Virtual Summit, Sept. 30 – Oct. 3, Seeks to Increase Devotion to St. Joseph

A virtual summit dedicated to St. Joseph will feature more than 40 evangelists and aims to connect Catholics with their “spiritual father.” 

The summit “Our Spiritual Father: Pilgrimage to the Heart of Saint Joseph” will be hosted by Deacon Steve Greco, the president of Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry. Presenters at the summit include Fr. Donald Calloway – who compiled the “Consecration to St. Joseph‘” – along with Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Orange, Dr. Scott Hahn, and Chris Stefanick, host of EWTN’s “Real Life Catholic.”

“This is the largest gathering of Catholics for Catholics all related to Saint Joseph, our spiritual father, who has so much to offer us in this Year of Saint Joseph,” said Greco in a press release announcing the event. 

Click here to read more.

Bishop Gregory Parkes Consecrated our Diocese to St. Joseph on May 1

Bishop Gregory Parkes consecrated parishes, schools, ministries and the people of the Diocese of St. Petersburg to St. Joseph during a 30-minute prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, in St. Petersburg on Saturday, May 1st, the Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker. St. Joseph is the patron and protector of the Catholic Church and the patron saint of fathers. (View the livestream of the prayer service here.)

“When you consecrate yourself to St. Joseph, you entrust yourself to his fatherly care, and you ask him to help you live the holy virtues that strengthen families, churches and communities,” said Bishop Parkes.

To learn about Plenary Indulgences for the Year of St. Joseph, read the bishop’s letter here.

Year of St. Joseph – December 8, 2020-December 8, 2021

It has been 150 years since Blessed Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph as Patron of the Catholic Church so that all could better appreciate this humble carpenter and his central role in the history of salvation. Now, Pope Francis is asking all of us to observe this important anniversary with the Year of St. Joseph. He invites all Catholics to imitate the example of St. Joseph, an ordinary man who fulfilled his purpose through obedience, love and trust in God. 

To launch the Year of St. Joseph, Pope Francis has written an apostolic letter, Patris Corde, (With A Father’s Heart) to highlight the virtues of St. Joseph that we are called to emulate. In the 14-page document, Pope Francis lists seven qualities of St. Joseph that distinguish his fatherhood. The pages of the letter reference Scripture and Vatican documents and present a more complete picture of our Church’s understanding of St. Joseph in the life of Jesus and his role today in the life of the Church and in our lives. We can all benefit from the prayers of St. Joseph, who can obtain for us miracles and graces as he intercedes for us before God.

Bishop Parkes speaks about the Year of St. Joseph:

Below are links and resources to help you observe the Year of St. Joseph. May this revered saint be a support and guide for our lives as we seek to unite and protect our families and our Church.

From Pope Francis

• Apostolic Letter: With a Father’s Heart: English | Spanish

From Bishop Parkes

• Letter: Indulgences During the Year of St. Joseph: English | Spanish

Prayers

Prayer to St. Joseph for Year of St. Joseph

Hail, Guardian of the 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.

• Prayer to St. Joseph for an End to the Pandemic
• Prayer to St. Joseph for Protection of Families and the Church
• Litany of St. Joseph
• Prayer to St. Joseph for Employment
• Prayer to St. Joseph for Workers
• Spanish Prayers

Local Churches Dedicated to St. Joseph

• St. Joseph Parish, Tampa
• St. Joseph Parish, St. Petersburg
• St. Joseph Parish, Zephyrhills

Local Hospitals Dedicated to St. Joseph

• St. Joseph Hospital, Tampa
• St. Joseph Hospital, Lutz

Patronage

St. Joseph is the Patron of a Happy Death and Patron of Workers. Also, Pope Francis considers St. Joseph to be the patron of all those forced to leave their native lands because of war, hatred, persecution and poverty. He is the father of orphans and protector of widows.

Traditions for Celebrating St. Joseph’s Day (March 19)

• Altars and Food
• Welcome Home St. Joseph: While many of us are learning more about this incredible saint during the Year of St. Joseph, some parishioners in Tampa are also inviting him into their homes. Click here to read more.

Special Devotions to St. Joseph

• Book: Consecration to St. Joseph, The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father
• Article: Teens from Largo are preparing for consecration to St. Joseph. But just as St. Joseph was part of the Holy Family, this consecration is also focused on the family, with parents and children reading, praying, and discussing together. Click here to read more.

General Resources

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Resources for Children

• Adapted Faith Formation Activities about St. Joseph – These faith formation lessons were produced by the NCPD Council on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
• St. Joseph coloring pages and activities from Pflaum