This coming 2021 will be a special year for the Church. It will be dedicated to St. Joseph. Pope Francis declared it to commemorate 150 years since St. Joseph was named patron saint of the universal Church in 1870, during Pius IX's pontificate.
POPE FRANCIS
“God entrusted to him His most precious treasures: Jesus and Mary, and he responded fully with faith, with courage, with tenderness, with a father's heart.”
Pope Francis' objective is “to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal.”
(Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde)
To guide this year, Pope Francis has published the Apostolic Letter, “Patris Corde,” “With a Father's Heart.” In it, he explains that “the two Evangelists who speak most of Joseph, tell us very little, yet enough for us to appreciate what sort of father he was, and the mission entrusted to him by God's providence.”
The letter outlines seven characteristics of St. Joseph's life, from love, tenderness, obedience and acceptance, to qualities like courage, creativity, his example of work and his discreet way of serving behind the scenes.
Pope Francis also offered the possibility to obtain a plenary indulgence until Dec. 8, 2021.
MASSIMO DEL POZZO
Pontifical University of the Holy Cross
January 9, 2016
“It is a great manifestation of mercy and compassion. The Church shows her motherhood by settling all debts and consequences of sin.”
The conditions to obtain the plenary indulgence during the Year of St. Joseph are the same as always: going to confession, receiving communion and praying for the pope's intentions.
Daniel Díaz Vizzi
Translation: CT
