On December 18, 2020, Pope Francis declares 2020-2021 a year of St. Joseph…in honor of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as “Patron of the Universal Church”.
“Saint Joseph could not be other than the Guardian of the Church, for the Church is the continuation of the Body of Christ in history, even as Mary’s motherhood is reflected in the motherhood of the Church. In his continued protection of the Church, Joseph continues to protect the child and his mother, and we too, by our love for the Church, continue to love the child and his mother.” —POPE FRANCIS
St. Joseph modeled all the virtuous attributes to Jesus as he taught our Lord what it meant to be a man in the world. We can never underestimate the impact St. Joseph had upon the Blessed Mother or Jesus.
He was the first to believe Mary when she told of the story of the angel’s visit. He led his wife to Bethlehem and that manger. He was the first man to adore and worship our Lord, even before the shepherds and magi. When called upon, St. Joseph woke his wife and took his family away to safety in Egypt. We don’t have many stories of what St. Joseph did through the young life of Jesus. But, we know as Jesus’ father on earth, he had a responsibility to teach Jesus and raise Him in the faith. Strange as it may seem, St. Joseph probably taught the child Jesus how to pray.
Now as we enter a new year, we entrust our Holy Mother Church to the care of this mighty man. We consecrate ourselves to his care and ask him to teach us the same things he taught Jesus. We ask him to show us how to pray, how to live and work for the glory of God, how to stand before perfect holiness in Jesus, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary and consecrate ourselves to God the Father through our love of Mary and Jesus.
In 2021, we have many challenges set before us. The Church will come under attack in many new and evil ways. The men and women of true faith will face huge challenges. We will be attacked in every way possible against our faith. Society and culture are slipping further left and demanding that we denounce our faith. But, St. Joseph is the Protector of the Church Militant. He is a battle tested warrior. And, in 2021, we exalt his virtues and protections.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO ST. JOSEPH
Beloved St. Joseph,
Custodian of Christ, Spouse of the Virgin Mary, Protector of the Church:
I place myself beneath your paternal care. As Jesus and Mary entrusted you to protect and guide, to feed and safeguard them through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I entrust myself to your sacred fatherhood.
Gather me into your loving arms, as you gathered your Holy Family.
Press me to your heart as you pressed your Divine Child; hold me tightly as you held your Virgin Bride; intercede for me and my loved ones as you prayed for your beloved Family.
Take me, then, as your own child; protect me; watch over me; never lose sight of me.
Should I go astray, find me as you did your Divine Son, and place me again in your loving care that I may become strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God rest upon me. Therefore, I consecrate all that I am and all that I am not into your holy hands. As you carved and whittled the wood of the earth, mold and shape my soul into a perfect reflection of Our Savior.
As you rested in the Divine Will, so too, with fatherly love, help me to rest and remain always in the Divine Will, until we embrace at last in His Eternal Kingdom, now and forever, Amen. (composed by Mark Mallett)
St. Joseph, pray for us.