The Year of Saint Joseph: A Great Opportunity for the Church
The scenario at the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021 appears very different from that with which 2019 concluded. A year ago, on the level of international politics, the victory of Donald Trump in the following year’s election seemed sure, without any electoral fraud able to threaten it. The resistance against the revolutionary forces which dominate the world was shown in many ways: by great pro-life events to anticommunist demonstrations in Hong Kong, to the formations of Catholics in Acies Ordinata. The groups most tied to Tradition were on the attack, with a substantial unity of purpose.
A year later, the scenario has changed. The most worrying aspect of the panorama which we have before us, is not the COVID-19 pandemic, nor the “Great Reset” which is spoken of so much, not even the unexpected defeat of President Trump, but the disunion which is showing itself among the defenders of the Church and the natural Christian order. The points in which this discord is manifested are not of the theoretical order, but practical, and they are a direct consequence of the Coronavirus. The animated discussions on the existence of a health conspiracy, or on the liceity of vaccination, touch daily life, thereby raising up sentiments of emotion, anger, and depression among Catholics. We feel darkly threatened, and an atmosphere of deaf rebellion against everything is spread about.
The world, disturbed and agitated, attributes what is happening to governments or to hidden powers, without going to the ultimate causes, which are the sins of men. Divine chastisements are not recognized as such, and where there is excitement and feverish activity, Divine Grace does not enter. Grace requires calm, reflection, the order which the Holy Family modeled. For this, there is nothing better, in these days, than to raise our gaze to Saint Joseph, who in the cold and dark of a difficult journey, brought the Holy Family entrusted to him to Bethlehem with prudence and courage. (cf. Lectures of Roberto de Mattei)
On December 8, 1870, Blessed Pius IX with the decree Quemadmodum Deus, declared St. Joseph to be Patron of the Catholic Church. This decree gave canonical form to the truth according to which Saint Joseph protects the Church as he protected with his authority the Holy Family during his life. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the decree of Pius IX, Pope Francis announced a Year of Saint Joseph, from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021. On this occasion, the Apostolic Penitentiary, which is the supreme tribunal of the Church, granted to the faithful the extraordinary gift of special indulgences. In fact, with a decree of Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, Major Penitentiary of the Church, emitted in conformity with the will of Pope Francis: “the Apostolic Penitentiary grants the Plenary Indulgence according to the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer according to the intentions of the Holy Father) to the faithful, who with a soul detached from any sin, will participate in the Year of Saint Joseph, in the ways which the same Congregation indicates.”
The foreseen ways to obtain the Indulgence are numerous. Among these are the recitation of the Holy Rosary in the family, the recitation of the Litany of Saint Joseph, or any prayer to Saint Joseph legitimately approved, like the prayer “To thee, o Blessed Joseph,” especially on the occasions of March 19, May 1, and on the feast of the Holy Family, the 19th of every month, and every Wednesday, the day dedicated to recalling the Saint. We know, in fact, that an indulgence is the remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sin already remitted, which the faithful gain by the intervention of the Church, which has the power to dispense the treasures of the satisfaction of Christ and of the Saints. The Church is not an invisible reality, but a juridically perfect society, equipped with all the means to operate in view of fulfilling her mission.
It is not easy to gain a plenary indulgence, because a disposition of soul which excludes every attachment to even venial sin is necessary. However, every indulgence, even partial, is a great gift of the Church, especially because it cancels out, in whole or in part, the punishments due to sin, on earth or in Purgatory. We must take note of the fact, that with his decree, Holy Father has offered a precious aid to faithful Catholics who need the special assistance of Grace in the time of convulsion in which we live. After the Blessed Virgin Mary, no other human creature had the faith of Saint Joseph and no one was more logical and reflective than he. In the Year dedicated to him, let us ask Saint Joseph to grant us the sense of the Faith, and the use of reason necessary to orient us, without getting lost, toward the Divine Cave of Bethlehem.
Year of St. Joseph Indulgences
Granted by the Holy See from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021
Below is a summary of how you can receive the special indulgences granted by the Holy See for the Year of St. Joseph
The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Joseph on the Sunday after Christmas
The plenary indulgence is granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for to the intentions of the Holy Father) to the faithful who, with a spirit detached from any sin, participate in the Year of Saint Joseph on the occasions and in the manner indicated by this Apostolic Penitentiary:
Meditate for at least 30 minutes on the Our Father
Participate in a spiritual retreat of at least one day that includes a meditation on Saint Joseph
Perform a corporal or spiritual work of mercy
Recite the Holy Rosary in families and between the husband and wife
Entrust their work daily to the protection of Saint Joseph and to all believers who invoke with their prayers the intercession of the worker of Nazareth
Pray the litany of Saint Joseph (for the Latin tradition), or the Akathistos to Saint Joseph, in its entirety or at least part of it (for the Byzantine tradition), or some other prayer to Saint Joseph, typical of the other liturgical traditions, for the persecuted Church and for the relief of all persecuted Christians
Pray any lawfully approved prayer or act of piety in honor of Saint Joseph, for example “To you oh blessed Joseph,” especially on:
March 19th (Solemnity of St. Joseph)
May 1st (Feast of St. Joseph the Worker)
December 26th (Feast of the Holy Family)
Sunday of Saint Joseph (according to the Byzantine tradition; The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Joseph Feast on the Sunday after Christmas)
The 19th day of every month
Every Wednesday (a day dedicated to the memory of the Saint according to the Latin tradition)
The gift of plenary indulgence extends particularly to —
· The elderly
· The sick
· The dying
· All those who for legitimate reasons cannot leave their home - who, with the spirit detached from any sin and with the intention of fulfilling, as soon as possible, the three usual conditions, in your own home or wherever the impediment holds you, pray an act of piety in honor of Saint Joseph, consolation of the sick and patron of good death, confidently offering God the pains and difficulties of his life.
Please see attached DECREE - The gift of special Indulgences is granted on the occasion of the Year of Saint Joseph, announced by Pope Francis to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the universal Church. This is a precious aid offered by Holy Father to faithful Catholics who need the special assistance of Grace in the time of convulsion in which we live.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george