St. Joseph Patron of the Church

Here is a link to a Facebook page that reflects on many of this week’s readings. St. Joseph, Terror of Demons, Patron of the Dying, Comfort of the Afflicted, Pillar of Families, protector of Virgins. The priest explains how St. Joseph demonstrated why he has been given these titles. He includes how we can ask for St. Joseph’s intercession as we meet our daily joys and sorrows.

Kelly Wahlquist brings insight, as a mother, wife, and nurse, into the virginal and chaste life modeled by St. Joseph. She reminds us of some of St. Joseph’s virtues: just, faithful, righteous, silent, chaste, obedient, and devotion to our Blessed Virgin, which are essential to the sacrament of Matrimony. Sharing some of her personal experiences she adds more to the Biblical understanding of how the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament was to be treated reverently, and why God choose Joseph to guard a similar reverence to Mary, the Ark of the New Covenant. I thought it would be helpful to view the video since this week’s readings were focused on the virtuous qualities of the Holy Family’s familial relationships. This can encourage all of us in our personal relationship with family and friends, and as we continue to grow in our understanding of St. Joseph as our spiritual father. Fr. Calloway includes more Catholic writings about the fourth wonder of St. Joseph on pp.125-138 of Consecration to St. Joseph. Authors include; St. Jerome, Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, St. Bonaventure, St. Peter Damian, St. Bede, St. Francis de Sales, St. Peter Julian Eymard, St. Stanislaus Papczynski, St. Augustine, St. Bernardine of Siena, St. John Henry Newman, and Blessed Bartolo Longo.

A summary of virtuous guidance that I thought helpful was from Fr. John Henry Hanson. “Are there more important facts to know about a man? The love of his heart, the work of his hands—that’s all we really need to know. You can tell a man’s character by the love of his life and the work of his hands. The woman he chooses to love and to marry and to stay with for life; the quality of his work, however humble and hidden it might be. That is what makes a man a man.”  “But what makes a man not only good, but a Saint, is how he responds to God. Nature drives a man to work and to marry. Grace moves him to make of marriage and work an offering acceptable to God.”—Fr. John Henry Hanson

Kelly also mentions two mystics, Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824) and Venerable Mary of Agreda (1602-1665) had visions about the lives of Mary and Joseph, and claim to have been present at the wedding of Mary and Joseph. Some details of their visions are noted in Wonder 4, Virginal Father of Jesu, in Fr. Calloway’s book, Consecration to St. Joseph, pp.125—127. If you are interested in reading more, here are some suggestions.

Venerable Mary of Agreda wrote, The Mystical City of God, a four-volume set, available through TAN Books. A popular abridgement, and less expensive version is also available through Amazon. Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich authored, The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary: From the Visions of Ven. Anne Catherine Emmerich, available from Amazon.

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Two mystics, Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824) and Venerable Mary of Agreda (1602-1665) had visions about the lives of Mary and Joseph, and claim to have been present at the wedding of Mary and Joseph. Some details of their visions are noted in Wonder 4, Virginal Father of Jesu, in Fr. Calloway’s book, Consecration to St. Joseph, pp.125—127. If you are interested in reading more, here are some suggestions.

To give life to someone is the greatest of all gifts, to save a life is the next. Who gave life to Jesus? It was Mary. Who saved his life? It was Joseph. Ask St. Paul, who persecuted him: Saint Peter, who denied him; ask all the saints who put him to death. But if we ask, who saved his life, be silent patriarchs, be silent prophets, be silent apostles, confessors, and martyrs. Let Saint Joseph speak, for this honor is his alone. He alone is the savior of his savior. Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

St. Joseph’s super hero qualities are hiddenness, silence, obedience, routine, and suffering. St. Joseph, most obedient, St. Joseph, most faithful, Joseph, lover of poverty, Joseph, model of the workman, Joseph, glory of domestic life, Joseph, savior of the Savior, pray for us. Amen

On page 157-158 of Fr. Calloway’s book, Consecration to St. Joseph notes how, during the 18th century, the Seven Sunday Devotions evolved from a 16th century devotion of the Seven Sorrows of St. Joseph. Fr. Calloway also lists the Biblical references to the sorrows and joys. The Seven Sundays to honor of St. Joseph are observed by receiving Holy Communion in his honor on seven consecutive Sundays, and on each Sunday the prayers in honor of the Seven Sorrows and the Seven Joys of St. Joseph are recited. This devotion may be practiced at any time of the year, but especially on the seven Sundays preceding his solemnity on March 19th. Read more from Year of St. Joseph here. The video below leads you through the Seven Sorrows & Joys of St. Joseph Chaplet. It is another beautiful way to honor St. Joseph.