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Just want to congratulate you and your team on the success of the Litany of St. Joseph last night. I was truly moved to tears and watched with wonder and joy as such at this beautiful devotion to St. Joseph. It was, of course, more than beautiful with the heavens opened to receive it for our beautiful protector! Thank you for your commitment to St. Joseph's Litany and also to St. Peter's.
Joan
President, St. Peter's CWL
On behalf of the St. Vincent Liem parish, I would like to extend our most tremendous appreciation and gratitude for allowing us to be part of a monumental event this Jubilee Year.
I would like to congratulate Sean from God Squad, Carlos, Mark, staff, volunteers, and all the organizers on a wonderful and successful event dedicated to St. Joseph through song and prayer.
Kim Do
St. Vincent Liem Parish
Last night was incredibly beautiful - bravo and bravo and bravo! I have some idea of the number of hours and prayers it would have taken to create the magical evening we experienced. Thank you for inviting us. A night to remember.
Molly
Attendee
Hats off to God Squad Canada, Carlos Foggin, all the singers, musicians, and volunteers that made the World Premier of the orchestral and choral Litany of Saint Joseph a powerful evening of witness, worship, and unity. Each choir was superb and unique in their choice of songs and expression. Carlos’ introduction of the Litany and his entreaty to put away our phones and prayerfully experience the music inspired us. The Litany blew us away. So many Catholics from across the diocese, united with our bishop and the Papal Nuncio to Canada in honoring Saint Joseph, was a huge witness to our city, our nation, the Universal Church, and the world and a tangible reminder that we are all pilgrims of hope.
Ian & Maria Doll
Attendee
You did a great job hosting the concert. You should be proud of all the work you put into it and the attention you have given to Saint Joseph. Well done!
Jeff Cavins
Attendee
It was really wonderful Sean. While the Litany was obviously the star, seeing the other choirs really meant something to me - the universal nature of the Church, in Calgary. Can’t imagine the work involved in putting this together. Well done.
Henry
Attendee
So glad we attended! It was beyond expectations. The whole evening was unbelievable. The choirs had me near tears and then during the Litany I had tears running down my cheeks. It was emotional and heartfelt! As mentioned we took three granddaughters with us (10. 12 and 13). They are all in choirs and they were blown away. I thought it might be too long for them, but they totally loved it. Thank you.
Maurice Byers
Sainte Famille Parish
The concert was so well done and it is so impressive to witness the talent in our city. Conductor Foggin is to be commended on his great musical score and choral composition. We left inspired and amazed; being reminded how beautiful music and performances elevate our souls and compel us to reach even higher in honour of our Creator.
Joanne Ronan
Sacred Arts Guild of Alberta
Quite spectacular, watched till the very end, could not turn it off! Our Lord clearly blessed your incredible efforts. Thank you, thank you for all the good you do in His name
Dave
You and God Squad have outdone yourselves, Sean. I’m proud of, and grateful for, YOU!
Fr. Cristino
The concert consisting of all choirs and the premiere of the Litany of St. Joseph was a very moving spiritual experience.
Hillary DeSouza
Sainte Famille Parish
Origins of the St Joseph Litany
The Litany of Saint Joseph has its origins in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with significant contributions from various popes. The Litany in honor of Saint Joseph was approved by the Apostolic See in 1909 [^3].
Key developments and figures in its origin include:
- Pope Pius IX: On December 8, 1870, Pope Pius IX solemnly and formally named Saint Joseph as "Patron of the Universal Church" and elevated the March 19 feast to a double first-class feast [^5]. This proclamation spurred greater devotion to Saint Joseph.
- Pope Leo XIII In 1889, Pope Leo XIII published the encyclical *Quamquam Pluries*, which is considered the most comprehensive document issued by a pope in honor of Saint Joseph up to that time [^5]. This encyclical highlighted Saint Joseph's role as a model for families and workers and also gave rise to the popular prayer, "To you, Blessed St. Joseph" [^5] [^4]. Pope Leo XIII had exhorted the Catholic world to pray for the protection of Saint Joseph, Patron of the whole Church, appealing to his "fatherly love...for the child Jesus" and commending to him "the beloved inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased by his blood" [^1].
- Pope Saint Pius X Saint Pope Pius X further enriched the devotion to Saint Joseph by accepting a treatise on his cult and multiplying the treasury of indulgences attached to the recitation of his Litany [^5]. He "exalts the illustrious putative father and patriarch St. Joseph, husband of the Pure Virgin Mother and powerful patron of the Catholic Church before God" [^5]. The Litany of Saint Joseph was approved by Saint Pope Pius X [^4].
- Pope Francis More recently, on the 150th anniversary of Saint Joseph's proclamation as Patron of the Universal Church, Pope Francis published the Apostolic Letter *Patris Corde* [^3]. In light of this, it was deemed opportune to update the Litany of Saint Joseph by integrating seven new invocations drawn from the reflections of various popes on the figure of the Patron of the Universal Church [^3]. These new invocations include titles such as "Custos Redemptoris" (Guardian of the Redeemer), "Serve Christi" (Servant of Christ), "Minister salutis" (Minister of salvation), "Fulcimen in difficultatibus" (Support in difficulties), and "Patrone exsulum, afflictorum, pauperum" (Patron of exiles, the afflicted, and the poor) [^3]. These additions were approved by Pope Francis, and Episcopal Conferences are responsible for their translation and publication, with the discretion to introduce other invocations honoring Saint Joseph in their respective countries [^3].
The Litany of Saint Joseph is frequently celebrated in the Liturgy, particularly in connection with the nativity and infancy of Christ, during Advent, Christmastide, on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph (March 19), and on his memorial (May 1) [^2]. Saint Joseph is also mentioned in the *Communicantes* of the Roman Canon and in the Litany of the Saints [^2]. His invocation is also suggested in the Commendation of the Dying [^2].
[^1] Letter to the Presidents of the Conferences of Bishops on some new invocations in the Litany in honour of Saint Joseph (1 May 2021)
[^2] Le voci che da tutti
[^3] Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: Principles and Guidelines 222
[^5] Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: Principles and Guidelines 221