The newly installed St Joseph statue in front of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Karamunsing
By Douglas Naun
July 12 2022
ON Wednesday evening Jul 6, a Holy Mass in honour of St Joseph was celebrated by Archbishop John Wong, and concelebrated by parish priest Fr Paul Lo, Fr Thomas Madanan and Fr Saimon William at Sacred Heart Cathedral. The Mass was attended by about 150 parishioners,
After Mass, Archbishop Wong conducted a blessing ceremony of the newly installed statue of St Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church erected at the front of Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Fr Paul, in his address, thanked the Archbishop and everyone present for celebrating Mass and the blessing of the statue of St Joseph.
He said, “I believe this is what St Joseph wants.” Supporting his statement, he explained that the statue arrived actually on the Wednesday after the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
According to Church traditions, the Church has a devotion in honour of three hearts, namely, the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Saturday immediately after the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and on Wednesday after the two hearts of Jesus and Mary, is the Chaste Heart of Joseph.
The two hearts of Jesus and Mary have official celebration established for them, while the chaste heart of St Joseph, though a popular devotion, has yet to have any official celebration established.
In the tradition of the Church, the first Wednesday of the month is a day to honour St Joseph.
The rector further explained that this installing of the statue of St Joseph right in front of the Cathedral is also an inspiration resulting from the year of St Joseph last year.
He underlined that the statue of St Joseph right in front of the Cathedral would serve as a reminder that St Joseph is the Guardian who protects the Holy Family and the Church, as the patron saint of the Universal Church.
Fr Paul revealed that after this inauguration of the statue of St Joseph in our parish, the parish will have a devotion Mass for St Joseph to honour and to pray to him, every First Wednesday of the month, to ask him to help us to be true sons and daughters of the Holy Mother Church.
Archbishop John Wong recites the prayer of St Joseph for the blessing ceremony of St Joseph statue at Sacred Heart Cathedral Jul 6
