St. Joseph, Light of Patriarchs
Reflection by Our Lady of the Angels Province, Minister Provincial
The Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv.
St. Joseph, Husband of Mary
Reflection by Our Lady of the Angels Province, Vicar Provincial
Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv.
St. Joseph the Worker – Year of St. Joseph
Reflection by Our Lady of the Angels Province Friar and Assistant General of our Order of Friars Minor Conventual
Fr. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv.
The Example of St. Joseph
Reflection by President of Archbishop Curley High School
Fr. Donald Grzymski, OFM Conv.
The Prayer of Saint Joseph & St. Joseph – Guardian of Christ
Recited and Reflection by and our Province Vocation Director
Br. Nick Romeo, OFM Conv.
There are two Feast Days devoted to St. Joseph as an individual: March 19th is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary & May 1st is the Feast of St. Joseph, the Worker. The shared Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is celebrated the Sunday after Christmas, each year. The March 19th Feast Day is the most commonly celebrated Feast Day of St. Joseph throughout the world. Although a remembrance of St. Joseph on March 19th goes back as far as the 10th century, March 19th was officially established a Feast Day by Pope Pius V in 1570. It was not until 1955 that Pope Pius XII established the second Feast Day on May 1st, as the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, coinciding with May Day – International Workers’ Day. During this Year of St. Joseph (December 8, 2020 – December 8, 2021), the faithful are also encouraged to remember St. Joseph on the 19th of each month and every Wednesday.
Reflections from Vatican News
Although it really can be started at any time, traditionally each year, on March 10th, many of the faithful begin a St. Joseph Novena. Many versions can be found online and it is also prayed after Mass in many parishes, from March 10th until March 18th. The online resources are a great way to join in prayer during these times of pandemic restrictive protocol.
Official Prayer of the Year of St. Joseph
To thee, O blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our affliction, and having implored the help of thy thrice holy Spouse, we now, with hearts filled with confidence, earnestly beg thee also to take us under thy protection. By that charity wherewith thou wert united to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by that fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, we beseech thee and we humbly pray that thou wilt look down with gracious eye upon that inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased by His blood, and wilt succor us in our need by thy power and strength.
Defend, O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen off-spring of Jesus Christ. Keep from us, O most loving Father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, most valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers of darkness. And even as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the peril of His life, so now defend God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield us ever under thy patronage, that, following thine example and strengthened by thy help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting bliss in Heaven. Amen.
Composed by Pope Leo XIII in his 1889 encyclical, Quamquam Pluries.
