THE FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE VIRGIN MARY
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On March 19, 2025, the Holy Family Major Seminary joined the entire Church in celebrating the feast of St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In a special way, on this day the Seminary holds its own celebration, honoring St. Joseph as the Foster Father of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph who is also the Patron Saint of this Seminary.
To mark this day,
two major events took place at the Seminary: HOLY MASS and later a COMMUNAL
CELEBRATION, which included art exhibitions.
Main Celebrant: Rev. Fr. Dr.
Philip Ntulama (Vice Rector)
Readings
- First Reading: 2 Samuel
7:4-5, 12-14, 16
- Second Reading: Romans
4:13, 16-18, 22
- Gospel: Matthew
1:16, 18-21, 24
In his homily, Fr. Ntulama reminded us of the special virtues of Saint Joseph: obedience, love for family, ability to keep secrets, respect for human dignity and honor, righteousness, devotion to God, and being law-abiding. He urged us to emulate these virtues in our own communities to foster love and unity. He especially emphasized learning to follow God’s guidance and will in our lives, just as it was in the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
PART 2: FINE ART EXHIBITIONS AND CELEBRATION
Rev. Fr. Dr.
Kireti invited us to this second part by reminding us that:
“Art is a fountain
of joy, it nourishes the soul, awakens the senses, and speaks the truths words
cannot say. In its presence, we remember who we are and what we dream to
become.”
With these words,
he welcomed everyone to view the artwork presented by second-year Philosophy
seminarians.
Some of the
showcased pieces included:
1.
A
poem describing the life of Saint Joseph: Guardian of the Holy Family.
2. A painting of Jesus holding a child – inspired by Luke 18:16.
3.
A
painting of an open tomb – the Good News of Jesus' Resurrection (John 20:1-10).
4.
A
painting of the Glorified Body of Jesus – based on Luke 24:36-40.
5.
A
basket of flowers – inspired by Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis.
6.
A
painting of Our Lady of Perpetual Help – the Virgin Mary holding Christ.
7.
Classical
music by Wolfgang Mozart.
8.
A
painting of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
9.
A
painting of the Cross, Heart, and Pelican – representing Jesus’ love for the
world (John 15:13).
10.
A
flower pot – inspired by Psalm 24:1-3.
11.
A
painting expressing the pain found in suffering.
12. A painting of a cut tree bleeding, wrapped in bandages, but still bearing fruit.
Generally, this year marked the inaugural Fine Art Exhibition in our seminary, an important milestone in promoting the creative talents of the seminarians. Through these art exhibitions, we learned the hidden truths embedded in artistic expressions. The exhibition provided a platform for artistic expression, allowing seminarians to reflect on themes of faith, vocation, and culture through paintings, sculptures, and other visual arts. It was a well-attended and inspirational event that not only celebrated art but also opened new avenues for holistic formation. The vibrant works on display highlighted the depth of thought and imagination that seminarians carry within, and the success of the exhibition has sparked hopes for it to become an annual tradition.
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