On Friday March 19, 2021, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, patron saint of the Catholic Church, the Province of St. Joseph, Spouse of the BVM in Romania celebrated the 125th anniversary of its founding. The event took place at the headquarters of the Franciscan Theological Institute of Roman, Romania. The Province was founded on July 26, 1895, with a decree issued by the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith.
The jubilee celebrations began in the morning with an evocative event in which Friar Sebastian DIACU talked about the scholastic and formative activities of our friars. Starting in 1231 to the present day, with sacrifice and effort, the friars founded several philosophical-theological schools and seminaries, namely, Siret, Hălăcești, Săbăoani, Luizi Călugăra, and after 1990, the great seminary in Roman.
Mass followed, presided over by the Minister Provincial, Friar Damian-Gheorghe PATRAŞCU. Friar Damian thanked the entire Province, especially the friars from yesteryear, because on this day, we all have a moral obligation to remember them. The celebration was attended by many friars from the Province, various priests, seminarians and numerous lay faithful. At the beginning of the Mass, the Guardian of the friary in Roman, Friar Alexandru OLARU, greeted all those participating in the event.
In his homily, the Vicar Provincial, Friar Ionel-Emilian DUMEA, spoke about St. Joseph, the patron saint of our Province, presenting him as a shining example for all those present—lay faithful and consecrated persons alike. As in the Old Testament, when the pharaoh ordered the people to turn to Joseph during the time of famine, so today, we are invited to turn to St. Joseph during this time of pandemic, remembering the same words: Ite ad Ioseph! [Go to Joseph!].
At the end of the Mass, the oldest priest in the city of Roman conveyed the greetings of the Most Reverend Iosif PĂULEȚ, Bishop of the Diocese of Iasi, and stressed the good collaboration the friars have had with the bishop and his diocese.
Finally, the Minister Provincial thanked everyone who worked over the last 125 years, along with the friars who organized the feast and ran the jubilee so smoothly.
The event ended with lunch and an exchange of best wishes on the feast of St. Joseph, Spouse: Omnes ad maiorem Dei gloriam! [All for the Greater Glory of God!]
Friar Alexandru OLARU
