Today, for the feast of St. Joseph, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary invited Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary, which shares a campus with them in south Denver, to participate in an annual observance that consisted of Mass followed by a eucharistic procession around the grounds, stopping at several points for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Both seminaries form priests to serve the Denver Archdiocese. St. John Vianney also forms priests to serve other dioceses, while Redemptoris Mater seminarians also receive missionary training and may be sent at the archbishop’s discretion to serve the Church anywhere in the world.
St. Joseph–the husband of Mary–is an important model for the future priests, said Deacon John Neal, vice president for St. John Vianney.
“St. Joseph is the ultimate father figure as protector, provider and guardian,” he said. “The priest represents that father figure to the people he ministers to.”
The procession ended with the seminary communities sharing brunch.