Posted March 3, 2021

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez conferred the sacrament of confirmation on the young people at St. Joseph Parish in Downingtown in two ceremonies, in the morning and afternoon, on Saturday, Feb. 27. One of the largest parishes in the Philadelphia Archdiocese with its more than 5,000 households and led by its pastor, Father Stephen Leva, St. Joseph’s is located at 332 Manor Avenue in Downingtown, Chester County. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Archbishop Nelson Pérez anoints a young woman with holy oil as he administers the sacrament of confirmation at St. Joseph Parish, Downingtown.

  • Father Alexander Pancoast, parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish, incenses the book of Gospels before proclaiming the reading.

  • The archbishop leads the celebration of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

  • Father Stephen Leva, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, distributes holy Communion alongside Archbishop Pérez.

  • The liturgical ministers bow to the cross in the narthex of the church at the conclusion of Mass.

  • St. Joseph’s parishioners say hello to Archbishop Pérez with a friendly fist bump.

  • Father Alessandro Giardini (left) accompanies a young man greeting the archbishop after Mass.