“Youth leading youth to the heart of the Church ” 
St Joseph
St Joseph
Knock, co Mayo

Youth 2000 Ireland has been placed under the protection of St. Joseph, Patron of the Church, foster father of the Christ-Child and Husband of Mary. As he protected Christ, now truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, and Mary, Mother of the Church and thus of Youth 2000, we have claimed him as our protector and provider.

The vision of Knock is something of an icon of the three pillars of Youth 2000: Devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament (The Lamb on the altar), Devotion to Our Lady and St John the Evangelist (with the Scriptures in hand, he represents the magisterial teaching authority of the Church).

Then over to the side we have St Joseph doing what he does best:  keeping out of the limelight, he humbly acts as provider and protector.  St Joseph is silently at prayer, worshiping the Lamb of God.

 

Entrustment of Youth 2000 Ireland to the Protection and Provision of St Joseph made on Sunday 29th July 2007 at Knock Shrine, Co Mayo:

 

“Dear St. Joseph, we in Youth 2000 wish to imitate you by worshipping the Lamb of God truly present in the Blessed Sacrament and by so doing enter more deeply and profoundly into our Christian vocation as the beloved brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus.

 

At Knock you stood by Mary as you did in your earthly life and you now stand with her in the Court of Heaven.  We in Youth 2000 through our devotion to Mary - especially as we pray the Holy Rosary - ask her to lead us more deeply into the heart of her beloved Son.  Dear St. Joseph, as here in Knock you pray silently in adoration, you remind us in Youth 2000 Ireland that our offering to the New Evangelisation in Ireland is to teach our younger brothers and sisters to be in prayer with Mary before the Blessed Sacrament.

 

Dear St. Joseph here in Knock we recognise our vocation as Youth 2000 Ireland and thus we claim you as our protector and provider.

 

St. Joseph, Foster Father of Jesus… pray for us.
St. Joseph, Husband of Mary… pray for us.
St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church…pray for us.
St. Joseph, Protector and Provider of Youth 2000 Ireland…pray for us.”