Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas
We are now in the Year of St. Joseph, as proclaimed by Pope Francis last December 8, 2020. This celebration of the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church will last till December 8, 2021. There is a beautiful coincidence with the celebration by Philippine Catholics of the 500th anniversary of the beginning of Christianity in our archipelago. It was in 1521 when Ferdinand Magellan landed in Cebu, bringing with him the cross. As I wrote last week, Catholics in the Philippines are fortunate that during these very troubled times of the pandemic they can turn to a very powerful intercessor to ask God for protection and help, whether they be overseas workers, workers in general and fathers especially of little children.
Patris corde By Kim Ae-ran With a father s heart… A newly proclaimed apostolic letter, titled Patris corde, begins with the appeal to live with fatherly love.
In memory of the 150th anniversary of Pope Pius IX s proclamation of Saint Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church, Pope Francis proclaimed a special Year of Saint Joseph, together with a proclamation from the Apostolic Penitentiary about special plenary indulgences extended to the elderly, the sick and the dying, from Dec. 8, 2020, to Dec. 8, 2021.
Pope Pius XII proposed Saint Joseph as the Patron of workers, and Saint Pope John Paul II proposed Saint Joseph as the Guardian of the Redeemer. Saint Joseph is also invoked as the Patron of a happy death. So, we pray to him that our time of death may be a moment of joy despite the presence of sorrow.
I m a real fan girl when it comes to Church holy years. I loved Pope John Paul II s three trinitarian years leading up to the new millennium, Pope Benedict XVI s Year of Faith, and Pope Francis Year of Mercy. Years like these provide an opportunity to focus our attention on one aspect of our faith in a way that generally doesn t just happen. It s almost like being on a year-long retreat with a billion other believers.
Usually, a holy year is announced well in advance and with a good deal of fanfare and preparation. Materials are made available: a motto is chosen, a logo is designed, a variety of diocesan events are planned, and banners are hung over parish doors. None of that accompanied the announcement of the Year of St. Joseph, commemorating the 150th anniversary of his designation as Patron of the Universal Church. Instead, the Holy Father surprised us all with a new Apostolic Letter this week, Patris corde ( With a Father s Heart ), proclaiming a special year that begins, no