“Let us recognize our need of all the gifts of God that these holy oils signify.”
Confirmation at St James the Great, Hanslope, Bucks, on Gaudete Sunday, 15 December 2013
Dear Friends
This Calendar sets out how I shall be celebrating the coming liturgical year, day by day. I have been prompted to compile it because many of you have said during the pandemic that you valued the addition of a monthly calendar and daily Gospel references to the Pastoral Letters, and the sense it gives of being a daily praying community. This document (which when printed double-sided makes a small booklet to be kept with your Bible or Breviary) is intended, then, as a tool – first to help support your daily prayers, and hopefully to create a praying community alongside my prayer for you as bishop.
Marking the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph being declared patron of the universal church, in early December Pope Francis proclaimed a year-long celebration (from 8 Dec 2020 to 8 Dec 2021) dedicated to the foster father of Jesus. As a foundation, I invite you to use this prayer which Pope Francis has written, either daily, or at least each Wednesday, a traditional day of prayer with St Joseph.
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Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary: to you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; and with you Christ became man. |
Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.
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+ Jonathan
Christmas 2020
