Written by David Ahimbisibwe, Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
On October 25, 2021, Fr. Joshua’s first address to the whole seminary was seasoned with the phrase “Deus Providebit.” Certainly, this phrase which was Abraham’s response in Genesis 22 echoes and re-echoes daily within the Seminary. The phrase that means “God will provide” and seminary life at Notre Dame Seminary are almost synonymous. Listening to this phrase over and over again during his talk not only helped us to envision Fr. Joshua as a part of the concrete life of the seminary, but his address was also a clear expression of his own faith in the guidance of the Holy Spirit who is the principle director of all good work. Fr. Joshua is a humble instrument in God’s hands who will enable us to become priests with the heart Christ and the mind of the Church. He knows that, “Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build” (Psalm 127:1)
In his first homily to the whole community, Fr. Joshua exhorted us that the seminary is the rightful place and time in which a seminarian should reveal his entire self rather than conceal certain things in the dark. By bringing everything into the light, the seminarian allows the Church to know who he is. Fr. Joshua promised to further facilitate an environment in which we are all encouraged to reveal than to conceal. Truly, our new rector has priestly formation at his heart, more so as his second nature.
From our encounter, we are grateful to the providence of God who in his infinite wisdom has given us Fr. Joshua to be our new rector. We are indeed proud and excited for the many gifts he has to bring to us; there is no better person that God could have given us at such a time.
