“St. Joseph has been an important figure for my family, it was always a day to pray for my parents and family,” said Msgr. Gervasio, pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton. Msgr. Gervasio, who is also diocesan vicar general, blessed the St. Joseph Table that was set up in the lower church hall of Our Lady of Sorrows Church and was bedecked with a large statue of St. Joseph and platters of bread and sweet treats.

Photo Gallery: Mass, Blessing of St. Joseph Table in Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Hamilton

He recalled that his home parish, St. Joachim Parish, was founded in 1901 to serve the Italian immigrants arriving to the Chambersburg section of Trenton and that the parish always honored St. Joseph with a solemn Mass. Now years later, in his service as a priest and pastor, Msgr. Gervasio said that St. Joseph has taught him about the “importance of silence and contemplation as well as the fact that actions are more important than words.”

So, to carry on a tradition such as the blessing of a St. Joseph Table is important to continue because it serves as a reminder “that as St. Joseph provided for the Holy Family, we should provide for the poor and hungry of our world,” said Msgr. Gervasio.

“Such traditions also bring parishioners together for worship and fellowship. They help build community,” he said. “We also hope to convey to parishioners that the saints should have an important place in our spiritual life. Their lives inspire us and their prayers aid us.”

The Blessing of the St. Joseph Tables, similar to the one that took place in Our Lady of Sorrows Church after the 9 a.m. Mass, was among the various ways that the Solemnity of St. Joseph was prayerfully and joyfully commemorated in the Diocese of Trenton March 19.

In Mercer County, Father Carlo Calisin, parochial vicar of St. Paul Parish, Princeton, blessed and distributed loaves of bread to the parishioners who gathered for the early morning Mass. And in St. Raphael School, Hamilton, a picture of the statue of St. Joseph holding the Child Jesus was posted to the school’s Facebook page by a faculty member with a “Happy St. Joseph’s Day” greeting.

The feast day, in other parts of the Diocese, was marked during the morning Mass in St. Mary of the Lakes Church, Medford, where Sister Judy Cianfrogna, who serves on the parish staff, renewed her vows as member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill. In addition, several women also renewed their promises as St. Joseph Associates.

A post on St. Joan of Arc’s Facebook page expressed thanks to the Sisters of St. Joseph who currently serve and live in the convent in the Marlton parish and “the many who blessed our community with their faithful love and service since the founding of our parish and school.”

Retreat houses around the Diocese found ways to observe the feast with special programs.

In Francis House of Prayer, Allentown, where Sister of St. Joseph Marcy Springer is director, there was a daylong retreat, “St. Joseph, Model of Faith and Trust in God.” The retreat was based on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, “Patris Corde” (“With A Father’s Heart”).

The Religious Teachers Filippini, who staff St. Joseph by the Sea Retreat House in South Mantoloking, honored their patron saint by welcoming people for a Mass that was offered for the intentions of peace and healing in the world. Blessed bread was distributed and refreshments were served.

The Solemnity holds special significance for those parishes in the Diocese that are named after St. Joseph including: St. Joseph Parish, Toms River; St. Joseph Parish, Trenton, and St. Joseph Parish, Millstone Township. There is also Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Beverly, and Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Keyport, both of which have worship sites named St. Joseph.