“Truly, I doubt not that the angels, wondering and adoring, came thronging in countless multitudes to that poor workshop to admire the humility of him who guarded that dear and divine child, and laboured at his carpenter’s trade to support the son and the mother who were committed to his care.”
St. Francis De Sales about St. Joseph
St Joseph's Icon
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8th December 2021- The new Icon will be blessed here at the Cathedral by Bishop Mark. The Sisters from Lynton will be joining us to sing vespers and everyone is invited to be here for this special moment ending the Year of St Joseph- as requested by Pope Francis. Our Icon will be a reminder of this special Year and will be placed in the Chapel of St Joseph in thanksgiving for the many blessings he has poured into our lives.
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“Year of St. Joseph” from January 1, 2020 to December 8, 2021 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph being solemnly declared Patron of the Catholic Church by Pope Pius IX
Marking the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph being declared patron of the universal church, Pope Francis proclaimed a yearlong celebration dedicated to the foster father of Jesus.
In a Dec. 8 apostolic letter, "Patris Corde" ("With a father's heart"), the pope said Christians can discover in St. Joseph, who often goes unnoticed, "an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble."
"St. Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. A word of recognition and of gratitude is due to them all," he said.
As Mary's husband and guardian of the son of God, St. Joseph turned "his human vocation to domestic love into a superhuman oblation of himself, his heart and all his abilities, a love placed at the service of the Messiah who was growing to maturity in his home."
Despite being troubled at first by Mary's pregnancy, he added, St. Joseph was obedient to God's will "regardless of the hardship involved."
"In every situation, Joseph declared his own 'fiat,' like those of Mary at the Annunciation and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane," the pope said. "All this makes it clear that St. Joseph was called by God to serve the person and mission of Jesus directly through the exercise of his fatherhood and that, in this way, he cooperated in the fullness of time in the great mystery of salvation and is truly a minister of salvation."
St. Joseph's unconditional acceptance of Mary and his decision to protect her "good name, her dignity and her life" also serves as an example for men today, the pope added.
"Today, in our world where psychological, verbal and physical violence toward women is so evident, Joseph appears as the figure of a respectful and sensitive man," he wrote.
Pope Francis also highlighted St. Joseph's "creative courage," not only in finding a stable and making it a "welcoming home for the son of God (who came) into the world," but also in protecting Christ from the threat posed by King Herod.
"The Holy Family had to face concrete problems like every other family, like so many of our migrant brothers and sisters who, today, too, risk their lives to escape misfortune and hunger. In this regard, I consider St. Joseph the special patron of all those forced to leave their native lands because of war, hatred, persecution and poverty," the Pope said.
In a Dec. 8 apostolic letter, "Patris Corde" ("With a father's heart"), the pope said Christians can discover in St. Joseph, who often goes unnoticed, "an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble."
"St. Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. A word of recognition and of gratitude is due to them all," he said.
As Mary's husband and guardian of the son of God, St. Joseph turned "his human vocation to domestic love into a superhuman oblation of himself, his heart and all his abilities, a love placed at the service of the Messiah who was growing to maturity in his home."
Despite being troubled at first by Mary's pregnancy, he added, St. Joseph was obedient to God's will "regardless of the hardship involved."
"In every situation, Joseph declared his own 'fiat,' like those of Mary at the Annunciation and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane," the pope said. "All this makes it clear that St. Joseph was called by God to serve the person and mission of Jesus directly through the exercise of his fatherhood and that, in this way, he cooperated in the fullness of time in the great mystery of salvation and is truly a minister of salvation."
St. Joseph's unconditional acceptance of Mary and his decision to protect her "good name, her dignity and her life" also serves as an example for men today, the pope added.
"Today, in our world where psychological, verbal and physical violence toward women is so evident, Joseph appears as the figure of a respectful and sensitive man," he wrote.
Pope Francis also highlighted St. Joseph's "creative courage," not only in finding a stable and making it a "welcoming home for the son of God (who came) into the world," but also in protecting Christ from the threat posed by King Herod.
"The Holy Family had to face concrete problems like every other family, like so many of our migrant brothers and sisters who, today, too, risk their lives to escape misfortune and hunger. In this regard, I consider St. Joseph the special patron of all those forced to leave their native lands because of war, hatred, persecution and poverty," the Pope said.
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.
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.
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Prayer for the Year of St. JosephHail, 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. |
50 years ago, on the 8th December 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph the Patron Saint of the Universal Church. To celebrate St. Joseph's care of the Church, Pope Francis has declared 2021 as the Year of St. Joseph. In doing this he asks us to deepen our awareness of who St. Joseph was and strive to emulate him. He says that St. Joseph is especially important to us during this time of pandemic since, like many of our frontline workers, St. Joseph held a great responsibility which he quietly committed himself to without much notice.
Here you will discover information about St. Joseph, devotions & prayers associated with him, as well as news about events we are holding to commemorate this great saint.
Pope Francis' Apostolic Letter Patris Corde - With a Father's Heart
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'Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble. Saint Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. A word of recognition and of gratitude is due to them all.'
Pope Francis - Patris Corde
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Pope Francis reflects on the role of St. Joseph in the life of Jesus and Mary, especially in his example as a father. Click the link below to read the full reflection.