On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis declared a Year of St. Joseph “to perpetuate the entrustment of the whole Church to the powerful patronage of the Guardian of Jesus” and so that “the faithful may daily strengthen their life of faith through the example of [St. Joseph].” Celebrating the 150th anniversary of Pope Pius IX’s declaration of St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church, this Year of St. Joseph is an opportunity to entrust ourselves more completely to the foster-father of Jesus and spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
As Knights we are called to reflect upon the life and example of Saint Joseph and seek to imitate his virtue as our Blessed founder did. Consider utilizing the resources on this page throughout the Year of St. Joseph and especially in preparation for the Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19 and the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker on May 1.
To help men live out the joy of Christ, and to provide all members of the parish community with examples of virtue, prudence and fatherhood, knights are encouraged to lead their communities in a consecration to St. Joseph during this year of St. Joseph. By this act of consecration, we ask for the aid and intercession of the foster father of Jesus Christ, St. Joseph, who serves as a true model for every man. Preparing for the Consecration to St. Joseph is not a single event, it is choosing a way of life for oneself. Through this act, each participant consciously chooses to be a beacon of God’s love, authentic masculinity, and to hold himself and his brothers to the standard established by St. Joseph, Chaste Protector of the Virgin, Defender of the Universal Church and Terror of Demons.
This consecration can be done by an individual, a family, a council, or an entire parish community. It is important to make spiritual preparations leading up to the consecration by learning more about St. Joseph and praying for his intercession regularly. The resources listed here can be used and adapted as needed to make a Consecration to St. Joseph this year.
“After Mary, the Mother of God, no saint is mentioned more frequently in the papal magisterium than Joseph, her spouse.” Pope Francis, Patris Corde
Popes throughout the years have encouraged the faithful to “go to Joseph” and entrust ourselves to his protection. These writings offer reflections on who Joseph is and why we should turn to him in all of our needs.
Below is a selection of some of these writings from the last 150 years since Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church. In the Year of St. Joseph, reading these documents is an ideal way to learn more about and grow closer to this great saint.
Patris Corde, Apostolic Letter of Pope Francis, 2020
“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.”
Redemptoris Custos, Apostolic Exhortation of St. John Paul II, 1989
“Besides trusting in Joseph's sure protection, the Church also trusts in his noble example, which transcends all individual states of life and serves as a model for the entire Christian community, whatever the condition and duties of each of its members may be.”
Quamquam Pluries, Encyclical of Leo XIII, 1889
“It is, then, natural and worthy that as the Blessed Joseph ministered to all the needs of the family at Nazareth and girt it about with his protection, he should now cover with the cloak of his heavenly patronage and defend the Church of Jesus Christ.”
Quemadmodum Deus, Pius IX Decree declaring St. Joseph Patron of the Universal Church – Dec. 8, 1870
“As almighty God appointed Joseph, son of the patriarch Jacob, over all the land of Egypt to save grain for the people, so when the fullness of time had come and He was about to send to earth His only-begotten Son, the Savior of the world, He chose another Joseph, of whom the first had been the type, and He made him the lord and chief of His household and possessions, the guardian of His choicest treasures.”
What is an Indulgence?
Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1471
"An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints."
"An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin." Indulgences may be applied to the living or the dead.
How to receive a plenary indulgence for the Year of St. Joseph
A plenary indulgence is granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion, and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father) to the faithful who, with a heart free from all attachment to sin, participate in the Year of St. Joseph by any of the following ways:
a. Meditate on the Lord’s Prayer for at least 30 minutes or spend at least one day on a spiritual retreat which includes a meditation on St. Joseph
b. Following the example of St. Joseph, complete a spiritual or corporal work of mercy
c. Recite the rosary as a family or as an engaged couple
d. Entrust your daily activity to the protection of St. Joseph and pray to St. Joseph to intercede for those who are seeking work and for everyone’s work to be more dignified.
e. Recite the Litany of St. Joseph or the Akathist hymn to St. Joseph, or another prayer to St. Joseph particular to another liturgical tradition, for the persecuted Church and for the relief of all persecuted Christians
f. Recite another appropriate prayer or pious act in honor of St. Joseph (e.g. the “To Thee, O Blessed Joseph”) especially on March 19 (Solemnity of St. Joseph), May 1 (Feast of St. Joseph the Worker), the Feast of the Holy Family, the Sunday of St. Joseph (in the Byzantine Tradition), the 19th of each month, and every Wednesday
Given the present circumstances, the gift of a plenary indulgence is especially imparted to the elderly, the sick, the suffering and all who are not able to leave their homes for legitimate reasons if, detesting each of their sins and with the intention of fulfilling, as soon as possible the three usual conditions, either at home or wherever they are detained, offer pious prayers in honor of St. Joseph, the solace of the sick and the patron of a happy death, with the sorrows and inconveniences of their life confidently offered to our merciful God.
To help men live out the joy of Christ, and to provide all members of the parish community with examples of virtue, prudence and fatherhood, knights are encouraged to lead their communities in a consecration to St. Joseph during this year of St. Joseph. By this act of consecration, we ask for the aid and intercession of the foster father of Jesus Christ, St. Joseph, who serves as a true model for every man. Preparing for the Consecration to St. Joseph is not a single event, it is choosing a way of life for oneself. Through this act, each participant consciously chooses to be a beacon of God’s love, authentic masculinity, and to hold himself and his brothers to the standard established by St. Joseph, Chaste Protector of the Virgin, Defender of the Universal Church and Terror of Demons.
This consecration can be done by an individual, a family, a council, or an entire parish community. It is important to make spiritual preparations leading up to the consecration by learning more about St. Joseph and praying for his intercession regularly. The resources listed here can be used and adapted as needed to make a Consecration to St. Joseph this year.
“After Mary, the Mother of God, no saint is mentioned more frequently in the papal magisterium than Joseph, her spouse.” Pope Francis, Patris Corde
Popes throughout the years have encouraged the faithful to “go to Joseph” and entrust ourselves to his protection. These writings offer reflections on who Joseph is and why we should turn to him in all of our needs.
Below is a selection of some of these writings from the last 150 years since Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church. In the Year of St. Joseph, reading these documents is an ideal way to learn more about and grow closer to this great saint.
Patris Corde, Apostolic Letter of Pope Francis, 2020
“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.”
Redemptoris Custos, Apostolic Exhortation of St. John Paul II, 1989
“Besides trusting in Joseph's sure protection, the Church also trusts in his noble example, which transcends all individual states of life and serves as a model for the entire Christian community, whatever the condition and duties of each of its members may be.”
Quamquam Pluries, Encyclical of Leo XIII, 1889
“It is, then, natural and worthy that as the Blessed Joseph ministered to all the needs of the family at Nazareth and girt it about with his protection, he should now cover with the cloak of his heavenly patronage and defend the Church of Jesus Christ.”
Quemadmodum Deus, Pius IX Decree declaring St. Joseph Patron of the Universal Church – Dec. 8, 1870
“As almighty God appointed Joseph, son of the patriarch Jacob, over all the land of Egypt to save grain for the people, so when the fullness of time had come and He was about to send to earth His only-begotten Son, the Savior of the world, He chose another Joseph, of whom the first had been the type, and He made him the lord and chief of His household and possessions, the guardian of His choicest treasures.”
What is an Indulgence?
Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1471
"An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints."
"An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin." Indulgences may be applied to the living or the dead.
How to receive a plenary indulgence for the Year of St. Joseph
A plenary indulgence is granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion, and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father) to the faithful who, with a heart free from all attachment to sin, participate in the Year of St. Joseph by any of the following ways:
a. Meditate on the Lord’s Prayer for at least 30 minutes or spend at least one day on a spiritual retreat which includes a meditation on St. Joseph
b. Following the example of St. Joseph, complete a spiritual or corporal work of mercy
c. Recite the rosary as a family or as an engaged couple
d. Entrust your daily activity to the protection of St. Joseph and pray to St. Joseph to intercede for those who are seeking work and for everyone’s work to be more dignified.
e. Recite the Litany of St. Joseph or the Akathist hymn to St. Joseph, or another prayer to St. Joseph particular to another liturgical tradition, for the persecuted Church and for the relief of all persecuted Christians
f. Recite another appropriate prayer or pious act in honor of St. Joseph (e.g. the “To Thee, O Blessed Joseph”) especially on March 19 (Solemnity of St. Joseph), May 1 (Feast of St. Joseph the Worker), the Feast of the Holy Family, the Sunday of St. Joseph (in the Byzantine Tradition), the 19th of each month, and every Wednesday
Given the present circumstances, the gift of a plenary indulgence is especially imparted to the elderly, the sick, the suffering and all who are not able to leave their homes for legitimate reasons if, detesting each of their sins and with the intention of fulfilling, as soon as possible the three usual conditions, either at home or wherever they are detained, offer pious prayers in honor of St. Joseph, the solace of the sick and the patron of a happy death, with the sorrows and inconveniences of their life confidently offered to our merciful God.