Year of Saint Joseph Celebration and Reflection

The Feast Day of Saint Joseph the father of Jesus is celebrated on the 19th of March every year as per the Catholic Liturgical Calendar.  Moreover, thanks to a declaration by his Holiness Pope Francis, that 2021 being the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as patron of the universal church by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1890, this year has been dedicated to Saint Joseph.

In light of this the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Cluny, Sisters of the Sacred Heart, the Leaders of the Religious Congregation, and the Saint Joseph Secondary School Alumnae, have organized a Celebration to reflect the life of Saint Joseph in line with Pope Francis Apostolic letter entitled Patris Corde (“With a Father’s Heart”) which depicts Saint Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sister Lusi Matai of the Sisters of Clunny orders the coordinator for the event says it is an ideal time to awaken and reaffirm the qualities of Saint Joseph to men, leaders, and fathers of our communities. She adds that during the event they will be emphasizing five major areas.

1. Deepening of RELATIONSHIPS within families, especially relationships between children and their fathers, husbands, and wives, parent and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and all kinds of relationships.
2. A deeper appreciation of the life-giving impact of great men (fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, political, church, traditional leaders) in our lives, in society, in the Church, and in the world.
3. Acknowledgment and affirmation of “men and fathers in the shadow’ like Saint Joseph.
4. Highlight the critical role of responsible, loving, caring and men in society, more so now when we are confronted with Climate Change, the negative impact of Covid-19, and the rise in abuse and domestic violence.
5. Acknowledge and affirm different men’s groups in parishes and beyond.

Sister Lusi and Father Thomas Lanyon

During the celebration entertainment will also be provided with a band playing during the night, there will also be presentations, songs, dances,s and drama based on the theme.

The organizers have called on people of all faiths and walks of life to attend the event as it will be a time to understand and appreciate  God’s fatherly Treasures and virtues through Saint Joseph.

The event will begin with a mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva at 5.00 pm celebrated by his grace Archbishop Peter Loy Chong. The rest of the program will be held at the Saint Joseph Secondary School Hall beginning at 6:15 pm.