Hundreds joined us for the Solemn High Mass on the feast of Candlemas to close our Rosary Novena and for the blessing of the newly restored St. Joseph Altar.
The Very Rev. Joshua Caswell, SJC, blessed of the St. Joseph Altar with these words:
Lord, we humbly appeal to your sovereignty, asking that it pleases you to bless + and to hallow + this altar made ready by our lowly ministry to receive the offerings of your people. For on it we are to offer the holy Sacrifice to you, to the honor of the blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, and in particular to the honor of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church. Grant that by these sacred mysteries the bonds of our sins be loosed, our stains blotted out, pardon obtained and graces acquired, so that together with your holy elect we may merit the joys of everlasting life through Christ our Lord.
Almighty everlasting God, who does not forbid us to carve or paint likenesses of your saints, in order that whenever we look at them with our bodily eyes we may call to mind their holy lives, and resolve to follow in their footsteps. May it please you to bless + and to hallow + this painting which has been made in memory and honor of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Virgin Mary, Foster-Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and Patron of the Universal Church. And grant that all who in its presence pay devout homage to Saint Joseph may by his intercession and the merits of Our Lord Jesus Christ obtain your grace in this life and everlasting glory in the life to come; through Christ our Lord.
The Canons Regular invite all to visit and pray before the newly restored altar.