Iloilo, Philippines: Celebrating St. Joseph

The Feast of St. Joseph was celebrated here in the Archdiocese of Jaro on Monday, March 20. Our celebration here in our Formation house was  graced by the presence of the Archbishop of Jaro, Most Rev. Jose Romeo Lazo, a very good friend of Mill Hill. We were also blessed to have the Temporary Oath taking of one of our students, Symon Surmieda, who comes from Lapaz, Archdiocese of Jaro. Two of our MEP students, Munang Cyril Chiasem and Asongakie Derrick Akawung also renewed their Temporary Oath. The whole Liturgical celebration lasted about 2hours. The Fiesta of St. Joseph was attended by about 500 Christians especially the Friends of Mill Hill from the Parishes where Mill Hill Missionaries have worked here in the Philippines.

Before Mass, there was a solemn procession with the statue of St. Joseph from the main road to the Formation house gym where we had Mass. The Mass was animated by the choir of San Lorenzo Ruiz parish, Lapaz, Archdiocese of Jaro which is a former Mill Hill Parish. After Mass, there was entertainment, singing, dancing, picture taking and so on. The celebration was really a colourful one. We wish Symon, Cyril and Derrick God’s blessings in their Missionary journey.

Anthony Emeka MHM

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