Ash Wednesday

“Take St. Joseph as your model since he is your patron.”
(St. John Baptist de La Salle)

Next Wednesday, 19th March, we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph, the patron saint of our school.

Occasionally someone asks the question, “Why is our school named St. Joseph’s?” Others have asked, “What do the letters ‘SJI’ stand for?” I have even heard someone ask, “Who was St. Joseph?”

In 1852 when the De La Salle Brothers first came to Asia, they began teaching in Singapore at a school called St. John’s. But shortly thereafter they renamed the school, and today, if you have ever visited the Singapore Art Museum before its current renovations, you would have noticed that the statue of St. John Baptist de La Salle remains above its main entrance, along with the inscription “Saint Joseph’s Institution, Established in 1852”.

Why did those pioneer Brothers want the school to be named St. Joseph’s? One reason has to be that the Founder, John Baptist de La Salle, had such great devotion to him that he named St. Joseph as Patron and Protector of the Brothers and their schools.

In his writings, the Founder explains the importance he gives to the life of the carpenter from Nazareth, devoted husband of Mary, and guardian of the child Jesus. First, St. Joseph was a just man, holy in every way, and therefore fit to care for and guide the son of God. Second, he obeyed God’s will perfectly; he did not hesitate to do what God asked of him. Finally, he cared for the child Jesus and protected him from harm, even when they fled their homeland for another country.

De La Salle advised the early Brothers, “Take St. Joseph as your model since he is your patron. You have been made responsible for your students just as St. Joseph was made responsible by God for the Saviour of the world.” De La Salle’s message for teachers is that they should treat their students as St. Joseph treated Jesus!

What does it mean for us to claim St. Joseph as the namesake and patron of our school? What virtues in his life should we want to emulate? As we strive to be Caring and Courageous, we are following the example of St. Joseph. Similarly, we can look to his life as a witness of Commitment and Perseverance. St Joseph was Responsible and Trustworthy, two reasons why we continue to honour him today as the Patron Saint of our school.

Monday is St. Patrick’s Day, and the local celebrations, including the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, are scheduled for his weekend. May the luck of the Irish and the blessings of St. Patrick be enjoyed by all.

Mass for the Feast of St. Joseph will be celebrated in the school chapel next Wednesday morning at 7:40 am. All are invited to join us in honouring the patron of St. Joseph’s Institution International. Happy St. Joseph’s Day!