Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

It was a double celebrations for the Congregation of St. Joseph (Josephite of St. Leonard Murialdo) as it celebrated the existence of the Congregation for 153 years (1873-2026) and also the feast of its Patron saint, Saint Joseph, on Thursday 19th March, 2026.

The Congregation that was founded in Turin, Italy in 1873 and got its Diocesan and Papal approval in 1875 and 1897 respectively has spread to many countries such as Libya, Brazil, Benin Republic and also Nigeria, in 2014 amongst others; has its focus on educating the poor and the abandoned.

At Murialdo Formation House in Ogbere, Ibadan, the celebration was in two phases; the Holy Mass, presided over by the Community Bursar, Rev. Fr. Esau Enger, CSJ with Rev. Frs: Vitalis Ikechukwu, CSJ; Arnaud Aniou, CSJ; Innocent Ndubeze, CSJ and Stephen Balogun, the parish priest of St. Anne Catholic church, Ogbere, concelebrating. Also in attendance were the Seminarians, Lay Collaborators and Parishioners of St Anne, Ogbere. This was later followed by the second part focusing on more information about the Congregation and merriment.

The homilist, Fr Arnaud Aniou, CSJ observed in his reflection that the Congregation’s Patron Saint’ Feast day often falls in the middle of the Lent, thereby breaking the Lenten mood and even the colour of the celebration from purple to white.

The priest highlighted some of the characteristics of St. Joseph, which include: obedience, trust in God, fear of God, being a quite man, tender father, protector of the weak, courageous and accepting father, humble man, hardworking and loving father, hence, the Josephite’s priests and brothers are admonished to emulate such characteristics wherever they are.

At the second part, Fr. Aniou also welcomed all to the celebration followed by more history of the Congregation as presented by Bro A. Joseph, CSJ.

All present to celebrate with the Congregation were also entertained with delicious meal, drinks and dancing, as members of the Congregation; priests and seminarians entertaining their guests in different dancing steps to express their joy at the celebration. It was indeed an event to behold.

The Congregation at the end expressed its appreciation to all for sharing in their joy and prayed that St. Joseph continues to intercede for all.