Indeed, we feel concerned with making Saint Joseph be known and loved, because he is so unrecognized, not to say unknown, while being so great to God's eyes, and because he should not be placed at the same level with other Saints.
When we speak of Saint Joseph, most of the time we imagine him with the Child Jesus on his arms or working with him in his humble workshop of Nazareth. It is true that Saint Joseph lived in the intimacy of Jesus and Mary. He shared in the intimate secrets of the life in Nazareth.
In Saint Joseph, we admire the righteous man from Holy Scripture, with his goodness, his meekness, his patience in trials and his tender affection for Jesus and Mary.
Adoptive father of Jesus, we like to consider him also as our own adoptive Father.
We put our trust in him because we know, for having experienced it, how much he watches over each one of us, over our Congregation and the persons we entrust to him.
And let us think also what must have been the death of Saint Joseph between Jesus and Mary. Blessed was he to fall asleep in the very arms of God!
We honor Saint Joseph every day, but more especially on the 19th of each month, and during the month of March, traditionally consecrated to him.
Hail Joseph, gratified with the divine grace, the Savior has taken rest in your arms and has grown before your eyes; blessed are you among all men, and blessed is the fruit of your Virginal Spouse, Jesus.
Holy Joseph, foster Father of the Son of God, pray for us, concerned about our family, health and work, and until our last day, and let us have recourse to you at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Mother Marie Faustina, snd +
Fraternite Notre Dame
502 N Central Avenue
Chicago, Il 60644 - USA -
Ph: 1.773.261.0101
Email:
Copyright FND August 2005
"Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins".
(Saint Matthew Ch. 1, v. 18-21)
"I do not remember to have ever asked him anything to this day that he did not grant me, and I cannot think without astonishment of the graces that God gave me through his intercession and the perils from which he delivered me, for the soul as well as for the body".
(Life of Saint Theresa of Avila
written by herself)
"One cannot doubt about it, this Joseph was a man of righteousness and fidelity, he to whom was bethroted the mother of the Savior. It is this loyal servant, I say, and prudent in the same time, he whom the Lord choose to support his mother, the feeder of his flesh, and to say it all, the unique and perfectly faithful cooperator in his great design on earth".
(Saint Bernard)