Page 22 - Reflections on St. Joseph

The mission continues: Ite cum Joseph

It is important to consider the Year of St. Joseph not as an episode nor as a self-contained event, but
rather as a step towards reawakening our love for our great Patriarch. Let it not be, that once we
celebrate the closing Mass, we turn the page, put everything away and declare that we have done enough.
Our Founder gave us a precise and constant mission: “to live like St. Joseph “in an intimate relationship
with the Divine Word” (Letter 37), learning from him “to care for the interests of Jesus” (Letter 83) in the
Church. Further, with him we are called to realize “those things which from day to day Divine
Providence points out to us to do” (Rule of 1892), “open to the signs of the times, with special attention
to the various forms of poverty, whether of persons or the places of greatest need” (Const. 4).

As a reminder, in this Year we have dedicated to the Patron of the Universal Church, an e-book has been
prepared which collects all the reflections of the monthly retreats. By taking up and rereading these
texts, we can find inspiration for our journey.

In the post covid-19 world, in carrying out our mission, we welcome with confidence the exhortation of
our Father Founder. These in fact, were the last words addressed to his sons: “Be all of good heart under
the paternal mantle of St. Joseph, a place of securest refuge amidst tribulations and distresses” (Letter 321).
May he “support us in every step and lead us where Divine Providence wants us to arrive” because with
him “we are sure that all will go well”.

Rome, December 8, 2020
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

With fraternal greetings,

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