Pope Francis established that from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021, in order to perpetuate the entrusting of the entire Church to the powerful patronage of the Guardian of Jesus, «a special Year of Saint Joseph be celebrated, in which every faithful person, following his example, may daily strengthen their life of faith in the full fulfillment of God’s will».
By taking part in this jubilee year of Saint Joseph, the faithful may benefit from the Plenary Indulgence. Any baptized person in a state of grace may obtain the indulgence, unless excommunicated, and in order to gain it, three basic conditions must necessarily be fulfilled: receiving sacramental confession (if not in a state of grace), receiving Holy Communion (each time one wishes to gain the indulgence), and offering a prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father, all with the necessary detachment from any sin and with the desire to gain the indulgence.
After fulfilling these conditions, the plenary indulgence may be gained by performing one of these acts:
Meditating on Saint Joseph, «an authentic man of faith»
The Plenary Indulgence is granted to those who meditate «for at least 30 minutes on the prayer of the Our Father», or take part in a spiritual retreat of at least one day that includes a meditation on Saint Joseph». «Saint Joseph, an authentic man of faith, invites us - the Decree states - to rediscover our filial relationship with the Father, to renew our fidelity to prayer, to listen and respond with profound discernment to God’s will».
Performing a work of mercy
Those who perform «a corporal or spiritual work of mercy», following the example of Saint Joseph, may obtain the Indulgence. As «the custodian of God’s mystery», he «encourages us to rediscover the value of silence, prudence and loyalty in fulfilling our duties». The virtue of justice, practiced by Joseph, is «a law of mercy» and it is «the mercy of God that brings true justice to completion».
Praying the Holy Rosary in families and among engaged couples
Praying the Rosary as a family and among engaged couples is one way to obtain the gift of the Plenary Indulgence. Saint Joseph was the husband of Mary, the father of Jesus and the guardian of the family of Nazareth; his vocation blossomed there. Hence the invitation to Christian families to recreate «the same atmosphere of intimate communion, love and prayer that was lived in the Holy Family».
Entrusting one’s daily work to the protection of Saint Joseph
The Plenary Indulgence may be obtained by «anyone who entrusts their daily work to the protection of Saint Joseph, and by every faithful person who invokes in prayer the intercession of the Craftsman of Nazareth, so that those seeking work may find employment and everyone’s work may be more dignified». On May 1, 1955, Pius XII had established the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker «with the intention that everyone recognize the dignity of work, and that this inspire social life and laws founded on the fair distribution of rights and duties».
Praying certain prayers for the persecuted Church
The Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary grants the Indulgence «to the faithful who recite the Litany of Saint Joseph (according to the Latin tradition), or the Akathist hymn to Saint Joseph, in its entirety or at least part of it (according to the Byzantine tradition), or some other prayer to Saint Joseph proper to other liturgical traditions». These prayers should be offered «for the persecuted Church ad intra and ad extra and for the relief of all Christians who suffer every form of persecution», because, as the text states, «the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt shows us that God is where human beings are in danger, where they suffer, where they flee, where they experience rejection and abandonment».
Reciting other prayers or acts of devotion in honor of Saint Joseph
Other opportunities to obtain the Plenary Indulgence include «any legitimately approved prayer or act of devotion in honor of Saint Joseph», such as “To you, O Blessed Joseph”, especially «on the occasions of March 19 and May 1, on the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, on the Sunday of Saint Joseph (according to the Byzantine tradition), on the 19th of each month and every Wednesday, the day dedicated to the memory of the Saint according to the Latin tradition».
For those unable to leave their homes
Particular attention is given to those suffering in the current health emergency. The gift of the Plenary Indulgence «is especially extended to the elderly, the sick, the dying and all those who, for legitimate reasons, are unable to leave their homes. With their hearts detached from any sin and with the intention of fulfilling the three usual conditions as soon as possible, in their own homes or wherever the impediment keeps them, they should recite an act of devotion in honor of Saint Joseph, comforter of the sick and Patron of a good death, offering their sufferings and difficulties to God with trust».
The task of priests
The final exhortation is addressed to priests, so that «they may make themselves available and generous in celebrating the sacrament of Penance and frequently administer Holy Communion to the sick».
Saint Joseph, a “treasure” that the Church continues to discover
The decree recalls the universal nature of Joseph’s patronage over the Church, quoting the words of Saint Teresa of Avila, who considered him more capable than other saints of providing help in countless needs. «A renewed relevance for the Church of our time, in relation to the new Christian millennium» is what Saint John Paul II highlighted regarding Joseph.
«Everyone», Francis wrote in the letter Patris corde, «can find in Saint Joseph, the man who goes unnoticed, the man of daily, discreet and hidden presence, an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of difficulty. Saint Joseph reminds us that all those who appear hidden or in the background have unparalleled prominence in the history of salvation. To all of them we offer a word of recognition and gratitude».
