The Catholic Church in the Philippines will entrust families to St. Joseph on December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said that consecrating the 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,” the CBCP said in a circular issued on November 8.
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, who by that time will be the CBCP president, will lead the praying of the rosary and the act of consecration at the San Roque Cathedral in Caloocan City.
All bishops of the country are expected to join the event online with the clergy, religious and families from their homes.
In a circular issued on November 8, the episcopal conference also suggested that a Eucharistic celebration be done after the national consecration.
The celebration will be livestreamed through the Facebook pages of CBCP News, Radio Veritas, TV Maria and other Catholic social-media platforms.
Diocesan or parish consecration could also be made especially for those that could not follow the national consecration.
The day will also be the closing of the “Year of St. Joseph,” which began on December 8, 2020, in honor of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church.
On May 1 this year, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, the bishops also consecrated the nation under the patronage of Jesus’ foster father.
‘Men of St. Joseph’ movement to be launched
At the same time, a movement of Catholic men formed to spread the devotion St. Joseph will be launched in all parishes across the country next month.
The CBCP gave its blessing to launch on December 8 the Men of St. Joseph-Philippines (MOSJ-P), an association of men “committed to Jesus and consecrated to St. Joseph.”
The institution of the lay association is the Philippine Church’s response to Pope Francis’ apostolic letter “Patris Corde,” encouraging the faithful to reflect upon the role of Jesus’ foster father “in caring and loving our Savior with the Father’s heart.”
Among its objectives include the promotion of the devotion to St. Joseph, the imitation of his virtues, and to provide opportunities, which foster growth in human character, holiness and Christian fatherhood in the family and in the community, following the qualities of St. Joseph.
The movement also seeks to sanctify work and promote the dignity of labor in society and to serve the needs of the Church and society through corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
The priests of the Oblates of St. Joseph will serve as the propagator and spiritual guide of the new association.
The Ad-hoc Committee on the Year of St. Joseph said the movement is open to all Catholic men “who are willing to learn and commit themselves to practice the virtues of St. Joseph.”
“Any man of at least 18 years of age, a Catholic who is willing to learn and commit himself to practice the virtues of St. Joseph, may become a member of the association,” it said.
The launching will also coincide with the National Consecration of Families to St. Joseph and the closing of the Year of St. Joseph. CBCP News
Image courtesy of Vatican News via CBCP News
