Dear friend,

You have someone watching over you …

… and a foster father to protect you.  You and I have a heavenly protector in Jesus’ foster father, Saint Joseph.

Since we were children we’ve heard the Gospel stories of Saint Joseph’s wondrous role in the birth of our Lord.

We know Joseph presented Jesus in the Temple and was astonished at the prophets’ words there.  We know Joseph protected Mary and Jesus and made a home for them in Egypt and then Nazareth.

The bond between a boy and his father is a very special one.  After Mary, Joseph must certainly have been the closest person to Jesus in his youth.

It was from Joseph that Jesus learned the rich traditions of the Jewish faith, apprenticed as a carpenter, and grew to understand the world around him.

It was Joseph who took the young Jesus up to Jerusalem to the house of His Father.  And then searched for Him with Mary.

I’m sure the death of Joseph must have broken Jesus’ heart.  But the life-lessons and faith-lessons Jesus learned from His foster father provided an unshakable foundation for His years of preaching and healing ahead.

The lessons learned in our youth stay with us throughout our lives, for better or for worse.  That is why your generous and faithful support of Saint Lawrence Seminary reminds me so clearly of the nurturing and care of Saint Joseph.

Although these young men may not be your own sons, you can see the young Jesus in them.  And in seeing Jesus, you generously join with the Capuchin friars to nurture our Catholic faith in them and provide them a firm foundation of knowledge, prayer and wisdom.

The gifts you give them during their years at Saint Lawrence Seminary will remain with them forever as they go forth to serve God’s people, the Church, as priests, religious and lay ministers.

Please continue to join with the Capuchin friars in praying to Saint Joseph, the Patron Saint of vocations.  May Saint Joseph continue to draw our seminarians into the love of Jesus.

Through your prayers and generosity, you are watching over our seminarians in a very special way.  Thank you for your vital role in their vocations.

May the Lord bless and keep you,

Father John Holly, OFM Capuchin
Rector