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Letter 64). In his preaching to the Sisters of the Milliavacca Institute, he dwelt upon the
present day mission of the Guardian of the Redeemer: “who has no need of anything
for himself, but asks and receives for us, who are his heartfelt devotees.” (Sunday, April
22, 1888).

At 150 years since the proclamation of the Patronage, the Church, confronted with
numerous challenges at the present moment, continues to invoke its Protector with
the words of the prayer To you O Blessed Joseph, commonly said after reciting the
Rosary. Effectively, we ask that he protect us from errors and vices, and that he sustain
us in the battle with the powers of darkness and that he help us to overcome adversity.
Two years ago, Pope Francis, at the beginning of his message addressed to our Chapter
Delegates, shared this insight: “I like St. Joseph, he has so much ‘power’! For more
than 40 years I recite a prayer that I found in an old French missal which says about
St. Joseph: ‘dont la puissance sait rendre possibles les choses impossibles’ (his power
knows how to make impossible things, possible). The power of St. Joseph! He has
never said no. We need to take courage from this.” (August 30, 2018).

Further, the Apostolic Exhortation Redemptoris Custos invites the Church to turn
to the Saint of Nazareth: “even, and above all, to sustain its renewed dedication to
evangelization in the world, and to re-evangelization in those countries and nations
where religion and Christian life were once upon a time flourishing, and now are put
to harshly to the test. To bring the first announcing of Christ or to re-take it where it
has been neglected or forgotten.” (RC 29)

A Year to Remember
Coming to the end of the Year of St. Joseph, it is needful to first of all thank the Lord,
as St. Paul recommends: “Always be joyful, pray without ceasing, in everything give
thanks; this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1Thes 5, 16-18). It has been an
event which has allowed us to rediscover and to re-propose the figure of the Guardian
of the Redeemer, our model and inspiration. (Const. 3)

While with this initiative we wanted to remember several anniversaries, yet as stated
in the Letter of Indiction, at the origin of the initiative was the conviction that calling
attention to our holy Protector could be a providential occasion to go to the roots of
our spirituality and carry out a genuine renewal and re-invigoration of the mission we
are undertaking.

The appeal Ite ad Joseph, made more than a year ago, has been embraced very
favorably by the Josephite Marellian Family and by the faithful who come to our
parishes and our works.

For all this, to all of you, goes the most heartfelt gratitude!