Indulgences for the Year of Saint Joseph

“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.”

If you wish to help this ministry , please print and leave copies at your church or share with your church group. We do not ask for donations at this time, only prayer and sharing our work in whatever ways possible…let us know and you will be added to our prayer list…

Printable Version

Feast of Saint Joseph

Saint Joseph, Pray For Us!

“Saint Joseph Terror of Demons” by Bernadette Carstensen

From the outset of today’s Tridentine Mass, the praise of the Foster-Father of our Redeemer:

The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus: planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God…

Beloved of God and men, whose memory is in benediction. He made him like the Saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and showed him His glory. He sanctified him in his faith and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh. For He heard him and his voice, and brought him into a cloud. And He gave him commandment before His face, and a law of life and instruction.

“What the Year of St. Joseph Means and How to Gain the Indulgences”

The above article is from Denver Catholic, and lists the 6 ways to obtain the plenary indulgence in this “Year of Saint Joseph.” There are actually 7 ways, if you include the “Consecration to Saint Joseph,” which the article also discusses. Today is the perfect day to perform one of these (you will also be required to meet the usual conditions). Keep these devotions in mind for the remainder of this Month of Saint Joseph, and as a Lenten exercise. Also, keep them in mind on the May 1st Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. What a great family activity as well-it is these things which will make our children love the Holy Catholic Faith and want to hold on to it!

Bernadette Carstensen Illustration

Video Interview

When looking for images for my posts, I always look for something that jumps out among the rest. The image above did just that. I have never seen a depiction of Saint Joseph like this before…the stern expression and the raising of his arm, as if to exclaim, “Vade Retro Satana!”…protecting the innocent Child Jesus.

It is a copyrighted image, so I have just given you a snippet of this remarkable painting. To view the entirety, please see the link above. This image is also incorporated into a separate painting, which is on the same page. Needless to say, the artist, also known as Bernadette Carstensen-Cody, possesses a rare and exquisite talent. She is a young woman from San Francisco-please also view the 12-minute video interview with her, which features many of her other works. The above painting can be purchased at her site for a reasonable fee-what an awesome Fathers Day gift and addition to your home in this “Year of Saint Joseph!”

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Nomen Christi Apostolate Prayer to Saint Joseph*

O Saint Joseph

O Saint Joseph, Guardian of Our Lord and Our Lady, intercede for us before the Divine Majesty. O holy and humble carpenter, pray for God's children in all our great need. We pray this in the Name of the Christ Child, once held in your loving arms. Amen.

Saint Joseph Novena

Glorious St. Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, Foster-Father of Jesus Christ, obtain for me a pure, humble and charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the Divine Will. Be my guide, my father and my model through life, that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Loving St. Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death and the special grace I now implore: (mention your request). Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I am confident that your prayers on my behalf will be graciously heard before the Throne of God.

Our Father + Hail Mary + Glory Be

(Recite for 9 consecutive days)

* I wrote this prayer several years ago and posted it on this blog. I was going for the “Hail Mary” of Saint Joseph, something that could be easily memorized. The “Name of the Christ Child” is invoked, as this ministry has a special devotion to the Holy Name (Nomen Christi). Please feel free to share this prayer with others.