With a father’s heart is the short title of the Apostolic Letter of Pope Francis: Patris Corde

It is heartfelt sharing of the Holy Father’s personal reflections on St Joseph. Read the letter here.

The letter ends with a prayer to Joseph whom the Pope describes as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father, a creatively courageous father, a working father and a father in the shadows:

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.