Circular No. 21-50
8 November 2021
Your Eminences, Excellencies and Reverend Administrators:
RE: National Consecration of Families to St. Joseph on December 8
On December 8, we will be closing the “Year of Saint Joseph” coinciding with the celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
With the year-long celebration of the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron Saint of the Universal Church, we were all invited to undertake the interior path of the carpenter of Nazareth, so as to “increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal. ”(Pope Francis, Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde)
The Ad-hoc Committee on the Year of Saint Joseph has prepared several activities to fittingly culminate this whole-year celebration. First, is the National Consecration of Families to Saint Joseph and second, the Launching of the Men of St. Joseph – Philippines in all parishes throughout the country.
Consecrating ourselves and our families to St. Joseph is an act of entrustment to his fatherly care, protection, and guidance. The goal of this consecration is to imitate St. Joseph’s virtue, example, and closeness with Christ. As Fr. Donald Calloway, writes, “We need the spiritual fatherhood of St. Joseph to help us protect marriage and the family. Marriage and the family have always been under attack, but in modern times, the threats have reached extraordinary heights… To combat and overcome Satan’s deceptions, the Church needs St. Joseph.” (Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father, 4)
Thus, on December 8, at 11:00 a.m., His Excellency Most Rev. Pablo Virgilio S. David, Bishop of Kalookan and who by that time will be the CBCP President together with some representatives of families in his diocese will lead the praying of the Holy Rosary and the Act of Consecration of Families to St. Joseph at the Cathedral of San Roque in the Diocese of Kalookan. The celebration shall be broadcasted via CBCP News, Dominus Est, Radio Veritas, TV Maria Philippines and cross-posted in various Catholic Social Media platforms all over the country.
All the archbishops and bishops of the country are kindly requested to participate in this event together with the clergy, religious, and families at their homes. It is suggested that a celebration of the Holy Eucharist be done after the National Consecration. Diocesan and/or Parish Consecration could also be made especially for those that could not follow the National Consecration.
All Parish churches are also hereby requested to launch the Men of St. Joseph- a Catholic Association of Men committed to Jesus Christ and consecrated to St. Joseph. The institution of this lay association is the Philippine Church’s response to the call of Pope Francis as contained in his Apostolic Letter – Patris Corde, encouraging us to reflect upon the role of St. Joseph in caring and loving our Savior with the Father’s heart.The priests of the Oblates of St. Joseph humbly accepted the honor of being the propagator and spiritual guide of this association.
For further guidance and information regarding this celebration, you may contact Mr. Joseph S. Jesalva of LAIKO at telephone number 8527-5388 and email address laiko_phils@yahoo.com.ph
Thank you very much for your kind attention, and we are hoping for your participation in this activity.
With sentiments of esteem and cordial greetings, I remain
