“The Year of Saint Joseph” has been given, by the Apostolic Penitentiary, a number of ways to obtain the plenary indulgence. The Year extends from December 8th, 2020 to December 8th, 2021. The Penitentiary, in the Decree, In the Year of Saint Joseph The Gift of Indulgences, states that the faithful have “the opportunity to commit themselves, with prayers and good works, to obtain with the help of St. Joseph…comfort and relief from the serious human and social tribulations that today afflict the contemporary world.” Not mentioned in the Decree above, the Consecration to Saint Joseph is an additional way to obtain the plenary. This is an exciting new devotion in the Church, which takes about one month to perform.
A plenary indulgence requires the Sacrament of Penance, reception of Holy Communion, prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father and detachment from sin. According to the Penitentiary’s General Remarks on Indulgences (most recent, from the Jubilee Year 2000), “it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act.”
After doing some initial research, I saw the need for a more concise listing of these indulgences. I have looked carefully at the text of the Decree and have compiled this simplified list to the best of my ability. I encourage you to read the text for yourself as well. Note, quotes below are taken from this Decree. Don’t forget the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker is coming up on May 1st-what a fabulous time to perform one of these wonderful devotions and bring a soul you love into the Abode of Eternal Joy!
1) Meditate for 30 minutes on “The Lord’s Prayer.” “Saint Joseph…invites us to rediscover our filial relationship with the Father, to renew our devotion to prayer, to dispose ourselves to listen and correspond with profound discernment to God’s will.”
2) Participate in a retreat for one day that includes meditation on Saint Joseph.
3) Perform one Corporal or Spiritual Work of Mercy. “The virtue of justice practiced by Saint Joseph…is full adherence to divine law, which is the law of mercy.”
4) Recite the Holy Rosary as a family or as an engaged couple. “The primary aspect of Saint Joseph’s vocation was that of being guardian of the Holy Family of Nazareth, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and legal father of Jesus.”
5) Daily entrust your work to the protection of Saint Joseph the Worker.
6) Recite a prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker for the intention of employment for the unemployed and for dignified work.
7) Recite the “Litany to Saint Joseph” for the intention of all persecuted Catholics.
8) Recite an approved prayer in honor of Saint Joseph, especially on his feast days, the 19th of each month and Wednesdays.
9) Perform the new devotion, “Consecration to Saint Joseph.”
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