On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis declared a special Year of St. Joseph to run through December 8, 2021. This marks the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church by Pope Pius IX. Pope Francis began the year with a new Apostolic Letter entitles Patris Corde (With a Father's Heart). The Holy Father reflected that COVID-19 "has helped us see more clearly the imporance of ordinary people who, though far from the limelight, exercise patience and offer hope every day." St. Joseph is the epitome of the quiet, ordinary person moving behind the scenes - and yet he shapes all of human history with his quiet guidance, protection, holiness, and acceptance of God's will.
Year of St. Joseph flyer: PDF | PNG
USCCB Novena to St. Joseph, March 10-18, 2021: English | Spanish (Español)
USCCB Year of St. Joseph Webpage - Additional Resources and Initiatives
USCCB Year of St. Joseph - Facebook Page
From the FDLC:
As the Church celebrates a Year of St. Joseph, join Msgr. Joseph DeGrocco (Diocese of Rockville Centre) for a special webinar on St. Joseph in the Church's liturgy. The presentation will include an exploration of the solemnities, feasts, and memorials of St. Joseph, as well as readings and the prayers of the Mass as they relate to the Universal Patron of the Church. The webinar is free and open to the public. Register today to watch live on April 27 (1pm ET) or for the session recording. Event registration is halfway down the webpage.
Because there is really no definitive teaching on St. Joseph, we can extrapolate from what we know about Jewish culture at the time and what we read in scripture to imagine what he must have been like. We do know that he can teach us about being a spouse, a parent, a follower of Christ. He can show us how to love Jesus and Mary better and, as patron of the family, he is a powerful intercessor for us! Listen in to this insightful conversation about the man who can serve as a model to us all – St. Joseph Podcast Link
Apostolic Letter: Patris Corde: With a Father's Heart: English | Spanish (Español)
Decree on Indulgences for the Year of St. Joseph: English | Spanish (Español)
Intercessions for the Year of St. Joseph: English | Spanish (Español)
USCCB: Prayers in Honor of St. Joseph
-Litany of St. Joseph
-Prayer to St. Joseph after the Rosary
-Other Prayers
Printable Coloring Prayer Card for Children
Resources from the FDLC
Other Prayers:
Prayer to St. Joseph for the Year of St. Joseph
Prayer to St. Joseph for an End to the Pandemic
Prayer to St. Joseph for Protection of Families and the Church
Prayer to St. Joseph for Employment
Prayer to St. Joseph for Workers
For more catechetical resources and reading, please visit the Faith Formation St. Joseph page. This will be updated as resources are curated.
Adapted St. Joseph Activities from National Catholic Partnership on Disability (en Español)