The Josephan year

by Bruno Capparoni

At the beginning of the Apostolic Letter Patris Corde, dedicated to St. Joseph, Pope Francis writes this small sentence: «The two Evangelists, who highlighted his [St. Joseph's] figure, Matthew and Luke, say little, but enough". Simple yet bright statement! It pushes us to read in depth the few words of the Gospels dedicated to Joseph of Nazareth, because  in them there is enough to understand the excellence of this Saint.

Let us then continue on this path indicated by the Pope.

At the end of the well-known episode of twelve-year-old Jesus, found by Mary and Joseph in the temple, Saint Luke writes: "He therefore left with them and returned to Nazareth and was submissive to them". The life of Jesus up to the age of thirty is summed up in these three words: in Nazareth Jesus did what Mary and Joseph told him. But precisely here lies the reason that makes us trust in the powerful intercession of St. Joseph: Jesus does what he tells him. 

This doesn't seem like an invention  of the writer. It is the conviction of Saint Alphonsus de' Liguori, doctor of the Church, who in his Septenary of meditations in honor of Saint Joseph notes: «The humility of Jesus in obeying makes known that the dignity of Saint Joseph is superior to of all the saints, except the divine Mother." After Mary and like Mary, St. Joseph's prayer to Jesus is always effective.

To accompany this year of Saint Joseph, the Pious Union has decided to offer its Members, and all those who register, a simple box whose content is an invitation to pray to Saint Joseph.

First of all it will contain the new prayer booklet of the Pious Union. It will largely collect the traditional prayers to the Saint, but a section will be dedicated to those of the Popes of recent centuries, starting with Blessed Pius IX and ending with those of Pope Francis. The Office of Readings and the Morning Lauds of St. Joseph will also be proposed, to be used on Wednesdays, in analogy with the Office of St. Mary on Saturday. It will also contain the Septenary of Saint Alphonsus, a text full of authentic devotion.

Next to the booklet there will then be a beautiful crown of the Marian Rosary, to remind us that our prayer to the true Spouse of the virgin Mary (as Don Guanella prayed) is enriched with the prayer addressed to the Madonna.

Finally, there will also be a medium-sized icon, with an original depiction of St. Joseph. As is known, oriental icons have an almost sacramental function, which allows us to glimpse the divine in the faces of the saints and arouses the prayer of believers.

We therefore hope to offer a beautiful and useful gift that will accompany Christians throughout this year of St. Joseph.