In 1870, Pope Blessed Pius IX (reigned 1846-1878) declared St. Joseph, foster-father of Our Lord Jesus Christ and Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the Patron of the Universal Church.
2020 marked the 150th anniversary of the saintly Pontiff's decree. On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the saintly Pontiff's decree, 2021 is the Year of St. Joseph.
The Apostolic Penitentiary also issued a decree granting special indulgences "to perpetuate the entrustment of the whole Church to the powerful patronage of the Custodian of the Virgin."
During this period, the faithful will have the opportunity to commit themselves "with prayer and good works, to obtain, with the help of St. Joseph, head of the heavenly Family of Nazareth, comfort and relief from the serious human and social tribulations that besiege the contemporary world today."
Conditions for the plenary indulgence: granted to the faithful under the usual conditions: (sacramental confession, Holy Communion, prayer for the Pope's intentions) to Christians who, with a spirit detached from any sin, participate in the Year of St. Joseph. Meditate for at least 30 minutes on the Lord's Prayer, or take part in a spiritual retreat of at least one day that includes a meditation on St. Joseph. "St. Joseph, an authentic man of faith, invites us," the decree reads, "to rediscover our filial relationship with the Father, to renew our fidelity to prayer, to listen and correspond with profound discernment to God's will."
