Patris Corde
Patris Corde
On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis wrote a letter entitled Patris Corde. He explored the ways St. Joseph loved Jesus with a father’s heart.
Patris Corde
Patron of the Universal Church
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church by Blessed Pius IX. With this in mind, Pope Francis declared the Year of St. Joseph. On December 8, 2020, the Holy Father wrote an accompanying letter, Patris corde, in which he explored ways that Saint Joseph loved Jesus with a father’s heart. We can find inspiration in his life to imitate his virtues and his zeal.
Following are excerpts from his apostolic letter.
Turning to St. Joseph
Each of us can discover in him—the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet, and hidden presence—an intercessor, support, and a guide in times of trouble.
Trusting in God's Will
He teaches us that faith in God includes believing that he can work even through our fears, our frailties, and our weaknesses. He also teaches us that amid the tempests of life, we must never be afraid to let the Lord steer our course. At times, we want to be in complete control, yet God always sees the bigger picture. God always finds a way to save us, provided we show the same creative courage as the carpenter of Nazareth, who was able to turn a problem into a possibility by always trusting in divine providence.
Guardian of the Church
Jesus came into our world in a state of great vulnerability. He needed to be defended, protected, cared for, and raised by Joseph. God trusted him, as did Mary, who found in him someone who would not only save her life but would always provide for her and her child.
Gift of Self
Joseph knew how to love with extraordinary freedom. He never made himself the center of things but focused instead on the lives of Mary and Jesus. He found happiness, not in mere self-sacrifice, but in self-gift. In him, we never see frustration, but only trust.
The Year of St. Joseph
Pope Francis announced The Year of St. Joseph to mark the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, as declared by Pope Pius IX. It was from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021. Click to read more.
Patris Corde
Pope Francis wrote an apostolic letter Patris Corde on December 8, 2020. Translated, it means with a father’s heart. Pope Francis described Saint Joseph as a tender, loving father who was obedient to God’s will, and lived a quiet, humble life. He wrote the letter during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Click to read his letter.
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CREDITS
The LOGO image of Our Lady of Grace is original artwork by Martin Lariviere in 2009. We have the artist’s permission (my son). It is our exclusive trademark logo image.
A beautifully photographed sky by Donald Tong inspired the website’s colour scheme. Cropped portions of it are the background for the footer Bible verse. He shared it as a free download on pexels.com.
Raphael painted The Sistine Madonna circa (1513-1514). We made circular cut-outs from the original image.
The endearing image of St. Joseph consoling the Child Jesus (which we chose to accompany the official prayer for the Year of St. Joseph) is one of the works of art by Charles Bosseron Chambers circa the early 20th Century. He was popularly known as the Norman Rockwell of Catholic art.
Noel Nicholas Coypel painted a nativity scene circa the 17th Century.
We chose a painting of an angel instructing St. Joseph in a dream by Anton Raphael Mengs entitled “Traum des Hl. Joseph” circa 1773-1774.
Carlo Esteban Murillo painted all of the other St. Joseph images circa his lifetime.
Our information is from general knowledge, experience, and shared internet resources. We’d like you to use it as a starting point for your research to verify facts and build a reference list.
IN REVIEW
On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis wrote an apostolic letter entitled Patris Corde. He explored the ways St. Joseph loved Jesus with a father’s heart.