On May 1, Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments through the approval of His Holiness Pope Francis introduced 7 new invocations to the litany in honor of St. Joseph.
According to Vatican News, a letter was sent by Archbishop Arthur Roche, Secretary of the Congregation and Father Corrado Maggioni, SMM, Undersecretary to the presidents of bishops’ conference around the world which explained the reason behind the initiative.
“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’,” according to the letter.
“In this light, it appeared opportune to update the Litany in honour 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 Vatican News added that the Congregation presented the new invocations to Pope Francis, who approved their integration into the Litany of Saint Joseph.
The 7 new invocations, originally in Latin, are as follows: Custos Redemptoris, Serve Christi, Minister salutis, Fulcimen in difficultatibus, Patrone exsulum, Patrone afflictorum, Patrone pauperum.
These could be translated as: Guardian of the Redeemer, Servant of Christ, Minister of salvation, Support in difficulties, Patron of exiles, Patron of the afflicted and Patron of the poor.
The Congregation also stated in the letter that, “It will be the responsibility of the Episcopal Conferences to see to the translation and publication of the Litany in the languages which are within their competency; these translations do not require the confirmation of the Apostolic See.”
The Congregation has also allowed the bishops conferences to add other invocations with which St. Joseph is honored in their countries.
“Such additions should be made in the proper place and preserve the literary genre of the Litany.”
On May 1, 2021, Archbishop of Davao and CBCP President Romulo Valles led the Act of Consecration to St. Joseph in Davao at 9:45 am, followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided over by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma at 10 am.
In the Archdiocese of Manila, Most Rev. Broderick S, Pabillo led the Holy Mass at San Jose Manggagawa Parish in Manuguit, Tondo, at 6 pm. (Jheng Prado/RCAM-AOC)
