The Vatican has announced the beginning of a special year dedicated to Saint Joseph, hailing him as a model of fatherhood and a key intercessor in modern times.
In a new Apostolic Letter entitled Patris corde, Pope Francis marks the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX’s declaration of Saint Joseph as a Patron of the Universal Church. The document also details several conditions under which a plenary indulgence will be available.
- Announcement from Vatican News
- Apostolic Letter Patris corde
- Details regarding the conditions for plenary indulgence
Pope Francis’s Prayer to Saint Joseph
At the end of his Apostolic Letter, Pope Francis encourages the faithful to pray the following prayer:
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
