‘He was here to serve God’
BELMONT — Bishop Peter Jugis offered Mass May 1 on the grounds of the new St. Joseph College Seminary to commemorate the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. Due to restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the private Mass was livestreamed for public viewing.
This year has been dedicated as the Year of St. Joseph in the Diocese of Charlotte, and May also marks the expected completion date for the college seminary, located near Belmont Abbey College.
“The Lord certainly has given us a beautiful afternoon to offer this Mass on St. Joseph’s Day,” Bishop Jugis said during his homily. “A much larger, in-person celebration on the seminary grounds would have been nice, but we are grateful for everyone who is participating from remote locations.”
Biship Jugis pointed out the unusually quiet celebration that was organized for the feast day, especially as 2020 has been dedicated as the Year of St. Joseph.
“We have to ask the question: Why, precisely on the Year of St. Joseph – this year of all years – is this celebration in honor of St. Joseph so subdued?”
The May 1 Mass and a similar celebration for St. Joseph's feast day on March 19 had to be severely limited due to the pandemic, the bishop noted.
“Why are these two liturgical celebrations so small and restricted during this year that we’ve especially set aside to honor St. Joseph? Isn’t it ironic?
“We were ready to go all out to honor St. Joseph in a big way. Could it be that St. Joseph is wanting to tell us something about himself — his humility?” the bishop pondered. “Could it be that St. Joseph is wanting to tell us, “It’s not about me. It’s about Jesus and His mother. Honor them, please.”
“The humility of St. Joseph — one would have even thought that an optional memorial, as we are celebrating today, would be humble enough for St. Joseph. But no, even an optional memorial was too much. Even this celebration is more subdued, and small and restricted in attendance.”
He continued, “What a humbling and grace-filled experience St. Joseph had to be head of the Holy Family. God put him in charge of His only begotten Son and the immaculately conceived Blessed Virgin who brought the Son of God into the world. St. Joseph was given authority over two individuals who were greater than he was. And they, Jesus and our Blessed Mother, honored St. Joseph, loved St. Joseph, obeyed St. Joseph and submitted to his authority.
St. Joseph was humble and because he was humble, he was a good leader, Bishop Jugis said. And Jesus and the Blessed Mother followed his lead.
“He loved them, guarded them, protected them and provided for them. He put them first. Such is the humility of a true leader.”
The simple outdoor Mass was offered in front of the nearly completed St. Joseph College Seminary, located on 86 acres near Belmont Abbey College. During the liturgy, the small number of attendees – mostly the college seminarians and their priest formators – could hear the wind blowing through the trees and birds chirping.
Bishop Jugis looked around and noted, “In this beautiful pastoral setting, very conducive to prayer, study and progress in the interior life, we give thanks to Almighty God for the young men He is calling to begin their formation for the priesthood here.”
The college seminary's current enrollment is 26 young men, and growing. When it opens, the permanent seminary building will house up to 40 college seminarians.
Construction work on the $20 million project is expected to be substantially completed within a few weeks. The Gothic-styled building will include a chapel, classroom, library, conference rooms, a kitchen and refectory (cafeteria), faculty offices, and a guest room.
In his homily, Bishop Jugis also encouraged the people of the diocese to take part in the ongoing Year of St. Joseph and the plenary indulgence being offered for making a pilgrimage to the St. Joseph parish churches and chapels around the diocese. Learn more about the Year of St. Joseph and the pilgrimage.
And since this feast day honored St. Joseph the Worker, Bishop Jugis prayed especially for those who have worked to build the college seminary, as well as for all those whose jobs have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic:
“May St. Joseph, the model of workers, intercede for all workers who are unemployed, who are under-employed, who are idle during the pandemic crisis. And may he, gracious intercessor, present the needs of all workers to Almighty God, who is good and generous to all.”
Following other U.S. bishops as the nation continues to struggle in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Bishop Jugis also reconsecrated the diocese to Mary at the end of the May 1 Mass.
— Catholic News Herald. Photos by SueAnn Howell, Catholic News Herald
More online
At www.yearofstjoseph.org: Find educational resources, prayers and devotions, and “Year of St. Joseph” event details from across the diocese, as dates for special events are finalized.
At www.stjosephcollegeseminary.org: Learn more about the Diocese of Charlotte's new St. Joseph College Seminary.
Related story: Feast of St. Joseph the Worker coming up May 1
