Mangalore Diocese News

St. Joseph - a man of silence and strength.

Media Release

Mangaluru, May 2, 2022 : In his apostolic letter, Entitled Patris corde (“With a Father's Heart”) Pope Francis addresses St. Joseph as a “beloved father, a loving father, an accepting father; a father who is courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows.”

Pope Pius XII established May 1 as feast day in 1955 to honor St. Joseph ,the worker and celebrate the Catholic Church’s commitment to the dignity of labor.

St. Joseph cared for Mary, his wife, and Jesus, his son, through his work as a carpenter. His example reminds all of us to participate in God’s continuing creation each and every day through our own labor.

The people of St Joseph Jeppu parish along with Fr Maxim D'Souza, the parish priest, started preparations for the feast day, a week in advance with the Eucharistic procession "Kompricho Aithar”. On May 1 ,the day dawned with the parishioners working hand in hand to prepare food for the feast. It was a joyous sight to see the old and the young beaming with excitement while cooking .

At 6 pm all roads led to St Joseph Church, Jeppu with the faithful flocking for the Eucharistic celebration which commenced with the blessing of the statue of 'Sleeping Joseph'.

The main celebrant of the mass , Fr Andrew Leo D'Souza along with con-celebrants led the congregation into a soul stirring Eucharistic celebration. In his homily he stressed on the three aspects of St Joseph's personality i.e, Silence, Humility and Obedience, which should be imbibed by all of us in order to live peacefully in our family, society and world at large.

The mass concluded with Fr Maxim D'Souza’s words of gratitude towards benefactors, donors and a final blessing. Dr Mrs Madonna Joseph was honoured for installing the statue of 'Sleeping Joseph'.

Fr William Barrocas, a priest from the Jeppu parish and a pillar of strength for the people was honoured for his services.

Also , Mr and Mrs Ligoury and Margaret Fernandes, a devout and generous couple, was honoured for their years of service to the parish.

After the mass, Fr Maxim D'Souza along with Mr Alwyn Miranda, the vice president of the parish council invited the faithful gathered for the feastal meal, which was prepared by the parishioners. All had a sumptuous dinner and went home giving thanks to Almighty for all the blessings.

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