Saturday, July 25, is the 100th anniversary of St. Joseph being made patron in the fight against socialism.
On this date in 1920, Pope Benedict XV issued the moto proprio “Bonum Sane” (“It was a good and healthy thing”) on what was then the 50th anniversary of St. Joseph being declared patron of the universal Church.
Known as the “Pope of Peace” during World War I, Pope Benedict XV takes note in “Bonum Sane” of the economic hardship and moral laxity after the Great War: “We now see, with true sorrow, that society is now much more depraved and corrupt than before, and that the so-called ‘social question’ has been aggravating to such an extent as to create the threat of irreparable ruin.”
Eyeing the rise of Leninism and Marxism, the pope warned the faithful against socialism and an atheistic form of world government – “the sworn enemy of Christian principles” – and encouraged working men instead to follow St. Joseph as their guide and special patron:
“The advent of a Universal Republic, which is longed for by all the worst elements of disorder, and confidently expected by them, is an idea which is now ripe for execution.
From this republic, based on the principles of absolute equality of men and community of possessions, would be banished all national distinctions, nor in it would the authority of the father over his children, or of the public power over the citizens, or of God over human society, be any longer acknowledged.
If these ideas are put into practice, there will inevitably follow a reign of unheard-of terror. ...
“We, therefore, concerned most of all by the course of these events … remind those on Our side, who earn their bread by their work, to save them from Socialism, the sworn enemy of Christian principles, that with great solicitude We recommend them in particular to St. Joseph, to follow him as their guide and to receive the special honor of his heavenly patronage.”
— Sources: The Vatican, www.catholictradition.org and Wikipedia
Celebrate the Year of St. Joseph
At www.yearofstjoseph.org: Find educational resources, prayers and devotions to help you and your family commemorate the “Year of St. Joseph” this year.