Today marks the joint celebration of the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker and International Workers' Day.
It is a chance to acknowledge the role of workers in our world and renew our commitment to ensuring there is dignity in work.
In 1955, Pope Pius XII also established the day as the Feast of St Joseph the Worker in order to reflect Joseph's status as a model for and patron of workers. The Church highlights, especially, Joseph's patience, persistence, courage, and hard work.
This year is also special as on December 8th 2020, Pope Francis issued a new Apostolic Letter entitled Patris corde (“With a Father’s Heart”). The Letter marks the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX’s declaration of St Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To celebrate the anniversary, Pope Francis has proclaimed a special “Year of St Joseph,” beginning on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 2020 and extending to the same feast in 2021.
"Let us implore Saint Joseph the Worker to help us find ways to express our firm conviction that no young person, no person at all, no family should be without work!" Pope Francis, Patris Corde.
As we honour St Joseph, let us ask his prayers for the world and for the Church. For those who cannot find work and those fearful about their own employment. We also ask that you keep workers in your prayers and continue your support of our mission to young workers in particular.
At the conclusion of his Letter, he adds another prayer to St Joseph, which he encourages all of us to pray together:
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
