March 19th is one of the most anticipated days for our Home every year—it’s St. Joseph’s Day!
March is the month of St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus Christ. And St. Joseph has always held a special place in the hearts of the Little Sisters. St. Jeanne Jugan, our foundress, had a deep devotion to St. Joseph, and she instilled the same in her spiritual daughters. St. Joseph has protected and taken care of the Little Sisters and their Residents from the beginning of the Order. To this day, we continue to confide our needs and those of our Residents to him, seeing in him the likeness of our Heavenly Father, whose Providence watches over the little ones.
The festivities began with a beautiful Mass filled with both scripture and song in our chapel, led by Bishop Robert Lombardo, C.F.R and other priest friends invited to celebrate the special day. After Mass, our guests, Residents, and Little Sisters relocated to our auditorium. Prepared and decorated by the AJJ (Association Jeanne Jugan), the room glowed with twinkling lights and red table cloths, centerpieces, and hanging decorations bedecked every corner of the room. A large, equally stunning St. Joseph’s Day table was displayed at the back of the room, covered in flowers, delicious desserts, and artesian breads shaped into a cross and a shepherd’s staff. Truly, it was a sight to behold.
Our staff prepared quite the delectable meal that dazzled our guests’ taste buds: lamb, homemade pesto pasta, spaghetti, bacon-wrapped dates, squash with cashew cream, and fresh loaves of focaccia bread. Before everyone could dig in, Bishop Lombardo led us in prayer to thank our Lord for all the good he does in our lives, and especially for bringing us all together to celebrate such a special occasion.
We thank good St. Joseph every day for all he has done, and all he will continue to do to care for our little family at our Home.
