By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent

Very little may be known about St. Joseph, but the man who quietly stood by the Blessed Virgin Mary as her husband and served as Jesus’ earthly father plays an integral role in the salvation of all mankind.

“He did what the angel commanded,” Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., said during the Mass he celebrated in the chapel of Morris Hall, Lawrenceville, March 19, the day the universal Church commemorated the Solemnity of St. Joseph.

“Joseph took [Mary] and the child she bore into his care. That, in a sense, is why we celebrate this great feast day of St. Joseph,” said Bishop O’Connell. “He was so very close to the beginning of our salvation, Jesus Christ.”

As he has in past years, Bishop O’Connell joined the residents of Morris Hall, which includes St. Joseph Skilled Nursing Center, St. Mary Assisted Living and Morris Hall Meadows, to celebrate the feast of St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church and of workers. Joining Bishop O’Connell at the altar were a number of priest concelebrants including Father Angelo Amaral, chaplain at Morris Hall, Msgr. Michael Walsh, episcopal vicar of Mercer County, and priests who live in adjacent Villa Vianney, the diocesan residence for retired priests.  After the Mass, the Bishop and the residents lingered to exchange greetings, have pictures taken and sample foods from the specially prepared spread of hors d'oeuvres and desserts.

 “We are a family here,” said Angela Rivella of Incarnation-St. James Parish, Ewing, and Morris Hall volunteer. Her husband, Deacon Thomas Rivella, assisted at the Mass.

The theme of family also resonated with Father Amaral who said, “It’s important that we celebrate and present the spirituality of St. Joseph. He was the foster father of Jesus, so it is important that we pray for fathers and families.”

Bishop O’Connell, in his homily, reflected on how even though little is known about the life of St. Joseph, or “he never disappears from his role in caring for our Church. “He was always close to the Blessed Mother and close to the Lord, Jesus. We pray on his feast day through his intercession that we, too, may always remain faithful and close to the Lord.”

The spirit of the evening resonated with Joe Fazio, who attended the Mass for the first time with his wife, Lois.

“This is overwhelming,” he said, noting his Italian descent. “This really reminds of when I was a kid growing up.”