Feast of Minor Seminary's Patron

From February 7th to February 9th the minor seminarians celebrated the triduum of their patron, Blessed José Sánchez Del Río.

A triduum is a traditional three day devotion that precedes an important feast or solemnity. Commonly, we only think of the Easter Triduum which begins on Holy Thursday and lasts until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. In our religious community it is a tradition as well to celebrate a triduum before the feast of our community’s patron. To celebrate the triduum the boys made two altars in honor of Blessed José Sánchez del Río: one altar they decorated in the chapel itself and another one they built in the dining room. As well, at the end the Holy Hour on each of the three days, Fr. Mariano Varela, Rector of the Minor Seminary, led the boys in reciting a litany of Blessed José, with the special intention of being faithful to their vocation. The triduum concluded after the Holy Hour on Wednesday, February 9th, marking the beginning of the festivities for the actual feast day celebration.

In celebration of the Feast of Blessed José Sánchez Del Río, on the eve of his feast day the minor seminarians and Fr. Mariano participated in an Eutrapelia Games organized by the bedels. The games consisted of five competitions including a ping-pong tournament, bingo, a quiz show, bubble gum blowing contest, and a creativity contest.

The next morning, the minor seminarians started the day with a Solemn Mass in honor of Blessed José, celebrated by Fr. Mariano in the seminary chapel. After Mass and breakfast the community then traveled to the Twin Cities to visit the Minneapolis Science Museum and afterwards the Nickelodeon Universe theme park. After a long day of fun the boys were surprised to return home to a special Mexican dinner prepared by generous parishioners from the Mexican community at Sts. Peter and Paul. After the dinner, the celebration concluded with the Solemn Vespers and Eucharistic Benediction.

We thank Our Heavenly Father for the many graces that He blessed us with during this time of festivity and we pray that through the intercession of Blessed José Sánchez Del Río, we will be given the grace to be faithful in our vocations and that God will call more young vocations to our community.