YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH

PLENARY INDULGENCE FOR THE YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH 2/17/2021

The decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary made on December 8, 2020, announcing the decision of Pope Francis to celebrate this special Year of Saint Joseph in honor of the Guardian of the Redeemer through December 21, 2021 stated:

“ the faithful will have the opportunity to commit themselves “with prayer and good works, to obtain, with the help of St. Joseph, head of the Heavenly Family of Nazareth, comfort and relief from the serious human and social tribulations that besiege the contemporary world today.” (Church Grants Plenary Indulgence for the Year of St. Joseph, Adapted from the Vatican News article, December 8, 2020,Vatican City.)

Year of Saint Joseph Liturgical Reflections

The Saint Joseph Table

The Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is always on March 19th, in the middle of Lent, and is especially commemorated and celebrated in Italy, particularly in Sicily. St. Joseph has been long-regarded as the island’s patron saint. It is there that the tradition of the “Tavola di San Giuseppe” or “St. Joseph’s Table” has its origins.

The celebration is a symbolic “thank you” and a renewal of the Sicilian people’s devotion to Saint Joseph. It is a shared celebration with the entire community where the riches of food are given as alms to the poor: traditional etiquette is that no one can be turned away from this table. The origin of the celebration comes from the Middle Ages and is attributed to the end of a devastating drought and famine through a prayer-devotion that the Sicilian people made to St. Joseph. Food crops for both people and livestock withered and died. The people prayed to St. Joseph for help. Desperately-needed rain poured down. After the harvest, to show their gratitude, they prepared a table with special foods to honor St. Joseph. After thanking and honoring the saint, they distributed the food to the poor and less fortunate. It became an annual tradition and eventually spread throughout the world. The feast itself is celebrated after Mass.

As there is no meat on the Saint Joseph Table, a dispensation is unnecessary if March 19 falls on a Friday. (Learn more at https://yearofstjoseph.org/devotions/st-joseph-table) There are parishes in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown who have assumed this tradition but are unable to do so this year. Please go to www.dioceseaj.org for a taped presentation on the Saint Joseph Table with Fr. Brian Saylor, Pastor of Saint Rose of Lima Parish, Altoona. 2021, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Liturgy Committee, Liturgy Office, Mary, Mother of the Church Pastoral Center, 2713 W. Chestnut Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601.

THEOLOGY OF INDULGENCE

A traditional aspect of any Jubilee Year is the granting of the Jubilee indulgence. Although, not a Jubilee Year, the Special Year of Saint Joseph has been decreed as a special year in which the faithful can be granted a Plenary Indulgence. By definition, an indulgence is linked to jubilee themes of release, reconciliation and forgiveness of sins.

The very first Holy Year in 1300 possessed a serious penitential character where the faithful made pilgrimage and made a full confession of sins. The jubilee year indulgence was understood by Christians as the Old Testament Jewish traditions of the themes of release, forgiveness, and reconciliation. They were focused on the great redemption won by Christ and now available to all for the remission of sins. Over the centuries the great indulgence of the jubilee year developed and included pilgrimage, penance, confession of sins, and receiving Communion.

This pardon of sin, first of all, comes through the Church as a gift from God, through the power to forgive sins granted by Jesus Himself (Matthew 16:19; 18:18; John 20:22-23). This sacramental power of forgiveness of sins is present in the Church through the power of the Holy Spirit and a gift of God for release, forgiveness, and healing.

Once sin has been forgiven or pardoned, there is still a rupture or a disorderedness in the human person's relationship with God. A deep interior renewal of the person is still needed. This deep journey of conversion is a process that continues throughout the Christian life; recognition of sin, contrition, repentance, forgiveness, and ongoing personal renewal and healing. An indulgence is meant to re-order one's relationship with God and also to repair the defects of the disorder. ("Indulgences and the Jubilee Year 2000" - Aurelie A. Hagstrom, NCCB Subcommittee) 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 and the dead. [Catechism of the Catholic Church, Number 1471. (Pope Paul VI, Apostolic Constitution, "Indulgentiarum Doctrina."]

Conditions for the Plenary Indulgence for the Year of Saint Joseph

The usual conditions to receive a plenary indulgence:

1. Celebrate Sacramental Confession (going to Confession within 20 days before or within 20 days after the

indulgence is sought). A person should be of the spirit that is sincerely and willfully detached from any sin,

mortal and venial.

2. Receive Holy Communion while participating fully, actively, and consciously at Mass.

3. Pray for Pope’s needs and intentions: The Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Holy See made provision that persons who are currently unable to go to Mass or confession because of public health restrictions may defer reception of those two sacraments until they are able to do so. Those who are sick, suffering, or homebound may also receive the plenary indulgence as much as they are able and by offering their sorrows and sufferings to God through Saint Joseph, consoler of the sick and patron saint for receiving a good death.

Special opportunities indicated by the Apostolic Penitentiary for the Plenary Indulgence:

Meditate for at least 30 minutes on the Lord’s Prayer or participate in a spiritual retreat of at least one day that includes a meditation on Saint Joseph
Perform a corporal or spiritual work of mercy, inspired by the life and example of Saint Joseph
Pray the rosary together as a family, or an engaged or married couple, modeling the virtues of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Dedicate with confidence their daily work to the protection of Saint Joseph the Worker, including the efforts of those who are unemployed, underemployed, or seeking more dignified work
Devoutly recite the Litany of Saint Joseph or another suitable prayer in each liturgical tradition (Akathistos to St. Joseph, Byzantine), especially for the intentions of persecuted Catholics in the Church and around the world, and for all the relief of all Christians who suffer persecution in the world
Devoutly recite another approved prayer to Saint Joseph on various feasts of Saint Joseph: March 19 (his solemnity), May 1 (St. Joseph the Worker), or St. Joseph Sunday (according to the Byzantine tradition), or on the 19th day of each month, or each Wednesday, traditionally dedicated to honor his memory with pious devotions

Making a pilgrimage to a local designated site to satisfy the normal conditions is encouraged.

The local designated pilgrimage sites in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown will be:

Saint Joseph Church, Bellwood

Saint Joseph Church, Renovo

Saint Joseph the Worker Church, Williamsburg

Saint Joseph Mission Church at Hart’s Sleeping Place, Carrolltown

Schedules for prayer at the Churches as well as additional prayer opportunities will be published by the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, March 19, 2021.

SAINT JOSEPH PRAYERS

Daily Devotional Prayer of Pope Francis

Glorious Patriarch Saint Joseph, whose power makes the impossible possible, come to my aid in these times of anguish and difficulty. Take under your protection there series and troubling situations that I commend to you, that they may have a happy outcome.

My beloved father, all my trust is in you. Let it not be said that I invoked you in vain, and since you can do everything with Jesus and Mary, show me that your goodness is as great as your power. Amen.

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Prayer to the Sleeping Saint Joseph and Ancient Novena Prayer

Oh St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God. I place in you all my interest and desires. Oh St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercessions and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

So that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving Fathers. Of St. Josph, I never weary of contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart.

Press him in my name and kiss his fine head for me and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath,

St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for me and my loved ones, Amen.

From the Conclusion of the Apostolic Letter Patris Corde

Hail, Guardian and 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.

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Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that by Saint Joseph’s intercession your Church may constantly watch over the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation, whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Saint Joseph the Worker

O God, Creator of all things, who laid down for the human race the law of work, graciously grant that by the example of Saint Joseph and under his patronage, we may complete the works you set us to do and attain the rewards you promise. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

O God, who were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family, graciously grant that we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity, and so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

LITANY OF SAINT JOSEPH

Lord, have mercy on us Lord, have mercy on us,

Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.

God our Father in heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

Noble son of the House of David, pray for us.

Light of patriarchs, pray for us.

Husband of the Mother of God, pray for us.

Guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.

Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us.

Faithful guardian of Christ, pray for us.

Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.

Joseph, chaste and just, pray for us.

Joseph, prudent and brave, pray for us.

Joseph, obedient and loyal, pray for us.

Pattern of Patience, pray for us.

Lover of poverty, pray for us.

Model of workers, pray for us.

Example to parents, pray for us.

Guardian of virgins, pray for us.

Pillar of family life, pray for us.

Comfort of the troubled, pray for us.

Hope of the sick, pray for us.

Patron of the dying, pray for us.

Terror of evil spirits, pray for us.

Protector of the Church, pray for us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

God made him master of his household, And put him in charge of all that he owned.

Let us pray.

O God, who in your expressible providence were pleased to choose

Saint Joseph as spouse of the most holy Mother of your Son,

grant, we pray, that we, who revere him as our protector on earth,

may be worthy of his heavenly intercession.

Through Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

ST PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH

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