Celebrating the Year of St. Joseph

Archdiocese of Louisville

With the Apostolic Letter “Patris corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis marked the 150^th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. The Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021.

The Archdiocese of Louisville is dedicated to the patronage of St. Joseph and many institutions in the archdiocese have been named after or connected to St. Joseph – see a list here. You can also take the virtual history tour here of St. Joseph’s legacy in the Archdiocese of Louisville.

The Archdiocese invites its parishes and all the faithful to participate in the Year of St. Joseph.

Litany of St. Joseph – English and Spanish

Patris Corde Prayer – English and Spanish

A Message from the Archbishop:

See a video testimonial Archbishop Joseph Kurtz made for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops about his devotion to St. Joseph:

At home:

• Bless family meals using the St. Joseph table blessing
• Prepare one of several traditional St. Joseph’s Day recipes:
  • Cuccidati (Italian cookies)
  • Wood and Saw Cake
  • St. Joseph’s Spaghetti
  • Lentil Soup
  • Pan di San Giuseppe (bread)
• Create a St. Joseph altar in your home
• Make a pilgrimage to the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral (Bardstown), St. Joseph (Louisville) or to the Cathedral of the Assumption to honor St. Joseph and to learn more about the history of his patronage at these places.
• Pray the Novena to St. Joseph “for all who travel upon the path of adoption”
  • English
  • En Español
• Pray the St. Joseph Chaplet of Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys
• Pray the Novena to St. Joseph along with the USCCB on their Facebook page
  • English
  • En Español
• Observe Father’s Day with a special prayer of blessing
  • English
  • Spanish
• Pray a special rosary of St. Joseph

St. Joseph, Terror of Demons ©Cecilia Lawrence

At school or work:

• Formational videos
  • For adults
    • “Who St. Joseph Was and Why You Need to Know Him” (St. Paul Center)
    • “St. Joseph” (Catholic Online)
    • “Saint Joseph the Worker” (PETERSBOAT)
  • For older children
    • “Did You Know? St. Joseph” (St. Benedict Press)
    • “St. Joseph’s Feast Day” (TradKidsTV)
  • For young children
    • “Storytime with the Sisters: Joseph” (Daughters of St. Paul)
    • “Story of Saint Joseph” (Stories of Saints)
  • St. Joseph Activity Pack (Loyola Press)
  • Other Crafts & Activities
    • Coloring pages
    • Sleeping St. Joseph
    • St. Joseph Shrine
    • Holy Family diorama (En Français)
    • 3-D Printable St. Joseph Altar
    • St. Joseph Memory Match Cards
    • Trust Me, My Friend
    • Silence is Golden
  • Begin each workday with a prayer to St. Joseph for help in our work
    • English
    • En Español
  • Do a Corporal Work of Mercy. Some local opportunities are coming soon!

At the parish:

• When the liturgical day allows, celebrate the Votive Mass of Saint Joseph (Roman Missal Votive Mass #13) or the Mass for Various Needs #12 “For the Family.” This may be especially appropriate on the 19^th of each month or on Wednesdays, which the apostolic letter indicates is the day of the week traditionally devoted to St. Joseph.
• Pray the official prayer of the Year of St. Joseph “To You, O Blessed Joseph,” especially on Wednesdays or the 19^th of each month.
  • English
  • En Español
• Make available to the faithful the instructions for receiving the Plenary Indulgence for the Year of St. Joseph (English), Plenary Indulgence for the Year of St. Joseph (Spanish) which has been granted by the Holy See through December 8, 2021
• Participate in a 33-day consecration to St. Joseph, perhaps as a parish staff or in other small study groups. Two resources to guide this process are below:
  • Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father (Donald Calloway, MIC)
  • Consecration to Jesus Through Saint Joseph: An Integrated Look at the Holy Family (Dr. Gregory Bottaro & Jennifer Settle)
• Promote fatherhood, marriage, and family life through preaching and parish programs.