Novena to honour a saint

A novena in preparation for the feast day of St Joseph was an anointed and inspired experience for those who attended the St Joseph RC Church in the community of Mayo, part of the Tortuga Parish.

Every evening of the nine days (March 9 – 17) began with the praying of the rosary of St Joseph accompanied by traditional devotions, and concluded with Holy Mass.

St Joseph RC Church, Mayo was blessed with graces overflowing as varied ministries in the parish conducted the devotions. Tortuga parish priest Fr Jose Marie Thekkekutte MSFS must have had spiritual discernment to have invited his brother priests Frs Santhosh, Baskar, Shyju, Prabhudas and Anton to celebrate Holy Mass on respective evenings.

Homilies during Holy Mass were themed around St Joseph who was identified as the Son of David, a true servant of God and responsible head of the family. Man of faith, a caring husband, a carpenter, patron of workers and a righteous man were other attributes of St Joseph that were explored during the novena.

St Thomas Aquinas said of St Joseph, “Some saints are privileged to extend to us their patronage with particular efficacy in certain need, but not in others; but our holy patron St Joseph has the power to assist us in all cases, in every necessity, in every undertaking.”

Indeed the testimonies professed, especially over the days of the novena, were proof of this statement. These life-changing nine days ended with Holy Mass followed by the presentation of tokens of appreciation and a sharing of refreshments. – A parishioner