Calling the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus a “righteous man” and “intercessor, support and guide,” Bishop Dennis Sullivan celebrated the Solemnity of Saint Joseph on the night of Friday, March 19, at Camden’s Saint Joseph Church.
The 6 p.m. liturgy drew COVID-capacity faithful, masked and socially-distant, and was livestreamed on various diocesan channels, providing those present and virtual an opportunity to take in the beauty of the historic church.
The gathering also acknowledged the roots of Saint Joseph Church as a home for area Polish Catholics, with readings and prayers in the Polish language.
Addressing faithful near and far, Bishop Sullivan noted that although the Bible references Saint Joseph, there are no quotes attributed to him. He is “a man of action, not words,” whose silence, “deep in the contemplation of the mystery of God,” guided, directed, and informed his actions as husband, father, and protector, the Camden prelate said.
In Joseph’s righteousness, “the quality of being in-tune with God … doing God’s will,” he “listened to God and acted upon what he heard.”
“May our love for him increase …may we imitate his virtue and zeal. And may this man of action encourage us to always act as followers of his adopted son, Jesus the Lord.”
The prayers and devotions to this patron of the universal church will continue through this Year of Saint Joseph, declared by Pope Francis to be celebrated until Dec. 8, feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Last month, Bishop Sullivan signed a decree designating Saint Joseph Church, on 1010 Liberty Street, as the diocesan pilgrimage site during this Year of Saint Joseph. The church is currently offering historical tours every second Saturday, along with a John Paul II Celebration of the Arts on Saturday, March 26, starting at 2 p.m; a healing Mass on Saturday, May 1, at 2 p.m.; and a celebration of fathers on Sunday, June 20, with a 10 a.m. Mass.
The feast day liturgy on May 19 concluded with Bishop Sullivan leading faithful in an Act of Consecration to Saint Joseph:
O dearest Saint Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed Saint Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
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