By Sr. Natalie Sayde Salameh, MSCL
On Saturday, May 12, the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light participated in a day of recollection and prayer on St. Joseph presented and facilitated by the “Living The Fatima Message” Group at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River.
The Maronite Servants were asked to be exhibitors at this event, where we were able to meet many people and show case our charism. The day was absolutely beautiful, and included the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, adoration and confession; four different and inspiring workshops; the recitation of a living Rosary in a number of different languages, and concluded with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
The keynote speaker were Sr. Guadalupe and Sr. Faustina of the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth who spoke on the exemplary life and virtues of St. Joseph as depicted in Sacred Scripture. The sisters pointed out that while we do not hear St. Joseph utter a word, he is a man of great action, and his deeds speak much louder than his words. His deeds depict a deep love, respect, reverence and awe of his Spouse, the Blessed Virgin Mary and his Son, Jesus.
I personally attended two very informative workshops on the day. The first by Deacon Peter Cote of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fall River and Chaplain of Catholic Memorial Home. The Deacon gave an excellent snapshot and overview of St. John Paul II’s ‘Theology of the Body’. The second workshop of the day was offered by Fr. Thomas Kosik, Parochial Vicar of Santo Christo parish in Fall River. Fr. Kosik spoke beautifully on the parallels between the Patriarch Joseph of the Old Testament, and those of St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary in the New Testament.
One of the highlights and common threads of both workshops was the need to turn to St. Joseph as part of the Living the Fatima Message. Our Lady revealed to Sr. Lucia of Fatima that the last battleground between God and Satan would be the family, and we see this so vividly in our time with the high rates of divorce, abortion, and the attacks against the dignity and sanctity of married life. We have no better refuge than the bosom of St. Joseph, Patron of Family Life and the Universal Church.