St Joseph’s Feast Celebrated at Padre Pio Retreat Centre

St Joseph celebration at Padre Pio retreat centre

By Bokang Tsoanamatsie – The Padre Pio Retreat Centre in Rietvalleirand, Archdiocese of Pretoria, welcomed attendees from various dioceses of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference on March 22 for the ongoing celebration of the Feast of St Joseph, particularly for those who were unable to observe it on March 19 due to work obligations.

Many parishes have established a tradition of celebrating this sacred feast alternately within their communities. This event first resumed in 2022 at Our Lady Assumed to Heaven in Sasolburg, under the leadership of Parish Priest Fr Sylvester Ponje.

The tradition surrounding this celebration includes a consecration to St Joseph, with participants receiving certificates of consecration after completing a 33-day preparation period. These certificates are validated by the priest overseeing the consecration. Additionally, a St Joseph table is blessed by the priest prior to the Holy Mass, where attendees can place food intended for communal sharing after the service or donations for the less fortunate. A cake, decorated with an image of St Joseph, is also prepared for the occasion.

The parishes represented at this event included Our Lady Assumed to Heaven in Sasolburg, Uganda Martyrs parish in Zamdela, Kroonstad Diocese, Holy Trinity parish and St Agnes parish in Olievenhoutbosch, Archdiocese of Pretoria, Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Christ the King Cathedral in Witbank Diocese. The primary objective of this gathering is to promote devotion to St Joseph among all the faithful.