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August 2-8, 2021
"With A Father's Heart"
Reflections on St. Joseph By Pope Francis
About the Retreat
Our Busy Catholic's Online Retreat for adults, young adults, couples, families, friends and members of small faith-sharing groups is a seven day retreat experience which takes place in the midst of everyday life. Participants receive a daily prayer and reflection which they may use for prayer and quiet reflection in their home, work, or another environment of their choosing--even vacation, at whatever time of day is convenient for them.
The retreat is offered free and is open to the public.• • •
About the Theme
Pope Francis has declared 2021 the “Year of St. Joseph” and asked Catholics around the world to dedicate the year to remembering and honoring the husband of the Blessed Virgin and the foster father of Jesus.
In his Apostolic Letter, "With a Father's Heart," he pope said the goal of this special year is to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession, and to imitate his virtues and his zeal.
The Pope noted that over the years, Catholics have recognized St. Joseph in a variety of ways --as “Patron of the Catholic Church”, “Patron of Workers”, “Guardian of the Redeemer”, and “Patron of a Happy Death”.
The pope called St. Joseph “the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence;” each of us can discover in him an intercessor, a support, and a guide, especially in times of trouble. “Saint Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation.”• • •
In his Apostolic Letter, "With A Father's Heart," Pope Francis explained the significance of St. Joseph
this way:
"Now, one hundred and fifty years after his proclamation as Patron of the Catholic Church by Blessed
Pius IX, I would like to share some personal reflections on this extraordinary figure, so close to our
own human experience.... My desire to do so increased during these months of pandemic, when we
experienced, amid the crisis, how 'our lives are woven together and sustained by ordinary people,
people often overlooked.... How many people daily exercise patience and offer hope, taking care to
spread not panic, but shared responsibility. How many fathers, mothers, grandparents and teachers
are showing our children, in small everyday ways, how to accept and deal with a crisis by adjusting
their routines, looking ahead and encouraging the practice of prayer. How many are praying, making
sacrifices and interceding for the good of all.' Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes
unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of
trouble. Saint Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an
incomparable role in the history of salvation. A word of recognition and of gratitude is due to them all."• • •Daily Retreat Themes
Day 1 -- Joseph--A Beloved Father
Day 2 -- Joseph--A Tender and Loving Father
Day 3 -- Joseph--An Obedient Father
Day 4 -- Joseph--An Accepting Father
Day 5 -- Joseph--A Courageous Father
Day 6 -- Joseph--A Working Father
Day 7 -- Joseph--A Father in the Shadows
• • •About the Author
Pope Francis is
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Learn More about our Online Retreats here.
Register for this year's Summer Retreat
- By phone: call 319-233-0498
- By email: dbqwcaf@dbqarch.org
- Online: Click here to register online
[Last Update: 07.07.21]