In the Year of St. Joseph 2021
On the 8th of December 2020, Pope Francis declared that 2021 would be a special Year of St. Joseph. Although descended from the royal house of David, Joseph was an ordinary manual labourer. Scripture tells little of his story except that he was husband of Mary and Foster-Father of Jesus. Nonetheless, his modest presence as part of the Holy Family is constant. Tradition holds that Joseph died sometime before Jesus began his public ministry. Announcing the Year of St. Joseph, Pope Francis said: “Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble. St. Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. A word of recognition and of gratitude is due to them all”. (Patris Corde, 2021)