Haledon (United States). On 19 August 2021, St. Joseph Province of the United States and Canada (SEC), on the 4th anniversary of its canonical erection, celebrated the Consecration to their Patron Saint.
When Pope Francis announced the start of a year dedicated to St. Joseph, on 8 December 2020, the FMA of the SEC Province took up the invitation to deepen their knowledge and devotion, expressed in Patris corde:
“The purpose of this Apostolic Letter is to increase love for this great saint, to be motivated to implore his intercession, and to imitate his virtues and fervor.”
With the encouragement of the Provincial, Sr. Joanne Holloman, an itinerary was drawn up with weekly reflections taken from the text “Consecration to St. Joseph: the wonders of our spiritual father” by Father Donald Calloway to prepare the sisters in 33 weeks to entrust themselves and to entrust the Province to his care.
On 19 August, the FMA communities met online to celebrate together the event of the Consecration to St. Joseph of the SEC Province. The moment of prayer, led by the FMA of the Provincial House of Haledon, New Jersey, began with a traditional French-Canadian hymn, “Amiable Saint”, followed by a video with a reflection on the Year of St. Joseph given by the Bishop of Tucson, Msgr. Edward Joseph Weisenburger. After the intercessory prayers to St. Joseph, there was the entrustment to the Patron Saint of the Institute, composed for the occasion. The celebratory moment ended with the Mornese prayer set to music, “San Giuseppe, mio prediletto”.
In the Goodnight, the Provincial encouraged the FMA to continue to place themselves under the protection of Saint Joseph:
“Continuing on the journey to bring Christ to young people, to spread the Salesian charism, and make our communities a Holy Family, the example, protection, and guidance of Saint Joseph will sustain us. We ask him to help us renew our commitment to live the Charity Challenge”.
