Page 61 - Reflections on St. Joseph

SAINT

JOSEPH

Protector of the

Universal Church

150 years since the decree of “Quemadmodum Deus”

Fr. Sebastian Jacobi, OSJ

n December 8th, 2020, the Church will remember the 150th anniversary of the Decree
“Quemadmodum Deus” of Pius IX, with which St. Joseph was proclaimed Patron of the
Universal Church. During Vatican Council I, on March 9, 1870, a petition was
presented to Pope Pius IX by 38 Cardinals, 153 Bishops and 43 Superiors General asking that St.
Joseph be proclaimed Patron of the Universal Church. This proclamation, which could not take
place during the Council due to its being interrupted by a well-known political upheaval, was
later made by Pius IX on December 8, 1870.

For us, Oblates of St. Joseph, this decree has a particular significance. Our Founder, St. Joseph
Marello, was in Rome during Vatican Council I, as the secretary to Bishop Carlo Savio. On March

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Reflections on st. joseph