A New Year with St. Joseph A New Year with St. Joseph In December Pope Francis announced a “Year of St . Joseph” (Dec. 8, 2020-Dec. 8, 2021) to honor the Patron of the Church St Joseph with the Infant Jesus by Guido Reni By Catholic News Agency (CNA) Pope St. Joseph Francis announced on December a Year 8 of in honor of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation in 1870 as patron of the Universal Church. The year began December 8, 2020, and will conclude on December 8, 2021, according to a decree authorized by the Pope. The decree said that Francis had established a Year of St. Joseph so that “every member of the faithful, following his example, may strengthen their life of faith daily in the complete fulfillment of God’s will.”