Novena for the end of the Year of St Joseph (Parents)
Celebrating the Year of St Joseph
The year from 8th December 2020 to 8th December 2021 was proclaimed by Pope Francis, as the Year of St Joseph, recognising the special virtues of St Joseph that make him an inspirational Saint relevant today. It also marks the 150th anniversary of blessed Pope Pius IX’s declaration of St Joseph as the Patron of the Church.
As our final resource for schools in celebration of the Year of St Joseph, we have produced a novena* reflection designed to be used across 9 days (or 9 sessions), to be concluded on the 8th December 20201, which is also the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
*A novena is nine days of prayer usually asking God for a specific intention or cause. Novenas are a tradition dating back to the Early Church, when Jesus’ disciples spent nine days in prayer after Jesus’ ascension into heaven. At the end of the nine days, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, giving the disciples strength and courage to continue His work.
Start the time of prayer by making the Sign of the Cross.
Slide 1
Remind pupils of the purpose of the prayer time, and allow time for pause before starting the time of reflection.
Slide 2
Read the text on screen, which introduces the daily focus:
- St Joseph – open to God
- St Joseph – an ordinary man
- St Joseph – a husband
- St Joseph – homeless
- St Joseph – a refugee
- St Joseph – a foster father
- St Joseph – a worker
- St Joseph – a witness
- St Joseph – a Patron of the Church
Slide 3
Invite pupils to consider the qualities of St Joseph in different situations and relate to their own lives.
Slide 4
Finish each daily reflection with a prayer to St Joseph.
Finish the time of prayer by making the Sign of the Cross.
NB. There are two extra slides at the beginning, to introduce this novena for St Joseph.
NB. The final day’s reflection (designed for 8th December) also incorporates The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and contains three extra slides for this and to conclude the novena.
Appendix 1
If you wish, print enough double-sided A5 cards (Appendix 1) for each child. These show the images and prayer focuses throughout the novena, with Pope Francis’ prayer to St Joseph on the back. You might like to give these out to children to use as they go through the novena, or afterwards to reflect on and inspire them after the end of the Year of St Joseph.
Key Stage Variation
EYFS/KS1 teachers might want to further explain/discuss some of the stories mentioned.
KS2 teachers might like to pause to discuss some of the rhetorical questions/statements, particularly those on Slide 3 each day.
The Five Day Examen
Along with our partners, The Jesuits, we have created a simple but beautiful resource for use in the classroom called The Five-Day Examen. Based on the traditional Ignatian meditation, this resource has been specially adapted so it can be used by class teachers at the end of each school day in a simple way to create a prayerful and reflective atmosphere.
A Prayer for SATs Season
During May, KS1 and KS2 SATs take place. Particularly in KS2 where greater emphasis is placed on preparing for SATs throughout the school year, some pupils can tend towards anxiety and worry. This prayer resource can be used at any point throughout the year to help children prepare and pray for their SATs, with a focus remembering that Jesus is with us and gives us peace
Pray for Ukraine
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