Having been urged to design a logo that is distinctive for the special year of St. Joseph proclaimed by Pope Francis (8 December 2020-2021), I would like to present this image born out of the exchange of views among an Oblate of St. Joseph, a young university student, an educator in the oratory, and a graphic designer.
The Aposotlic Letter, Patris corde, points out that “Joseph knew how to love with extraordinary freedom. He never made himself the centre of things. He did not think of himself, but focused instead on the lives of Mary and Jesus” (Patris corde, 7).
Indeed, “God trusted Joseph, as did Mary, who found in him someone who would not only save her life, but would always provide for her and her child” (Patris corde, 5).
The angel’s command, in good times or in dark times, is always the same for him: “take with you the Child and his mother” (Mt 2:13). In fact, this repeated command constitutes the synthesis of his mission and defines him as a man who knew how to “take with him” Jesus and Mary.
On the basis of these considerations, even graphically Joseph is presented united with Mary and Jesus, the two most precious treasures of whom he is the guardian. The initials of Joseph and Mary are joined together and form a house, almost tracing the features of the house that can be glimpsed in the background. At the center, in the heart of this house, there is Jesus, depicted in the bread. There are many references that bread allows us to make: Jesus Christ, the Eucharist, sharing, companionship (companionship derives from cum-panis, sharing bread). Jesus is the center of the Holy Family and the center of our fraternity. Five rays come to and from the bread, which ideally represent the presence of the Church in every corner of the earth (the five continents) to bring Christ, and which from every corner of the earth, all converge towards him.
Around the graphic elements is the exhortation, “Ite ad Joseph”, an encouragement to incarnate in our life the Christian mystery as lived by St. Joseph, to whom this year is dedicated.
Fr. Nico Reale, OSJ
