The Catholic Church in the Philippines is forming a national organization of men with the mission to spread the devotion to Saint Joseph in the country.
Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Manila, head of the Episcopal Commission on the Laity, said the group is among the legacies the Church wants to leave during the ongoing Year of St. Joseph.
“Part of that legacy is to form a group of men in all the parishes,” said Bishop Pabillo during an online media briefing on March 10.
He said the goal is to make the various groups “more national and more coordinated.”
Spearheading the establishment of the group is the Oblates of St. Joseph, a religious congregation dedicated to spreading the devotion.
“We are coming up with a common policy, activities, and guidelines to set up this group,” said the bishop.
“Hopefully, this group of men can carry on this devotion, especially the fathers in our families,” he added.
Pope Francis last year announced a Year of St. Joseph to mark the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church.
The observance began last December 8 and will conclude on December 8, 2021.
The country’s bishops assigned the Commission on the Laity to prepare the program of activities for the jubilee year.
One of the major activities is the consecration of the nation to St. Joseph on May 1, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, with the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Cebu as the center of the celebration.
On December 1, a consecration of families to St. Joseph will be held as the concluding event of the liturgical year.
