FOR 195 years since 1810, the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, and abandoned children and elderly in Hospicio de San Jose have enjoyed the protection and providence of St. Joseph.
In thanksgiving, the hospicio held nine-day Novena Masses capped by a fiesta celebration yesterday.
Since 1994 when Msgr. Josefino Ramirez put up the Friends of St. Joseph Foundation, attendance in the Novena Masses grew. An altar was put up in front of the chapel with an image of St. Joseph adorned with flowers.
Different priests celebrated Novena Masses sharing their thoughts and personal experiences with the saint.
Priests who said Masses this year were: Fr. Serafin Peralta, CM; Fr. Genaro Diwa; Fr. Anselmo Manalastas, OSB; Fr. Rolando Agustin; Fr. Victor Robles; Msgr. Josefino Ramirez; Fr. Marcelo Manimtim; Fr. Sammy Loterte, SSS; Fr. Jose Cesar Marin, SJ; and Bishop Emeritus Raul Martirez, with Msgr. Arsenio Bautista as co-presider and Fr. Daniel Franklin Pelario, CM, homilist.
Yesterday, feast of St. Joseph, the pilgrim image was carried in a procession around the compound. A reunion of hospicio wards who have left, are now working and married was held in the morning. Hermana mayor this year was Teresa Chan.
