Pope Francis’ “hugely significant” declaration of 2021 as ‘The Year of St Joseph’ has been “warmly welcomed” by Fr Richard Gibbons of Knock Shrine.
Fr Gibbons said that the announcement is especially significant in the context of the pandemic.
Fr Gibbons said that St Joseph “invites us to place all our prayers and intercessions in her Our Lady’s care, as she intercedes for us with her Son”.
“In these unprecedented and challenging times, that message is as relevant to us today as it was in 1879,” he continued.
“As we face 2021 with hope, we look forward to welcoming pilgrims back to Knock Shrine for a wonderful year of celebrations as we come together to honour St Joseph, Patron of the Catholic Church, the quiet, supportive presence who appeared here at Knock. St Joseph, in his own quiet way, points each of us in the direction of our Blessed Mother.”