Page 7 - Reflections on St. Joseph

OBLATI DI SAN GIUSEPPE
P. JAN PELCZARSKI, OSJ
SUPERIORE GENERALE

Letter of Inauguration of the Year of St. Joseph

To the Oblates of St. Joseph

Dear Confreres,

T rd
he XVIIth General Chapter, held in Rome from the 3 to the 3oth of August, 2018, had as its
theme: “He called them that they may remain with Him and to be sent forth to preach.” In a
climate of prayer and mutual sharing, the Chapter composed several Resolutions to promote
spiritual growth and pastoral zeal. In reference to Resolution 5a which deals with some anniversaries
in regard to St. Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, I would like to announce the celebration of a Year of
St. Joseph in our Congregation. It will officially begin next March 19, 2019, the Solemnity of St. Joseph,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and solemnly conclude the following year, March 19, 2020.

The circumstances which led to this initiative are to be found in the various dates of commemoration
that occur in the 2019-2020 period: the 30 anniversary of the Apostolic Exhortation Redemptoris
th
Custos (8/15/1989) by St. John Paul II, who was intending in his turn, to commemorate the centenary of
the promulgation of the Encyclical Quamquampluries of Leo XIII on devotion to St. Joseph and the 150
years since the Decree Quemadmodum Deus (12/8/1870) with which Bl. Pius IX proclaimed St. Joseph,
Patron of the Universal Church.

However, the true profound reason for this initiative rests in the conviction that the remembrance of
our holy Protector and Patron of the Universal Church, can be for us a providential occasion to go to the
roots of our spirituality in the light of the most recent teaching of the Magisterium of the Church. It will
also promote a deeper reflection upon the spiritual patrimony which the Guardian of the Redeemer has
left to the entire Christian community. Finally, it will also bring about a true renewal and reinvigoration
of the mission we are undertaking.

St. Joseph Marello was a contemporary of the ecclesial events we just mentioned. It is always useful to
re-read his letter to Rev. Giuseppe Riccio in which he speaks of the preparation for the proclamation of
the Patronage (Letter 64) and which defines St. Joseph as “that model of a poor and obscure life” upon
which he will build his spirituality and that of his religious family. In reference to this, Fr. Cortona
recalled in the conferences that the Founder gave to the first Oblates, that he: “reflected often on the
interior life of St. Joseph…who did not give himself entirely to exterior activities, but that he united his
action to the spirit of prayer.” (Cortona, BreviMemorie in StudiMarelliani, 1-2, 2012, p. 63-64).

The idea of a Year dedicated to the Guardian of the Redeemer will perhaps move someone to ask: is it
possible that a figure of such doubtless importance, but from a distant time, like St. Joseph, could inspire
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Reflections on st. joseph