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, Fr. Michael MacInnis and Fr. Paul Ritt. For more information and to register, visit www.sjs.edu/lentenretreat.

God bless you!
Fr. Bob