The local Bishop stated that “consecrating this church makes us think that God dwells among us, this holy house is the meeting stone on which God consoles us.
Colombia – Antioquia (24/11/2021 18:300, Gaudium Press) The parish church in the municipality of Venecia, belonging to the Colombian Diocese of Caldas has been elevated to the Shrine of the Patriarch St. Joseph. The act took place within the year dedicated to the Patron Saint of the Church.
According to the Bishop of Caldas, Bishop César Alcides Balbín Tamayo, this “is a wonderful gift that Pope Francis gives us” on the occasion of the Josephine year, which began on December 8, 2020 and will end on December 8 this year, 2021.
Consecration of the new Shrine
Together with the dedication of the church, the new Shrine dedicated to St Joseph received the first-class relics of the martyrs St Vincent, Deacon and St Eusebius of Vercelli. The consecration Mass was celebrated on 19 November and was attended by various civil and ecclesiastical authorities.
In his homily, the Bishop of Caldas emphasized that “the designation of the parish church as the Shrine of the Patriarch Saint Joseph and its consecration fills us with immense joy in this parish that throughout its 125 years has followed in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus, committing itself to proclaim the Gospel of salvation.
What does it mean to be a shrine?
Bishop Tamayo also stated that “to consecrate this church makes us think that God dwells among us, this holy house is the cornerstone where God consoles us. This reminds us that we all want to be saints and that we have the means to do so in order to live in communion with our brothers and sisters.
Finally, he stressed that “being a shrine implies a very high commitment before the Diocese of Caldas and the department (of Antioquia). We want to attract many people to the service of Our Lord Jesus Christ who serves the needy and the less fortunate, who goes out to encounter others. (EPC)
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