INTERCEDE AND GUARD US, WE PRAY

We are already three weeks into 2021, and yet our usual momentum and routine aren’t quite back to normal. Some of us may have expected the beginning of 2021 to be a fresh and spirit-filled start, but unfortunately it looks like there is going to be trying times ahead still, - at least for the first half of the year. The COVID-19 pandemic seems to be continuously bringing trials and hardships in our lives – physical, emotional, financial and even spiritual.

Currently, the wave of infections has rocketed nationwide, with an alarming 4-digit figures being reported daily! The Movement Control Order (MCO) has been implemented in every state in our country. We empathise with all the front-liners and their families, as they risk their lives to help those in need. The Minister of Health (MOH) is working hard to flatten the curve, and we know that all of them are very exhausted!

Despite all the efforts, the deadly virus is just spreading within our communities, and many are doubtful that the vaccine will be a solution to this global crisis. Almost everyone we know, seems to be putting their hands together, praying for God’s intervention to save the world from this pandemic. I always seek the intercession of my most favourite saints - Beloved Mother Mary and her most chaste spouse, St Joseph, to intercede and guard all of us and our families from this deadly infection.

The Holy Father, Pope Francis has declared Year 2021 as the Year of St Joseph - a celebration of the Patron Saint of the Universal Church. The world right now, is in dire need of his intercessions during this global crisis. When our Parish of St Joseph, Sentul was officially declared a Pilgrim Centre for this year, I drew up some plans for a few events for the next three months. However, looking at the current spike in the numbers of COVID-19 cases, I have a strong feeling that over the next 3 - 6 months we will still not be able to be physically present in Church for Masses and / or other activities. It would be highly unlikely that everything will be back to normal soon, and as such we need to deal with this reality as best we can.

After contemplating and reflecting on the current situation, I have now instead, plans for some spiritual exercises via live broadcast. Here they are:

a)    As a closing of the month of January 2021, we will pray the Evening Prayer (Vespers) and Litany to St Joseph for 30 minutes each day starting from 23 - 31 January 2021. We will conclude it with a Thanksgiving Mass on 31 January 2021 at 5pm.

b)   In February, we will be entering into the season of Lent starting with Ash Wednesday on 17 February 2021. We will broadcast live another spiritual exercise, commencing on the 1^st Sunday of Lent (21 February 2021).

c)  An online session on the Acts of Consecration to St Joseph for 33 days, which will commence on 15 February and end on the Solemnity of St Joseph, the Husband of Mary on 19 March 2021. I hope these 33-days of preparation will bring the spirituality of St Joseph into your lives.

d)   Before we begin Holy Week, we will have another session on the Virtues of St Joseph and his spirituality, reflecting mainly on the Apostolic Letter of the Holy Father, Pope Francis on “Patris Corde”(With the Father’s Heart).

As we journey in this Year of St Joseph, I hope and pray that the live broadcasts over the next three months gives you more insight and blessings upon you and your family.

St Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church - pray for us and for an end to this pandemic.