St. Joseph's Day

Well, the Feast Day may actually be over and done now, but I'm going to plead "octave" on this one, and, since I therefore have until next Friday to post something about the Feast of St. Joseph, I'm by no means late.

That said, I would like to take a very brief opportunity to say that, after a very wonderful novena preached by a Franciscan Friar from the Custody of the Holy Land (stationed in Washington, D.C.), the Solemnity of St. Joseph was celebrated with great solemnity (go figure) here at the seminary both at 10:30 in the morning with a Mass celebrated by the novena preacher and at 7:00 at night, celebrated by the auxiliary bishop of Scranton, the Most Rev. John Dougherty. Both Masses were splendid.

As you might imagine, the Feast of St. Joseph is a rather joyous occasion for the Oblate community, a day filled with wishes of "buona festa" ("happy feast-day"), laughing, singing, and so on, even if you don't happen to be of Italian descent. I can honestly say that, as has always been the case since my arrival at the seminary, St. Joseph was duly honored yesterday with those celebrations, and I pray to him that he may intercede for all of you! Happy Feast of St. Joseph! Buona Festa!