UNIVERSITY OF SAINT JOSEPH CELEBRATES ITS PATRON

UNIVERSITY OF SAINT JOSEPH CELEBRATES ITS PATRON

The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) celebrated the Feast of its Patron Saint, Joseph, with a Mass presided by His Excellency Msgr. José Lai, bishop of Macau, on March 18, 2011 at the main auditorium of the University. Eight priests from the secular clergy and religious congregations, including five Dominicans, concelebrated the Eucharist. Seventeen Dominican students of St. Dominic’s Priory in Macau animated the Mass with lovely religious songs. The holy Eucharist was attended by about one hundred professors and students.

In his homily, bishop Lai underlined some significant points of the life of Saint Joseph, in particular, the holy saint as the faithful guardian of Jesus, the loyal husband of Mary, and the universal patron of the Church. The bishop added that “Saint Joseph is loved by the people of Macau, where we have also “the Seminary of Saint Joseph, the Catholic School of Saint Joseph, and many people are named St. Joseph.”  He closed his brief homily by calling the faithful to follow the saint’s example of humble holiness, good work and silent witnessing.

Before closing the Eucharist, Father Joao Eleuterio, coordinator of the School of Christian Studies of the University of Saint Joseph, thanked all the faithful present, in particular the kind bishop and the choir. He added another important point of the life of the Saint: Saint Joseph

helped Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Mary, grow up as a child and a young man. “May we all, particularly professors and members of the administration help our young students to grow up in maturity, knowledge and compassion.”

The simple Mass closed with a beautiful hymn of Saint Joseph, Holy Patron Thee Saluting:

“Happy Saint, in bliss adoring,

Jesus, Savior of mankind,

Hear thy children, thee imploring

May we thy protection find.”

The University of Saint Joseph is the Catholic University of Macau. (FGB)