Page 21 - Reflections on St. Joseph

Further, the Apostolic Exhortation Redemptoris Custos invites the Church to turn to the Saint of
Nazareth: “even, and above all, to sustain its renewed dedication to evangelization in the world, and to
re-evangelization in those countries and nations where religion and Christian life were once upon a time
flourishing, and now are put to harshly to the test. To bring the first announcing of Christ or to re-take
it where it has been neglected or forgotten.” (RC 29)

A year to remember

Coming to the end of the Year of St. Joseph, it is needful to first of all thank the Lord, as St. Paul
recommends: “Always be joyful, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus for you.” (1Thes 5, 16-18). It has been an event which has allowed us to rediscover and to
re-propose the figure of the Guardian of the Redeemer, our model and inspiration. (Const. 3)

While with this initiative we wanted to remember several anniversaries, yet as stated in the Letter of
Indiction, at the origin of the initiative was the conviction that calling attention to our holy Protector
could be a providential occasion to go to the roots of our spirituality and carry out a genuine renewal
and re-invigoration of the mission we are undertaking.

The appeal Ite ad Joseph, made more than a year ago, has been embraced very favorably by the Josephite
Marellian Family and by the faithful who come to our parishes and our works.

For all this, to all of you, goes the most heartfelt gratitude!

From the beginning of the Year, various celebrations were planned and events promoted that
showed our love and devotion to the Saint of silent activity. In this regard, there did not lack days of
study and gatherings to emphasize some of the themes linked to our Josephite spirituality: annual
retreats based on the theology of St. Joseph, meetings for prayer and reflection, pilgrimages and
appropriate liturgical celebrations. There were also initiatives on behalf of the poor.

If it is difficult to evaluate this past Year, and list all the manifestations that took place in the Provinces,
but among the more significant events celebrated we should remember the Centenary of the presence
of the Oblates of St. Joseph in Brazil. All of us were joined in the giving of thanks by the Province Nossa
Senhora do Rocio, remembering the witness of the confreres and the apostolic works there.

The International Symposium on St. Joseph and the 5th International Congress of the Josephite
Marellian Laity celebrated in Curitiba, followed by the publication of the Charter of Communion, has
reinforced the bonds of our charismatic family.

Further, the taking effect of our Constitutions and General Directory on the Feast of the Holy Spouses
clearly put together the close connection between St. Joseph and our vocation, which asks us to
reproduce in our lives and apostolates the ideal of service as lived by him (Cf. Const. 3). This requires a
profound personal love for Jesus Christ and for His Church, the accompaniment of youth, the capacity
to perceive the presence of God in history and a style of service marked by simplicity and fortitude before
the challenges of life.

Finally, looking to more recent plans, we were able to have the 3rd International Symposium with the
theme: St. Joseph Marello and the Spirituality of Communion through an online format.

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Reflections on st. joseph