2021 Liturgical Calendar
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.
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.
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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
