Philippine Catholic bishops have placed the nation under the special patronage of St. Joseph on May 1, his feast day.
Led by Archbishop Romulo Valles, president of the bishops’ conference, the national act of consecration was live-streamed from the San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City.
The consecration began with a rosary led by Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Midyphil Billones from the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City.
In addition to the thousands who viewed the live streaming, many cathedrals allowed for limited in-person attendance consistent with physical distancing and face mask requirements.
Masses were then held in different churches across the country to celebrate the feast of Jesus’ earthly dad.
Prior to the consecration, a 33-day spiritual preparation was set up in the country’s 86 dioceses.
In Cebu, Archbishop Jose Palma said the consecration to St. Joseph is also asking him to help us love the virtues that strengthen families, churches and communities.
“We find meaning in coming to St. Joseph. In believing that just as he was called by God to be the guardian of the Holy Family, we plead for his intercession to journey with us, to assist us in difficult times,” Palma said.
“We come to St. Joseph in this Act of Consecration. It is our way of saying, ‘St. Joseph, just as God has appointed you to care for the Holy Family, make us as well your family,’” he said.
To foster more devotion to the spouse of the Blessed Virgin, Pope Francis had declared a year dedicated to St. Joseph in December 2020.
The consecration of the nation to St. Joseph is one of the initiatives launched on the occasion of the special year, which culminates on December 8, 2021.
The celebration was also aimed to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Joseph as patron of the Universal Church by Pope Pius IX.
Vatican adds 7 invocations to Litany of St. Joseph
At the same time, the Vatican’s divine worship office announced the addition of seven new invocations to the Litany of St. Joseph.
The seven invocations, in Latin, are Custos Redemptoris, Serve Christi, Minister salutis, Fulcimen in difficultatibus, Patrone exsulum, Patrone afflictorum, and Patrone pauperum.
The new invocations of St. Joseph can be translated in English as Guardian of the Redeemer, Servant of Christ, Minister of Salvation, Support in Difficulties, Patron of Refugees, Patron of the Afflicted, and Patron of the Poor.
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments wrote a letter to the presidents of bishops’ conferences on May 1, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, explaining the inclusion of the new invocations.
“On the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, published the Apostolic Letter Patris corde, with the aim ‘to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal,’” the congregation said.
“In this light,” it added, “it appeared opportune to update the Litany in honor of Saint Joseph, approved by the Apostolic See in 1909, by integrating seven new invocations drawn from the interventions of the popes who have reflected on aspects of the figure of the Patron of the Universal Church.”
The additions to the Litany of St. Joseph were approved by Pope Francis.
The bishops’ conferences will be responsible for the translation and publication of the updated litany in their local languages, the divine worship congregation stated.
Bishops’ conferences can also, according to their own prudential judgement, introduce other invocations by which St. Joseph is honored in their countries.
A litany is a type of repetitive, petitionary prayer, often invoking the intercession of the saints or the Virgin Mary under different titles approved by the Church. CBCP News and Hannah Brockhaus/Catholic News Agency