McDonnell

McDonnell

<p>Spencer</p>

Spencer

<p>Lopez</p>

Lopez

LAFLIN — The Oblates of St. Joseph (OSJ) will, once again, host the annual Feast of the Holy Spouses at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in their seminary chapel, Route 315, Laflin.

Principal celebrant and homilist will be Fr. Gustavo Lopez, OSJ of Bakersfield, California, concelebrated by Fr. Matthew Spencer, OSJ, USA provincial superior, as well as local Oblate priests.

“This Feast Day celebration, just after the Christmas season, allows us to continue the joy of loving and serving God in our daily lives, in our particular vocations, especially the vocation of marriage,” said Fr. Paul McDonnell, OSJ rector. “The annual feast, approved by the Vatican in 1989 for the Oblate Congregation to celebrate publicly, honors the spousal roles of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, parents of Jesus.”

The Roman Church calendar once celebrated the Feast of the Espousals of Mary and Joseph, but this was removed in the post-Vatican II era of liturgical renewal and only permitted for particular liturgical calendars.

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By decree of the Congregation for Divine Worship on May 18, 1989, the OSJ obtained permission to celebrate each year on Jan. 23 the Feast of the Holy Spouses.

A social will immediately follow the Mass hosted by the Josephite-Marellian Laity Association.

Fr. McDonnell cordially invites everyone to attend the celebration and would like to notify Catholics attending the Holy Spouses Mass fulfills the Sunday obligation.

For information, call the seminary office at 570-654-7542 or email osjseminary@comcast.net.