IN G
HIHB-BAY DEVOTION
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REFLECTING
ON
SAINT JOSEPH
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REFLECTING
on
SAINT JOSEPH
A Nine-Day Devotion
Sister Emily Joseph, C. S. J.
Saint Anthony Guild Press, Paterson, New Jersey
COPYRIGHT, 1959 , BY
SAINT ANTHONY’S GUILD
Nihil ohstat:
« Bede Babo, O. S. B.,
Imprimatur:
*f- James A, McNulty,
Bishop
December 12, 1958
1961 printing
Censor.
Paterson.
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Contents
Pagi
Introduction
Vll
First Day
‘’Blessed are the poor in spirit.. . .
1
Second Day
“Blessed are the meek....
8
Third Day
“Blessed are they who mourn. . . .
14
Fourth Day
“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice. ...” 21
Fifth Day
“Blessed are the merciful....” . 27
Sixth Day
“Blessed are the clean of heart....”. 34
Seventh Day
“Blessed are the peacemakers....” . 40
Eighth Day
“Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice’
sake....” . 48
Ninth Day
“Happy the man who fears the Lord. ...”. 54
v
INTRODUCTION
More than three centuries ago a saintly French priest,
Louis Lallemant, S. J., designed for himself and his spir¬
itual children a special form of devotion to Saint Joseph.
Into it he wove the elements of meditation, self-discipline,
and concentration upon the great mysteries of the Faith
associated with the Incarnation of the Word of God.
Two features of this devotion are remarkable: its sim¬
plicity, and its profundity. Any child can practice it in
its simplest form, and make spiritual progress; the most
learned theologian will be attracted to the devotion as
a perfect opportunity for growth in spiritual stature.
The form of this devotion can be easily outlined: four
times a day one makes an imaginary visit to Saint Joseph.
This visit can be made any place at all — at home, on a
bus, while walking to work or waiting for an appoint¬
ment. During the first visit, one recalls Saint Josephs
fidelity to grace, thanks God for the sublime correspond¬
ence with grace which Saint Joseph always practiced, asks
help to imitate his fidelity, and mentions the specific favor
being sought through his intercession. The pattern for
the other three visits is the same, with attention directed,
in the second visit, to Saint Joseph’s fidelity to the interior
life; in the third, to his devotion to Our Lady; and in the
fourth, to his devotion to the Divine Child.
Within the past few years, thousands of Saint Joseph’s
clients have been honoring him by the practice of this de¬
votion. Favors of both a material and a spiritual nature
have been so numerous that it seems Saint Joseph has
merely to present a request to his Divine foster Son and
it is granted. This should cause no one surprise. As the
Christ of Nazareth offered prompt obedience to His foster
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REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
father throughout the years of His hidden life, so now
in heaven He listens to each request of Saint Joseph as if
it were a command. Everyone is familiar with the con¬
fidence which Saint Teresa of Avila placed in Saint Jo¬
seph. She could boast that she had never asked him for
anything which she did not receive.
We can readily understand the degree of Saint Joseph’s
intercessory power when we reflect on the teaching of
Saint Thomas Aquinas that the intercession of the saints
is proportioned to their degree of glory in heaven, or to
their union with God. Excepting only God’s masterpiece
of grace, our Blessed Lady, Saint Joseph was placed by
Divine Providence in a position closer to the Incarnate
Word than any other saint. By one pope after another
his heavenly glory has been proclaimed and extolled.
Confidently, then, may his clients expect from him prompt
and powerful intercession on their behalf.
No specific prayers are required for this devotion. It
is hoped that the reflections which are here presented may
serve to stimulate further contemplation of the virtues of
this beloved saint, who exemplifies so inspiringly the ideal
described by Christ in His Sermon on the Mount. May
God grant to all who reflect upon Saint Joseph the grace
to reflect him in their thoughts, their words, their entire
conduct of life, so that, in union with him, they may
enjoy union with his Divine foster Son for all eternity.
FIRST DAY
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven” (Matt. 5:3).
I. Fidelity to Grace
TN THE Sermon on the Mount, Christ stated, as the
A first of the Beatitudes, "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven/’ Although we do
not know whether Saint Joseph lived long enough to
hear Christ’s preaching, it is clear that the Holy Spirit
filled his heart with an understanding of the blessedness
that results from being poor in spirit. To find content¬
ment in his lot as the village carpenter of Nazareth, to
accept the humiliations of Bethlehem and see in them
God’s holy will, to accept the rich gifts of the Magi and
to use them solely for the interests of his foster Son —
such were the lessons that Saint Joseph learned well.
Grace enlightened Joseph’s mind and he came to
know that, in itself, poverty is indifferent; that is, it is
neither good nor bad. It can lead to sin when a wrong¬
ful desire for the goods one does not have impels one
to cheat, to lie, to steal, or even to kill. Saint Joseph,
on the other hand, came to realize that wealth, luxury,
and preoccupation with the comforts of this life can
weigh down the spirit of man, keep him engrossed in
the affairs of earth, and prevent his growth in grace and
union with God. Saint Joseph recognized poverty as a
potential spiritual good, a condition which can speed man
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2
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
on his way to his final end. By his fidelity to grace he
acquired a steadily increasing conviction of the value of
such poverty, which Christ made one of the counsels of
perfection in His Church.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, ever faithful to the inspirations of
grace, obtain for me a proper appreciation of the spirit
of poverty. Guide me in my efforts to acquire this spirit
and teach me to invoke the Holy Spirit for enlightenment
regarding the practice of that poverty which is so directly
opposed to the spirit of the world. Help me in all things
to surrender myself to all that your Divine foster Son de¬
sires of me.
Concluding Prayer
(To be used at the end of the first meditation each day:)
Almighty Father, from whom all graces come: I praise
and bless and thank Thee for Saint Joseph’s fidelity to
grace. Grant that, through his loving intercession, I, too,
may be faithful to grace. O my powerful patron Saint
Joseph, obtain for me the favor I now ask.
Note on Prayers
(As explained on page VIII of the Introduction, no specific
prayers are required for this devotion. Let us repeat that the
prayers as worded here are merely a suggestion. It will often
be more beneficial to the person following this devotion if
he composes his own prayers, using the sentiments that spring
from his heart as a result of his meditation upon the life of
Saint Joseph.)
FIRST DAY
3
II. Fidelity to the Interior Life
"The kingdom of God is within you!” It follows, then,
that if you are faithful to this kingdom of the interior
life, you are truly rich.
In this sense, Saint Joseph was a rich man. Yet his
lot in life left him free from the possessions which add
an element of distraction to those who would advance in
perfection. Saint Joseph’s skill as a carpenter probably
netted him but a meager income. By his fidelity to the
interior life, Saint Joseph gained increasing awareness of
the treasures of grace with which God was adorning his
soul. God revealed to him the hierarchy of values wherein
each thing, a good in itself, serves as a steppingstone to
a higher good as one mounts the path of sanctity to the
Summum Bonum, God. Within his own heart reigned
peace with God and all his fellow men. There he en¬
joyed a foretaste of that beatitude of which Saint Paul
was speaking when he said: "Eye has not seen nor ear
heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what
things God has prepared for those who love Him”
(1 Cor. 2:9; cf. Isa. 64:4).
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, help me to search my heart that
I may detect my secret attachment to creature comforts.
Pray for me that I may have the clear spiritual vision nec¬
essary to distinguish between true supernatural riches and
the world’s tinsel. May I learn to put first things first;
to follow the admonition of our Lord and "seek first the
kingdom of God and His justice” (Matt. 6:33).
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REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
Concluding Prayer
(To be used at the end of the second meditation
each day:)
Almighty Father, from whom all graces come: I praise
and bless and thank Thee for Saint Joseph’s fidelity to
the interior life. Grant that, through his loving inter¬
cession, I, too, may be faithful to the interior life. O my
powerful patron Saint Joseph, obtain for me the favor
I now ask.
Ill . Devotion to Our Lady
Certain non-material possessions — for example, love
and companionship — are often more precious to us than
worldly goods. Somewhere along the road of life, God
graciously provides us with a friend whose understand¬
ing heart, kindred interests, ready sympathy, and encour¬
aging advice prove beyond question the truth of the
Scriptural proverb: "A brother is a better defense than
a strong city” (Prov. 18:19).
Imagine the joy of Saint Joseph during the days fol¬
lowing his espousals with the beautiful daughter of
Joachim and Anne! With what tenderness he pledged
to her his undying loyalty; with what earnestness he of¬
fered her his support and protection. It was Saint Jo¬
seph’s privilege to be chosen by God to enjoy the intimacy
of home life with Mary, the Immaculate Mother of
Christ, whom we honor as "Cause of our joy.”
But, to be poor in spirit one must be ready to re¬
linquish, when God’s will demands it, not only worldly
goods but also non-material possessions. In this, Saint
Joseph quietly sets the example. Before the day on which
FIRST DAY
5
he was to take Mary to his home as his wife, Joseph
discovered that she was bearing a child. The Gospel tells
us, quite clearly and simply, of his decision: "But Jo¬
seph, ... being a just man, and not wishing to expose her
to reproach, was minded to put her away privately"
(Matt. 1:19).
Sickness, death, or merely the vicissitudes of everyday
life may impose upon us separation from one whose
friendship constitutes a very dear possession. To recog¬
nize in this deprivation the holy will of God and to ac¬
cept it generously is the mark of one who is truly poor
in spirit. Even as God immediately reassured Saint Joseph
after this trial of his virtue, so will He, according to His
own most adorable designs, reward us with peace of soul
in this life and the possession hereafter of the kingdom
of heaven, where "death shall be no more; neither shall
there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more, for the
former things have passed away" (Apoc. 21:4).
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, let no particular attachment hold
captive part of the love I owe to Christ. Let not my af¬
fection for any person or for any position in life interfere
with my observance of God’s law. When circumstances
upset my plans concerning my friends or my projects, en¬
able me to adjust myself, without interior disturbance, to
this manifestation of the holy will of God.
Concluding Prayer
(To be used at the end of the third meditation each day:)
Almighty Father, from whom all graces come: I praise
and bless and thank Thee for Saint Joseph’s devotion to
6
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
Our Lady. Grant that, through his loving intercession,
I, too, may be truly devoted to Our Lady. O my powerful
patron Saint Joseph, obtain for me the favor I now ask.
IV. Devotion to the Divine Child
As one meditates on the first Beatitude, there comes
to mind another forceful statement which Christ made:
"Amen I say to you, with difficulty will a rich man enter
the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:23). Yet it is note¬
worthy that the heavenly Father sent a luminous star to
summon wise and wealthy Gentiles to be among the first
worshipers of His Divine Son.
The visit of these colorful foreigners, which caused
such excitement and consternation in the household of
Herod, must have attracted even greater attention in
Bethlehem. What an accumulation of celebrated person¬
ages in a single spot! In the arms of Heaven’s Queen lay
the Prince of Peace. Close by stood Joseph, whom we
salute in his litany as the renowned offspring of King
David. Crowding into the tiny quarters of the Holy Fam¬
ily came Kings from the East (sages and members of a
sacred caste). "They found the child with Mary His
mother, and falling down they worshiped Him. And
opening their treasures they offered Him gifts of gold,
frankincense and myrrh.” (Matt. 2:11)
These were men possessing great material riches. They
had been called in a special manner to the kingdom of
heaven. By their response they proved their poverty of
spirit. Without stint they gave of their wealth to the
King of heaven, and thus secured for themselves the
FIRST DAY
7
happiness which Christ so lavishly bestows on those who
are generous with Him.
Saint Joseph, accepting the Magi’s gifts, presents a
charming picture of the man of tact. At first sight, it
might appear that the gifts of gold, frankincense and
myrrh were extremely inappropriate and impractical. But,
as the poet Hilaire Belloc has said, "The grace of God
is in courtesy”; and Saint Joseph sensed instinctively that
these Wise Men with their luxurious trappings were really
needy: their noble hearts were filled with a human
need — to give. From Saint Joseph we can learn that
poverty of spirit consists in gracious humility, in order to
accept without offense material gifts, or service, or any¬
thing which others wish to bestow — gifts which our in¬
dependence and self-sufficiency find unwelcome.
With gracious dignity Joseph accepted these royal
offerings from the Magi. In a spirit of poverty and in
poverty of spirit, he consulted Mary as to how they might
best use such gifts for the good of the Divine Child.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, lover of poverty, help me to acquire
a spirit of indifference with regard to food, clothing,
house furnishings and other necessities of life. Follow¬
ing your example, I will strive to develop a correct out¬
look on creatures and the comforts they provide. In this
way I will heed the prayer of the liturgy which asks that
we may so pass through the good things of time as not
to lose those which are eternal.
8
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
Concluding Prayer
(To be used at the end of the fourth meditation
each day:)
Almighty Father, from whom all graces come: I praise
and bless and thank Thee for Saint Joseph’s devotion to
the Divine Child. Grant that, through his loving inter¬
cession, I, too, may be truly devoted to Jesus. O my power¬
ful patron Saint Joseph, obtain for me the favor I now ask.
SECOND DAY
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth”
(Matt. 5:4).
/. Fidelity to Grace
TN THE second Beatitude, Christ recommended a virtue
which men find it particularly hard to practice —
meekness. Among the moral virtues, meekness is the one
most frequently misunderstood. Generally, it is looked
upon as a passive virtue. Saint Thomas, however, does
not so regard it. He associates it with the gift of forti¬
tude, and considers it the special virtue required by those
who would exert a holy violence in the acquisition of
sanctity. "The kingdom of heaven,” says Christ, "has
been enduring violent assault, and the violent have been
seizing it by force” (Matt. 11:12). Meekness is the re¬
splendent jewel adorning those who have gained mastery
over their anger, irritability, resentment, and impatience.
It is the passport to security, tranquillity, and solid con¬
fidence amid the annoying and disturbing incidents which
throng our day-to-day existence.
SECOND DAY
9
Unwavering fidelity to grace was the golden thread
woven through the pattern of Saint Joseph’s life. By it
he won the favor of the Holy Spirit and merited the gift
of fortitude, which perfected in his soul the virtue of
meekness. Study the scene in which he learned that the
proud Roman emperor had prescribed a registration of
all his subjects, regardless of the hardships imposed.
Saint Joseph’s reaction was prompt and energetic. With¬
out a word of complaint he set about the course of action
which grace inspired him to take. While his neighbors
grumbled about the order of Augustus, Saint Joseph began
his preparations for the trip to Bethlehem. He knew that
it takes scant effort to talk, to complain, to criticize. To
obey, in silence, out of respect for authority, calls for a
degree of patience, of meekness, of fortitude, which meas¬
ures the stature of a saint.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, teach me by the example of your
holy life to react with meekness and fortitude to situations
which irritate and annoy me. When my own weakness
would incline me to grumble about assignments, to criti¬
cize those in authority, or to complain about difficulties,
place on my lips the aspiration, “Jesus, meek and humble
of heart, make my heart like unto Thine!”
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
II. Fidelity to the Interior Life
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the
earth” — the earth, or land, of their own hearts; a land
10
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
inherently their own, yet jealously coveted by each man’s
deadly enemy, Satan. As Saint Paul describes it so vividly
in his Epistle to the Ephesians, life is a constant warfare,
in which Satan strives relentlessly for possession of man’s
immortal soul. To be victorious, one must plan his strat¬
egy wisely, evaluate his own strength and weakness, and
anticipate the enemy’s mode of attack. All this calls for
introspection, self-examination, and awareness of the Holy
Spirit who, as a sort of Divine Ally, dwells within the
land. Successful campaigning demands constant and in¬
timate communication with Him.
As a master strategist in this warfare, Saint Joseph
has much to teach us. To ensure victory he recommends
two measures: silence and close association with Jesus
and Mary. By silence one gains the upper hand over his
most unruly member, the tongue, of which Saint James
says that it is "a little member, but it boasts mightily”
(James 3:5). Mastery over all the manifestations of our
irascible nature begins with mastery of the tongue. "If
anyone does not offend in word, he is a perfect man, able
also to lead round by a bridle the whole body” (James
3 : 2 ).
In Saint Joseph, the Church holds up to us the image
of this "perfect man.” Just as the Pharao said to the
Egyptians of that other Joseph, so the Church bids us,
in regard to Mary’s spouse: "Go to Joseph and do what
he tells you” (Gen. 41:55). His is the silence, not of
the man who has nothing to say, but of one who is intent
on nourishing the word of God planted within him. The
heart in which silence does not reign produces an unlovely
crop — frivolity, thoughtlessness, selfishness, vanity, rash
judgments, and violations of charity — a perfect yield to
serve as setting for Satan’s unholy revelry. One who
SECOND DAY
11
would prevent Satan from usurping the land of his heart,
or who would reclaim it from Satan’s proud advances,
must begin with imitation of Saint Joseph in his prac¬
tice of silence, and progress with him in the attainment
of meekness.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, in my warfare against Satan I
must gain control of my tongue. Help me to make
progress in the practice of silence that I may become
increasingly aware of the presence of God and hold con¬
verse with Him in my heart. In moments of impatience
assist me that I may not fall into faults of the tongue.
Help me to speak to others as you would if you were
in my place.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
III. Devotion to Our Lady
For the development of any skill one is advised to
imitate a master. This recommendation is equally im¬
portant for those who wish to acquire a specific virtue.
Certainly, in the practice of patience the example of
Mary was an inspiring model for Saint Joseph. Consider
one situation in which Our Lady displayed this virtue in
a heroic degree.
On the day of the Archangel Gabriel’s visit, Mary
had conceived the Christ Child. In the mysterious de¬
signs of God, this fact was concealed from Saint Joseph,
although it was revealed to Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth.
12
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
Soon after the Annunciation, Mary went to visit Eliza¬
beth and probably remained with her until after the
Baptist’s birth. Upon her return to Nazareth, Saint Jo¬
seph became immediately aware that she to whom he was
espoused was soon to be the mother of a child.
This was, without question, one of the most difficult
situations of Mary’s life. The mystery of the divine
maternity, the rarest privilege ever conferred by God
on one of His creatures, was still her secret. It was not
for her to divulge it even to Joseph; she must wait for
God’s plan to develop as He willed. Meanwhile she
understood the anguish of Saint Joseph, the inner con¬
flict which was tormenting him. She knew he was filled
with anxiety and grief, unable to understand what had
happened; and few crosses are more painful than to have
one’s actions misunderstood by one whom we hold
most dear.
Joseph’s meekness and strength prevented any resent¬
ment or reproach from arising during the days when he
silently and prayerfully weighed the course of action he
should take. "Charity is patient,... is not provoked;
thinks no evil” (1 Cor. 13:4, 5). Trusting in Divine
Providence, Mary bore the pain of Joseph’s misunder¬
standing with the gentle patience of a truly valiant
woman. And in proportion to the pain of the God-sent
trial Mary and Joseph endured was their joy when the
angel’s message revealed to Joseph the mystery of the
Incarnation and the selection of Mary by the Triune God.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, be my strength when misunder¬
standings arise. Let me not show resentment in word
SECOND DAY
13
or deed; and may I never insist upon justice at the sacri¬
fice of meekness. Help me, all-powerful patron, to un¬
derstand better the power of your kindness so that I may
more readily practice the difficult but beautiful virtue of
patience.
(See page 64.)
Concluding Prayer
IV. Devotion to the Divine Child
Saint Joseph’s carpenter shop was for him both a
place of business and the school in which he learned the
lessons of sanctity taught by the example of his Divine
foster Son. Who could doubt that above all else he
learned the lesson which Christ was later to urge upon
all His disciples, "Learn from Me, for I am meek and
humble of heart" (Matt. 11:29) ?
Work in a carpenter shop implies social contacts.
Without stretching the imagination, one can envision the
general run of Nazarene customers. Surely they included
the faultfinders who complained about the grain of wood
used in a piece of furniture they had ordered; the penny-
pinchers who haggled over the price of an article; the
inconsiderate who demanded immediate attention regard¬
less of the pressure of other work; the irresponsible who
on one day placed an order for an item of such-and-such
proportions and the following day appeared with en¬
tirely different directions for its construction.
Many a time while Saint Joseph stood quietly planing
a board or measuring a chest he observed his young Ap¬
prentice in His dealings with the people of Nazareth.
14
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
Even as when he had heard the Boy, at twelve, dis¬
coursing with the priests in the Temple, he was now
"amazed at His understanding and His answers” (Luke
2:47). Never did a customer’s displeasure or abuse pro¬
voke a sharp answer. Never did the curve of His lips or
the angle of an eyebrow indicate the slightest impatience.
Christ had the strength to be meek. From Him, Saint
Joseph can and will obtain for his clients the grace neces¬
sary for the practice of the virtue of meekness.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, assist me in my daily examination
of conscience that I may strive sincerely to detect my
failures in the practice of meekness and humility. Help
me to grow, as you grew, in knowledge and love of
Christ that I may imitate His virtues and give glory to
His name.
(See page 64.)
Concluding Prayer
THIRD DAY
"Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be com¬
forted n (Matt. 5:5).
1 . Fidelity to Grace
TPHE few passages in the Gospel narratives in which
Saint Joseph appears present to us episodes of anguish
and sorrow matched in no other human life, except that
THIRD DAY
15
of Christ and of Our Lady. The explanation of their
singular poignancy lies in the fact that each sorrow had
as its focal point the glorious Son of God.
Review these seven sorrowful incidents in Saint Jo¬
seph’s life: his anguish of heart after his espousal to Our
Lady when she was found to be with child; his grief at
being able to find no shelter but a stable at the time
of Christ’s birth; his pain as he beheld the knife which
was to draw the first drops of the Precious Blood at the
circumcision; the thrust of the double-edged sword of
Simeon’s prophecy, which foretold the future sufferings
of the two whom Saint Joseph cherished more than life
itself; his distress when he had to oblige Mary to take
flight to escape the murderous designs of Herod; his fear,
on the return from Egypt, of the reaction of the new
king, Archelaus, and his uncertainty as to the wisest course
of action; his inconceivable heartache during the agon¬
izing period of search when the Christ Child was lost in
Jerusalem.
Each incident, however painful, formed part of God’s
design for His Incarnate Son. The prophets had fore¬
told the virgin birth of the Messias, had designated Beth¬
lehem as His birthplace, and had said that ‘'He shall be
called a Nazarene” (Matt. 2:23). In both the circum¬
cision and the presentation in the Temple, the Holy Fam¬
ily were obeying prescriptions of the Mosaic Law. Christ’s
own answer to His Mother’s quiet rebuke in the Temple
after His absence of three days indicated clearly that His
parents’ pain was inseparable from His conformity with
His Father’s will.
Grace is often spoken of as a “light” in the soul.
"In your light we see light,” says the psalmist (Ps. 35:10).
16
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
Saint Joseph’s fidelity to grace brought him the gift of
understanding, which enabled him to see in each painful
episode of his life the mystery of the divine dispensation.
In each of his sorrows the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete,
brought him divine comfort.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, be my model in the acceptance
of sorrow. May I recognize each pain and sorrow that
comes to me as a part of God’s design for my sanctifica¬
tion. Teach me to meditate frequently upon your seven
joys and sorrows that I may derive from them inspira¬
tion and strength.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
II, Fidelity to the Interior Life
Mystery invites meditation. Each incident of Christ’s
early life in which Saint Joseph is mentioned is shrouded
in deep mystery. The strange prophecy of the aged
Simeon, in particular, involved Saint Joseph in profound-
est thought and prayer.
Simeon’s first words, acclaiming the tiny Babe as the
"light of revelation to the Gentiles, and a glory for Thy
people Israel,’’ left "His father and mother... marvel¬
ing at the things spoken concerning Him.’’ Boundless joy
surged up in the heart of Saint Joseph as God’s mercy
and providence were thus publicly recognized and praised.
Then Simeon spoke again. This time his words were
directed to Mary alone: "Behold, this Child is destined
THIRD DAY
17
for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, and for
a sign that shall be contradicted. And thy own soul a
sword shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts may
be revealed.” (cf. Luke 2:32-35)
Saint Joseph was a man of prayer. From frequent
recitation of the psalms he had become familiar with their
figurative language. Beneath the symbolism of a sword
he could easily discover the real meaning of Simeon’s
words. Sorrow which would pierce to the depths of
Mary’s being, pain which would drain her very life — this
was to be the lot of Mary — and she must bear it alone!
Such, Saint Joseph realized at once, was the import of
the aged man’s prophetic utterance.
As the years unfolded, this episode ever more deeply
penetrated the heart of Saint Joseph. Time and again
he pondered the phrases in which Isaias had foretold
the humiliations, the sufferings, and ignominious death
of the Messias. As he called to mind again and again
the words of Simeon which seemed to imply that Mary
would suffer alone, the conviction grew that he was not
to be asked to witness the redemptive act of Christ. The
quick protective instinct of this man of strength rose up
in protest; his strong faith restrained his impulse and
made him yield to whatever was demanded by the divine
plan. From his submission there flowed into his soul the
grace and peace which brought him comfort. "Blessed
are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, teach me in my sorrows and dis¬
appointments not to turn to creatures for comfort but
to seek the comfort of the Holy Spirit who dwells within
my heart. Help me to cultivate a deep love of the Holy
18
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
Scriptures, that by prayerful study of them I may come
to look upon my own sorrows in the light of Christ’s
life and teachings.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
Ill, Devotion to Our Lady
A joy shared is doubled. A sorrow shared is diminished.
Like any other family, the Holy Family experienced
periods of joy and sorrow. Mary and Joseph shared all
these together. Mary found comfort in Joseph’s steady
protection as they faced rejection at door after door in
Bethlehem. She relaxed beneath his reassuring glance
as they hastily gathered up the sleeping Christ and set
out upon their flight to Egypt. She welcomed the warm
clasp of his calloused hands as he helped her dismount
from the donkey before the dwelling they had selected
in a strange Egyptian town. It was lonely in that foreign
land. Poverty and the haste of their flight imposed count¬
less inconveniences. On every side Mary and Joseph en¬
countered difficulties in their social contacts. Without the
cheering resourcefulness of Saint Joseph, Our Lady’s
heartaches would have been intensified beyond measure.
In the Old Testament the author of Genesis recounts
how God once used the jealous designs of men to arrange
an extraordinary set of circumstances in Egypt. Within the
royal palace, the Pharao had established in a position of
honor and power one from a foreign land who would
turn the mourning of his brothers into joy. This was
Joseph, son of Jacob, whom the Pharao had made "lord
THIRD DAY
19
of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt”
(Gen. 45:8). In him was prefigured Saint Joseph who,
when forced to flee from his homeland into Egypt be¬
cause of the jealous designs of Herod, comforted and
protected Mary and her Divine Babe in their sad exile.
Just how long the sojourn in Egypt lasted — whether
as long as two years — is not known. But when we read
of the earlier Joseph that "the Lord was with him and
prospered all his undertakings” (Gen. 39:3), can we not
think that Divine Providence assisted Saint Joseph in his
efforts to earn a livelihood and establish a comfortable
home for Our Lady and the Divine Child while they
dwelt in a foreign land?
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, be my protector as you were the
protector of Jesus and Mary during their exile in Egypt.
When others are suffering, help me to be quick to detect
their trouble and to offer tactful sympathy and comfort.
When circumstances place strangers or visitors in my
path, teach me to be gracious and to extend to them on
all occasions the courtesy and hospitality I would like
to have shown to you and to Jesus and Mary during your
sojourn in Egypt.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
IV, Devotion to the Divine Child
To those who look upon them with the eyes of faith,
the hidden years of Christ’s life reveal many of the secrets
20
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
they hold. One of these is the relationship between Saint
Joseph and his foster Son. Holy Scripture hints strongly
at the most salient feature of this relationship: its lack
of an unusual quality before the eyes of the world.
In the early days of His public ministry, Jesus returned
to His home town of Nazareth. "All bore... witness,"
says Saint Luke, "and marveled at the words of grace
that came from His mouth. And they said, 'Is not this
Joseph’s son?’ ’’ (Luke 4:22). All four evangelists record
this reaction on the part of Christ’s fellow townsmen.
Matthew (who may have learned of it from Saint Joseph)'
and Mark add the pathetic comment: "And they took of¬
fense at Him’’ (Matt. 13:57; Mark 6:3).
Christ’s fellow Nazarenes knew Him as the lad whom
they had watched grow up among them as apprentice to
the village carpenter. Joseph had exercised such perfect
self-control that no word or gesture or attitude of his
had deviated in the slightest degree from the normal re¬
lationship of father to son. From him came no revelation
of the secret that this Child was the Son of God. It was
not for him to disclose God’s plan.
Now, the mainspring behind Saint Joseph’s acceptance
of his role of shadow of the Eternal Father was faith.
He believed that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messias;
that He was to save His people from their sins; that His
divine mission of redemption would fulfill the Messianic
prophecies. Saint Joseph did not press for explanations
of how this was to be accomplished. His was a quiet,
unquestioning faith, that virtue whose supreme value
Christ stressed on so many occasions during His public
life. It is safe to conclude that the firm confidence of
Joseph in his foster Son during those happy years to¬
gether must have been the greatest source of comfort to
FOURTH DAY
21
Christ in that scene at Nazareth when He was rejected
by His own. How consoling the memory of Joseph’s
trust when the Nazarenes could not reconcile Jesus’ hum¬
ble origin with His claim of divine power! "And all in
the synagogue, as they heard these things, were filled with
wrath. And they rose up and put Him forth out of the
town, and led Him to the brow of the hill, on which
their town was built, that they might throw Him down
headlong. But He, passing through their midst, went His
way.” (Luke 4:28-30)
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, help me to learn, from the ex¬
ample of your holy life, that I must do the ordinary things
of life in an extraordinary way. Strengthen within me
the gift of faith which I received in Baptism. Let me see
in each of my companions "another Christ.” By frequent
meditation on the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ
may I come to love Him in all and all in Him.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
FOURTH DAY
te Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for
they shall be satisfied” (Matt. 5:6).
/. Fidelity to Grace
TN A single word the evangelist has summed up the
virtues of Saint Joseph: he was a just man. The virtue
22
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
of justice is coextensive with the rational activities of
man’s mortal life. It imposes the obligation of rendering
to God and man what is due to each. Essentially justice
is a social virtue which regards first the acknowledgment
of God’s rights — His right to the worship of His crea¬
tures and their recognition of His goodness and love —
and, secondly, the rights of the members of the human
family. One who consistently respects these rights is a
just man and, therefore, holy.
The ramifications of this virtue are so numerous that
without the light of grace one can easily overlook some
of its obligations. Justice requires us to do certain things
and to refrain from certain actions. The minimum pre¬
scriptions are set down in the Ten Commandments. More
than this, however, justice obliges us to be something.
The relative importance of what one does and of what
one is shines forth strikingly in Saint Joseph’s life. He
erected no cathedrals, organized no societies, led no pil¬
grimages, founded no institutions, made no contributions
to the art or literature of the world. Yet what saint could
match the ardor of his devotion to Our Lady, his con¬
formity to the will of God, his intimacy with God’s own
Son? God’s plan for him called for no magnificent dis¬
play of talents. His was not to be a life of startling aus¬
terities nor was he to endure heroic martyrdom. The
proof of his zeal and fortitude was the quiet persever¬
ance with which he rendered justice to God and man.
His was a steady growth in holiness. In return he re¬
ceived, even in his mortal life, his fill of happiness in the
company of Jesus and Mary, knowing that with the help
of grace he was sharing in the redemptive act of Christ.
FOURTH DAY
23
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, lead me to understand that what
I am in the sight of God is more important than what I
do. Clarify my spiritual vision so that in each situation
in life I may recognize what constitutes justice to God
and men and may have the grace and strength I need to
act accordingly.
(See page 64.)
Concluding Prayer
II. Fidelity to the Interior Life
"To hunger and thirst for justice”: this phrase ex¬
presses, in figurative language, the intensity with which
one should yearn to see his fellow men respect the rights
of God and the rights of men. When these rights are
violated, one is inclined to resort to action to compen¬
sate for the injustice done to another. But action which
is concerned merely with legislation or social reform is
liable to remain ineffective. It must be aimed at the
rectification of men’s hearts. Our Lord Himself, enumer¬
ating some of the forms of injustice, declared: "For from
within, out of the heart of men, come evil thoughts,
adulteries, immorality, murders, thefts, covetousness,
wickedness, deceit, shamelessness, jealousy, blasphemy,
pride, foolishness” (Mark 7:21-22; cf. Matt. 15:19-20).
Careful scrutiny of one’s own heart must precede
efforts to correct the injustice of others. In phrases un¬
equaled for clarity and simplicity, Christ emphasized this
principle: "But why dost thou see the speck in thy
brother’s eye, and yet dost not consider the beam in thy
24
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
own eye? And how canst thou say to thy brother, 'Brother,
let me cast out the speck from thy eye,’ while thou thy¬
self dost not see the beam in thy own eye? Thou hypo¬
crite, first cast out the beam from thy own eye, and then
thou wilt see clearly to cast out the speck from thy
brother’s eye.” (Luke 6:41-43)
How nobly Saint Joseph exemplifies the just man, the
man of holiness of life, whose first concern is the purity
of his own heart! Because of his persistent searching,
not the slightest vestige of sin was allowed to gain en¬
trance there. By a similar fidelity to the interior life,
the Christian, too, can maintain a purity of heart that
constitutes a delightful garden wherein the Holy Spirit
loves to dwell.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, direct my zeal and temper it with
prudence and tact that I may not be overeager to criti¬
cize or correct my neighbor while I neglect my efforts at
self-improvement. Strengthen me in my resolve to attack
with persistence my evil inclinations and to root out of
my heart all sinful passions.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
III. Devotion to Our Lady
Guided by his unerring sense of justice, Saint Joseph
lavished upon Our Lady a constant and selfless devotion.
Mary was his lawful wife. It was not only his unique
FOURTH DAY
25
privilege, then, but also his duty to protect her, to pro¬
vide for her needs, to be her companion, and to share
with her the responsibility for the upbringing of the
Christ Child. To meet these obligations, Joseph had to
work hard. Far from considering his work distasteful
or burdensome, Joseph regarded it as the blessed means
whereby he earned a livelihood for the Holy Family.
In his work, as in all else, Saint Joseph was just. We
can interpret this to mean that whether he was build¬
ing a cradle for a friend’s baby or a house for a relative,
his prices were fair and his work was thorough. To all
his labors he brought deep honesty of workmanship. No
matter for whom a piece was intended, Joseph fashioned
it with the skill and love he would have expended on
it had he been making it for Mary. And the work thus
accomplished must have won not only the respect and
admiration of his fellow townsmen, but the loving ap¬
proval of Our Lady. With this, Saint Joseph knew com¬
plete happiness.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, in you I find the perfect model of
devotion to Mary, to whom you consecrated your life.
Teach me to model my devotion to our Blessed Lady on
the devotion you showed her. Let me offer my work to
her and invite her to be with me as I work. Help me
to carry out my assignments in the spirit of Mary and
to consciously perform my tasks in her honor that, like
you, I may offer her constant and selfless devotion.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
26
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
IV. Devotion to the Divine Child
If at any time the heart of Saint Joseph burned with
a desire for justice, it surely did so on the evening when
he and Mary arrived in Bethlehem. The journey from
Nazareth had been long and wearisome. Our Lady’s
fatigue caused Joseph increasing anxiety. At last they
came upon an inn. It is important to note that Joseph
had no hesitancy about asking for lodging there. He and
his wife were not beggars; they had money to pay for
their room and board. In commenting upon the humili¬
ating experience, Saint Luke uses words suggesting Our
Lady’s mild reserve, "There was no room for them in
the inn” (Luke 2:7).
Months of prayer and meditation had brought to Saint
Joseph some insight into the impenetrable mystery of the
Incarnation. Already he had comprehended the truth
which Saint John was to set forth so starkly in the open¬
ing chapter of his Gospel: "He came unto His own, and
His own received Him not” (John 1:11). Here, in this
city of David, the King whom David prefigured was re¬
jected. Here, in Bethlehem, "House of Bread,” there
was no room for Him who was the Bread of Life. In
the face of his fellow men’s cold indifference to human
need, the great heart of Saint Joseph was flooded with
emotion. For the people of Bethlehem he felt over¬
whelming pity. Their ears, attuned only to the frivolous
din of the world and deafened to charity, could not hear
their Saviour’s voice as He called to them, "Behold, I
stand at the door and knock” (Apoc. 3:20). For Mary,
his soul cried out with what Saint Thomas calls an "in¬
satiable desire” for the consideration which in justice
was due to her. For the unborn Christ whom Mary bore,
FIFTH DAY
27
Saint Joseph burned with the desire that He be recognized
and accepted among His own. Yet all these emotions
produced no disquietude of heart. One dominant note
prevailed: "For those who love God all things work
together unto good” (Rom. 8:28). From the unjust re¬
fusal of men, Saint Joseph turned to the cave of Bethle¬
hem; and when "the night in its swift course was half
spent” (Wis. 18:14), Mary brought forth her Son and
for Saint Joseph the cup of happiness was full: his heaven
had begun on earth.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, pour into my heart an ardent zeal
for the spread of Christ’s kingdom on earth. Increase
my fervor, extend the desires of my heart that they may
include all the desires of Christ. Teach me to be gen¬
erous in my prayers that, having the mind of Christ,
I may offer fervent supplication for priests, for mission¬
aries, and for all who labor for the conversion of sinners.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
FIFTH DAY
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy”
(Matt. 5:7).
I. Fidelity to Grace
T’HE folly of our fellow men, their shallowness, hypoc-
A risy, irreverence, and malice can be serious stumbling
28
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
blocks to us. In our zeal we insist upon high standards
of conduct, but we forget the proper role we should
play in order to bring them about. A pharisaical hard¬
ness of heart impels us to denounce the sinner along with
the sin and with austere severity to invoke divine justice
upon the wrongdoers. In a passage of Saint Luke’s Gos¬
pel we see our Lord confronted with such an attitude:
“And [He] sent messengers before Him. And they went
and entered a Samaritan town to make ready for Him,
and they did not receive Him.. .. But when His disciples
James and John saw this, they said, 'Lord, wilt Thou
that we bid fire come down from heaven and consume
them?’ But He turned and rebuked them, saying, 'You
do not know of what manner of spirit you are; for the
Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to
save them.’ ” (Luke 9:51-52, 54-56)
The fiery indignation of the two apostles whom Christ
Himself called ''sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17) stands
out in sharp contrast to the mild and merciful reaction
of Saint Joseph to a world that refused to welcome his
foster Son. Christ’s plea on Calvary, "Father, forgive
them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke
23:34), was anticipated in Saint Joseph’s heart on the
streets of Bethlehem, on the flight into Egypt, and at the
time he learned of Herod’s brutal massacre of the innocent
Jewish babes. If ever man had provocation for resent¬
ment or condemnation in the face of human perversity, it
was Saint Joseph. But he followed the inspirations of
the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Mercy, becoming in this
virtue of mercy, as in all others, our perfect model.
With heroic self-control and with virtue which flowered
because of his fidelity to grace, Saint Joseph won the
FIFTH DAY
29
right to claim God’s mercy because he was himself a
perfect example of mercy.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, obtain for me the special grace
I need in order to be merciful. Help me to distinguish
between the sin and the sinner and to measure out mercy
to others as I hope to have God show mercy to me. As
I recite the Our Father, may I always say with special
fervor the words: "Forgive us our trespasses as we for¬
give those who trespass against us.”
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
II. Fidelity to the Interior Life
Of Adam’s sin, Holy Mother Church sings: "Oh
happy fault that merited so great and so merciful a
Redeemer!” Had the creature not sinned, he would
never have known the full reaches of his Creator’s tender
forgiveness. Without the example of such mercy, man
could never have learned how to practice this virtue,
which elevates him to a dignity high above his fallen
state.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
From the Word of God incarnate Saint Joseph learned
the beauty of mercy. In Mary, "Mother of mercy,” he
saw this beauty crystallized. Each day, as head of the
Holy Family, he uttered in prayer the psalms of David
through which, like a golden motif, runs the praise of
God’s mercy: "Answer me, O Lord, for bounteous is
30
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
Your kindness; in Your great mercy turn toward me....
Great has been Your kindness toward me; You have
rescued me from the depths of the nether world.... But
You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to
anger, abounding in kindness and fidelity.... For as the
heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is His
kindness toward those who fear Him... ; gracious and
merciful is the Lord.”
Each day Saint Joseph silently contemplated the mercy
of God as, close beside him in the workshop, measuring
a beam, shaping a wagon wheel, wiping perspiration
from His forehead, his foster Son — the merciful Son
of God — applied Himself to the work of man’s redemp¬
tion. Here was a profound mystery for meditation! As
though stored in a fathomless reservoir, the mercy of
God remained apparently untapped during those years of
the hidden life of Christ. Through long centuries Israel
lay steeped in sin. Then came John the Baptist, bearing
witness to the coming of the Saviour and reminding the
people of the signs which Isaias had said would proclaim
this advent. Now would the glory of the Lord be re¬
vealed (cf. Isa. 40:5). John uttered a ringing summons
to penance. And when the people asked him, "What then
are we to do?” he dictated works of mercy: "Let him
who has two tunics share with him who has none; and
let him who has food do likewise” (Luke 3:11). All
this Saint Joseph pondered in his heart.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, whom God has appointed to be
my model in all aspects of my life: be my model espe¬
cially in my life of prayer. Teach me to love the psalms,
FIFTH DAY
31
most of which were composed by your royal ancestor,
David, and to recite them frequently, as you did, that I
may praise God for all His mercies to me.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
111. Devotion to Our Lady
Not infrequently, at the moment of death, the loving
and merciful Queen of heaven has appeared in vision to
one of her clients who has cultivated a tender devotion
to her throughout life. What, then, must have been the
death of Saint Joseph? His unique relationship to Mary
surpassed that of any other saint in closeness, tenderness
and love. So, too, were the circumstances of his death
unique. Years of close association with Jesus and Mary
had been its preparation. Constant growth in sanctifying
grace had marked those years. Death meant merely the
rending of the thin veil which separates this mortal state
from life eternal. Son of Adam that he was, Saint Joseph
was heir to Adam’s punishment. Only by passing through
the gate of death could he possess immortality.
Although the Gospel does not describe Joseph’s last
hours on earth, Holy Mother Church, in her litany in
his honor, invokes him as "Patron of the dying.’’ She
seems thereby to confirm the tradition — which certainly
accords with what one would expect — that Saint Jo¬
seph’s last moments were made peaceful and holy by the
presence of Mary, "our life, our sweetness, and our hope.”
This was the reward which Joseph’s fidelity to Our Lady
32
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
and her Son merited for him. "Give, and it shall be given
to you,” our Lord was to tell His followers; "good
measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over,
shall they pour into your lap. For with what measure
you measure, it shall be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).
How magnificently, at his death, was Saint Joseph re¬
warded for his years of devotion to Our Lady and her
Divine Son!
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, patron of a happy death, assist
me in my last hours on this earth. At this moment I
willingly accept that death which God has appointed for
me. Obtain for me the grace of final perseverance. Draw
my thoughts to heaven that amid the pleasures of this
life I may never lose sight of the goal of all my striving,
the eternal happiness of heaven.
(See page 64.)
Concluding Prayer
IV. Devotion to the Divine Child
One of the most appealing of Christ’s parables is the
story of the prodigal son. Three characters appear in the
story: the spendthrift younger son; the resentful older
brother, whose boasted virtues did not include charity;
and the tender, loving, merciful father. Is it not likely
that in this touching parable Christ drew a picture of
His own beloved foster father, Joseph? Upon the sensi¬
tive mind of Christ there was stamped, in all probability,
the indelible memory of the joy and relief that flooded
Saint Joseph’s countenance, the love that burned in his
FIFTH DAY
33
eyes, on that morning in Jerusalem when His parents
found Him in the Temple. He remembered, too, that
His Mother had questioned Him and had mildly, but
firmly, rebuked Him for having failed to accompany
them as they set out for Nazareth. But Joseph had said
not a word; he had simply rejoiced to have his Boy
back again.
Christ needed not that any man should tell Him, for
He knew what was in man — and He knew what was
in Joseph. In the microcosm of a small town like Naza¬
reth, the good and the bad, the weak and the strong,
have their types. Jesus must have met them all; and
so must Joseph. It is very likely that in the carpenter
shop He had seen this silent man’s gentle treatment of
one of the town’s ne’er-do-wells. Or He had observed
Saint Joseph as he soothed an angry father’s stormy re¬
sentment against a spendthrift son, or checked the merci¬
less criticism of the town’s gossip.
One could not conceive of Saint Joseph, whose holi¬
ness was so pre-eminent, lacking the Christlike virtue of
mercy. How comforting is the thought that the Sovereign
Pontiffs have acclaimed him not only as the ideal whom
husbands and fathers of families should imitate, but as
the Patron of the Universal Church. In him, each mem¬
ber of Christ’s Mystical Body finds an understanding
friend, a wise counselor, a merciful intercessor.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, remember the title you hold by
papal pronouncement, "Patron of the Universal Church.’’
As a member of the Church, a member of Christ’s Mys¬
tical Body, I invoke you as my special patron, father,
34
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
and guardian. Intercede for me with your Divine foster
Son and direct my feeble efforts to reproduce within my
soul the image of Christ. Be with me, dear patron, in
life and at the hour of my death.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
SIXTH DAY
"Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God”
(Matt. 5:8).
I. Fidelity to Grace
C AINT Luke has provided us with the vivid details of
^ an episode which emphasizes the truth of Christ’s
pronouncement: ’'Blessed are the clean of heart, for they
shall see God.”
The scene is Jerusalem. A young couple reverently
approach the Temple. In her arms the mother holds a
tiny Baby; her husband carries a cage which contains two
pigeons — the ceremonial offering prescribed for poor
people upon their presentation in the Temple of their
forty-day-old baby boy.
As they make their way through the sacred edifice to
the appointed spot, the young couple are stopped by one
who has long been a familiar figure to Temple visi¬
tors— "old Anna,” as they call her. Bent beneath the
weight of more than fourscore years, with eyes grown
dim and lusterless, she gazes in rapture at the tiny Babe.
SIXTH DAY
35
Then in joyous tones she proclaims Him the Redeemer
of Israel. The bystanders smile pityingly at her, sur¬
mising that her age has affected her wits. But Anna’s
heart has been purified by prayer and penance. Her vision
has been illuminated by grace. Looking upon the Infant
Son of Mary, she recognizes Him as the Messias, the
Son of God.
Without a word, but with hearts uplifted in praise
of God for His gifts to His creatures, Mary and Joseph
advance toward the altar of the ceremony. Again they
are stopped. A venerable man, dignified and sure of step,
moves quickly toward them. Emotion has flooded his
eyes with tears. Silently he stretches forth his arms, and
without a question Mary places in them her precious
burden. After long moments Simeon’s words burst forth
in a canticle of gratitude and praise. He, too, recognizes
in Mary’s Babe the long-awaited Redeemer. Responding
to the grace of the moment — a grace granted as reward
for his fidelity to grace during many years — Simeon, like
Mary, like Joseph, like Anna, enjoys a foretaste of the
bliss of heaven. From his heart, purified by the Living
Flame of the Holy Spirit, comes the blessed proclama¬
tion of this Child as the "Light of revelation to the Gen¬
tiles, and a glory for Thy people Israel” (Luke 2:32).
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, as I make my examination of con¬
science each day, remind me to invoke the Holy Spirit.
Help me to increase my intimacy with this Divine Guest
who dwells within my soul that, by His light, I may be
able to recognize Christ and His will for me in whatever
disguise He comes to me each moment of the day.
36
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
(See page 64.)
Concluding Prayer
II. Fidelity to the Interior Life
The heart and mind of Saint Joseph were stored with
accounts of the history of his people — the people of
Abraham, and Jacob, and David the King, through whom
he traced his own lineage, as Saint Matthew has recorded
in the first chapter of his Gospel. Joseph knew thoroughly
the history of the Jewish race — its glorious election by
God, its perversity and ingratitude, its stubborn sinful¬
ness. Moreover, he comprehended the mysterious fact
of man’s solidarity in sin. Although he had spent his
whole life in the single-minded effort to live in perfect
conformity with God’s will and to keep his heart un¬
sullied by sin, he knew the oppressive burden of sorrow
and suffering which is man’s legacy from Adam. He
knew, too, grief at the present behavior of his race. In
Bethlehem he witnessed the Jews’ callous indifference to
Mary in her hour of need. He learned how, in Jerusalem,
the scribes and chief priests, revealing their knowledge
of the Messianic prophesies when questioned by Herod,
yet irresponsibly disregarded them. In Egypt Joseph suf¬
fered the neglect, the discrimination which many a refugee
in a foreign land has experienced. In Nazareth, the little
town which was so despised — "Can anything good come
out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46) —Joseph saw his Divine
foster Son offering to His heavenly Father the adoration
of a perfect life amid the unreceptive, earthly-minded
townspeople.
SIXTH DAY
37
With vision clarified by grace, Saint Joseph recog¬
nized in each situation the failure of his fellow men to
correspond to God’s designs. And in proportion to their
failure he intensified his own efforts to offset their sin¬
fulness by his own purity of soul. For his zeal, his
fidelity, his generosity, his fervor there was a blessed
reward: "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall
see God.”
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, help me to increase my spirit of
reparation. Obtain for me the grace of fervor in prayer
that, in union with Christ’s sufferings and death, renewed
in each holy Mass, I may offer the prayers, works, joys
and sufferings of each day in reparation for my sins and
for the sins of the whole world.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
Ill, Devotion to Our Lady
In an elegant ballroom in the White House in Wash¬
ington, two highly polished mirrors hang opposite each
other. Between them is suspended an exquisite crystal
chandelier. The reflection of the chandelier in one mirror,
caught by the other and reflected into the first, and the
mutual multiplication of reflections creates the brilliant
illusion of an endless series of chandeliers.
The life at Nazareth might be compared to that
room. For about thirty years in his humble dwelling in
Nazareth, Joseph marveled at the loveliness of Our Lady,
38
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
who caught and reflected the image of Incarnate Beauty,
Christ, the spotless Lamb of God. But Mary was not
the only one lending beauty to that simple home. Gazing
at His Mother, catching and reflecting God’s image as
He saw it reflected in her, was Christ, Saint Joseph’s
foster Son. Mary reflecting Christ, Christ reflecting Mary
who was reflecting Christ — here was no illusion for
Saint Joseph, but a reality with mysterious depths.
The loveliness of Mary, full of grace, eludes any
artist's pen or brush. But it did not elude the gaze of
Joseph. In her he beheld afresh each day the attractive¬
ness of that hallowed Ark of the Covenant which had
sheltered for nine months the Incarnate Word. Joseph
revered Mary as the beloved daughter of the heavenly
Father, the virgin mother of the Eternal Word, the chaste
spouse of the Holy Spirit, the immaculate temple of the
Blessed Trinity. "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they
shall see God.” The intense purity and holiness of Saint
Joseph’s heart can be deduced from the degree of his
intimacy with Mary and her Divine Son. God gave him
the grace of purity that he might be worthy of his voca¬
tion. Through his correspondence with this grace, he in¬
creased constantly in holiness, fulfilling the mystical
meaning of his name which signifies "Increase,” or
"Augment.”
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, I realize that no one can have the
gift of purity unless God gives it to him. Obtain for
me the prudence I need to protect this delicate virtue.
Teach me to imitate your wisdom and fortitude that I
may reflect in my life this virtue of the strong.
SIXTH DAY
39
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
IV, Devotion to the Divine Child
Two keys are needed to open the precious jewel box
within which reposes a "pearl of great price,” the re¬
splendent virtue of purity. The first of these keys, God’s
grace, will not be withheld from anyone who humbly
asks for it in prayer. But God’s grace alone will not
suffice; there must be co-operation with that grace. Thus,
a second key is necessary: man’s persistent effort. This
effort must be exercised in two directions: in times of
temptation, by prayer and self-discipline; at other times,
by unremitting devotion to duty. The latter is a form of
mortification distasteful to human nature. It leaves one
with a minimum of idle moments — and idle moments,
it is well known, provide Satan with an ideal opportunity
for successful attack.
Here, again, the life of Saint Joseph offers inspira¬
tion. In an era in which machinery had not yet stolen
from man the privilege of exercising the creative powers
latent in his fingers, the work of a carpenter was ex¬
tremely time-consuming. We learn something of the con¬
ditions of Saint Joseph’s work from Saint Justin Martyr,
who wrote in the second century. He tells us that Saint
Joseph and the Boy Christ made farming implements as
well as a variety of other indispensable articles. In all
probability Joseph and Jesus, like other carpenters of
their time, sought out and felled their own trees in the
woods, and prepared their own lumber before constructing
the plows, the furniture, the houses and barns that were
40
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
needed in Nazareth. All this required muscle-straining
toil, wearying hours, strenuous attention to details. At
the same time, it was work conducive to contemplation.
In the carpenter shop of Nazareth an atmosphere of peace
and recollection prevailed. It was a sanctuary made holy
by the presence of the Son of God. Of Joseph pre¬
eminently among men it could be said: "Blessed are the
clean of heart, for they shall see God.”
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, I invoke you as Model of Work¬
ingmen. Be my model in all the work I undertake for
the honor and glory of God. Help me to sanctify, by
my union with Christ, each moment devoted to work.
Obtain for me the grace to be humble and to accept each
task generously as coming from a loving and provident
Father. May I labor always, whether in obscurity or in
a prominent position, to use whatever talents God has
given me to promote His honor and glory and thus merit
an eternal reward.
(See page 64.)
Concluding Prayer
SEVENTH DAY
^Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called
children of God” (Matt. 5:9).
1. Fidelity to Grace
TN THE seventh Beatitude, Christ declares the peace¬
makers blessed. But one cannot be a peacemaker un-
SEVENTH DAY
41
less peace first reigns in his own heart. Peace is the pos¬
session of those who have established in their lives, in
their desires, a proper order — an order which is a re¬
flection of the divine order. To achieve this, one must
regard all creatures, all events, from God’s point of
view. In each situation of life one must accept God’s
will and trust in His providence. One must become, as
Christ Himself recommended, a little child — confident
in his Father’s goodness and love, secure, docile, and
carefree.
Only by the power of grace can one attain this blessed
condition of mind and heart. Saint Joseph’s correspond¬
ence with grace was so complete, so constant, so perfect
that he acquired this precious peace as a consequence of
the gift of wisdom which the Holy Spirit poured into his
heart. By this gift he was able to grasp in each event the
divinely intended order.
Consider, for example, the scene in the Temple of
Jerusalem when the distraught parents found their lost
Child holding a conference with the Doctors of the Law.
Mary said to the Boy, “Son,... in sorrow Thy father and
I have been seeking Thee.” The Child’s answer gently
but firmly corrected her point of view and established
the God-appointed order: “How is it that you sought
Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s
business?” (Luke 2:48-49) In perfect simplicity Saint
Joseph, as well as Mary, acquiesced, even though the
words suggested that the hour had come when Christ
would leave His home at Nazareth to begin His Mes¬
sianic mission. Saint Joseph effectively teaches us how
to be simple, how to be a peacemaker, how to be worthy
to be called a child of God.
42
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, each day at Mass I join the priest
in saying, "Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of
the world, grant us peace!" Obtain for me the grace to
say this prayer with fervor and help me to establish
firmly peace in my own heart that I may aid in its spread
to the lives of others.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
II. Fidelity to the Interior Life
In the Mass of Corpus Christi, the Church prays for
the gifts of unity and peace which are mystically signified
by the offerings of bread and wine. The Holy Eucharist
is, indeed, the Sacrament of peace. In this Blessed Sacra¬
ment there are present the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity
of the glorified Saviour; and the constant message of the
glorified Christ when He appeared to His Apostles after
the resurrection was "Peace be to you!” Each time the
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered, the liturgy recalls,
at the Communion of the Mass, Christ’s words before
His Passion: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give
you,” and from the earliest days of the Church the kiss
of peace was exchanged before participation in the Euchar¬
istic banquet.
Saint Thomas has called the Eucharist the "pledge
of future glory” wherein the peace of heaven shall be
unending. And in that heavenly peace Saint Augustine
says that the union of members of the Mystical Body with
each other and with Christ, the Head, will be so intimate
SEVENTH DAY
43
that"there will be only one Christ loving Himself.” Such
is the sublime significance of the finely blended grains
of wheat and the crushed grapes that constitute the host
and wine which veil the Sacramental Presence.
A profound mystery here presents itself. Christ is
sacramentally present in the Holy Eucharist, truly and
completely present; but His presence is not limited by
the shape and the dimensions of the host. And to Christ
the Head, all members of His Mystical Body are united.
Through this Blessed Sacrament, therefore, we are all
mystically united not only to Christ, but to one another
and to Saint Joseph, to Mary, the Apostles, and all the
saints — present, past and future. The Blessed Sacra¬
ment is indeed the bond of unity. With Saint Paul one
must exclaim: "Oh, the depths of the riches of the wis¬
dom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehen¬
sible are His judgments and how unsearchable His ways!”
(Rom. 11:33). The wonder of the mystery invites medi¬
tation, and the meditation nurtures our interior life.
One who, like Saint Paul or Saint Thomas, penetrates
the depths of the mysteries associated with the Holy
Eucharist approaches closer to that point where he may
be enabled "to comprehend... what is the breadth and
length and height and depth, and to know Christ’s love
which surpasses knowledge” (Eph. 3:18-19). Such con¬
templation establishes in our interior life that admirable
tranquillity of order which is peace.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, help me to make fruitful medi¬
tation upon the sublime mystery of the Holy Eucharist.
44
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
Teach me to recognize in this Sacrament the perfect ex¬
ample of every virtue: charity, obedience, humility, pov¬
erty, silence, generosity, meekness, patience. When per¬
sons or situations cause me distress, direct me to confide
the matter as quickly as possible to Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament and to seek there restoration of peace of soul.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
III. Devotion to Our Lady
The present era has often been called the Age of
Mary. Those who know and love Our Lady salute her
under many titles, but they particularly invoke her in
these troubled times as Queen of Peace. As a matter
of fact, Our Lady herself gave a striking indication of
her concern for the peace of the world in the apparitions
at Fatima. In predicting to the three children the great
miracle which would take place during her visit in Octo¬
ber, the Immaculate Virgin promised: "Saint Joseph will
come with the Holy Child, and soon afterwards peace
will be granted to the world.” And while the spectac¬
ular miracle of the "dancing sun” gripped the pilgrims
in awe and terror, the children witnessed a series of
visions, in one of which Saint Joseph, holding the Infant
Christ in his arm, made the sign of the cross over the
world three times.
From this event three significant conclusions can be
drawn: first, Our Lady points to her beloved spouse, Saint
Joseph, as a peacemaker. Secondly, Our Lady indicates
SEVENTH DAY
45
that devotion to Saint Joseph is inseparable from devo¬
tion to herself and that neither of them can be separated
from devotion to the Incarnate Son of God. Thirdly,
men must learn that, if they would establish peace in the
world, they must look to the Holy Family and study the
lessons taught therein. Man’s first duty is to set things
in order within the family circle. Parents and children
must be united, must share common interests, must live
in mutual love and harmony. Charity, which Saint Paul
calls "the bond of perfection” (Col. 3:14), must prevail
within this circle and must then move out into ever-
widening circles to affect society. At the root of most
family strife there lies, undoubtedly, the ugly trait of self¬
ishness. No trace of this ever dimmed the happiness
of the Holy Family at Nazareth. Consideration, sympa¬
thy, generosity, self-control, cheerfulness — amid such
virtues the days at Nazareth passed blissfully, in peace
and love, for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, in imitation of your blessed life
I will strive to preserve peace with those with whom I
live in closest contact, and I shall try to practice the vir¬
tues so attractively exemplified in the Holy Family. Help
me to develop a living faith that will enable me to rec¬
ognize in others the image of Christ, that I may show
them the courtesy, generosity, and amiability that I would
show to Him.
(See page 5.)
Concluding Prayer
46
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
IV. Devotion to the Divine Child
The interior life of Saint Joseph was deepened and
beautified by his constant contact with the Person of the
Incarnate Word. During those blessed years which we
call the hidden life of Christ, Saint Joseph enjoyed the
physical presence of God’s own Son, whose divinity,
though concealed beneath the veil of human flesh, he
nevertheless perceived with the eyes of faith. The in¬
evitable result of this close contact with Christ was peace.
As Saint Paul proclaims: ’'He Himself is our peace”
(Eph. 2:14). Hence, Saint Joseph, living in the blessed
peace of Nazareth, diffused that peace among his fellow
men and became united with them through his foster
Son, who would later make to His Father that prayer
of all-surpassing charity: "That all may be one” (John
17:21).
The peace of Nazareth was, then, for Saint Joseph,
the prelude to that peace of heaven which is essentially
union through Christ with the Father. For Saint Joseph,
the physical presence of Christ was the efficacious cause
of that peace. For those, however, who were not to ex¬
perience His physical presence on this earth, Christ made
provision through a miracle of love. On the altar, under
the sacramental species, Christ is as truly present as He
was in the carpenter shop at Nazareth. But, as Saint
Thomas points out, in Nazareth only His divinity lay
concealed; in the Eucharist, both humanity and divinity
are hidden.
SEVENTH DAY
47
Because of his unique role of shadow of the Eternal
Father, Saint Joseph was united with the Father, through
Christ, and thus lived in continual anticipation of the
face-to-face vision of God in heaven. This same con¬
sciousness of the Father, this desire for union with Him
in heaven, Christ intends His presence among us in the
Blessed Sacrament to effect. This is the emphatic message
which He repeated so insistently the night before His
Passion. Not only is the Holy Eucharist a Sacrament
which engenders faith and love; it is the basis of our
hope. It prompts us to view all things sub specie aeterni-
tatis — in the light of eternity — and thereby to estab¬
lish a proper order and peace in our lives. "Blessed are
the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of
God." Saint Joseph, in his devotion to the Divine Child
at Nazareth, sets the example for our devotion to the
same Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, help me to realize that each time
I receive Holy Communion I am preparing myself for
union with God in heaven. Obtain for me an increase
of the virtue of hope, and inspire me to make frequent
acts of this virtue that, amid the distractions of earthly
joys and sorrows, my thoughts may often dwell upon the
eternal bliss of heaven.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
48
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
EIGHTH DAY
"Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:10).
/. Fidelity to Grace
1VTOT every "cause of right" constitutes a major issue
1 of principles, nor does every persecution consist in
physical assault. In the ordinary course of everyday living,
God-fearing men and women often endure bitter suffering
occasioned by the indifference or positive disdain on the
part of their unsympathetic or belittling associates.
Often jealousy is the cause of this form of persecu¬
tion. Saint Joseph was probably no stranger to such
suffering, as can be inferred from an episode Saint Mat¬
thew describes which occurred during Christ’s public min¬
istry on the occasion of His second visit to Nazareth,
where He had grown up. Entering the synagogue there,
He taught His fellow townsmen with such authority that
"they were astonished, and said, 'How did this man
come by this wisdom and these miracles? Is not this
the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and
His brethren James and Joseph and Simon and Jude?
And His sisters, are they not all with us ?’ ... And they
took offense at Him’’ (Matt. 13:54-56, 57).
"Their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongue is a
sharp sword’’ (Ps. 56:5). The sting of these disparaging
remarks and the unkind reflection they cast upon those
who were so dear to Him drew a severe rebuke from the
gentle Christ, as Saint Luke recounts (cf. Luke 4:23-27).
The words of Christ were wisdom and power; yet they
EIGHTH DAY
49
were received with incredulity because they were the
words of the son of Joseph, the carpenter of that lowly
village of Nazareth — the town of which even the gen¬
tlemanly Nathanael laughingly remarked, "Can anything
good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). The im¬
plication is clear: Joseph was, in the eyes of the Naza-
renes, a craftsman, nothing more. True, he was "of
the house and family of David” (Luke 2:4), but he
had not the prestige of the Scribes or Pharisees. For¬
tunately, the evangelist has recorded for us the obser¬
vation which Christ made on this occasion, expressing
His perfect understanding of human psychology: "A
prophet is not without honor except in his own country,
and in his own house” (Matt. 13:57). Neither Nazareth
nor any place on this earth was Christ’s true country, nor
Saint Joseph’s either, any more than it is ours. "Our citi¬
zenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20). In all afflictions which
our fellow men cause us, we must remember: "Blessed
are they who suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven.”
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, teach me, in all the misunderstand¬
ings which befall me in this life, to study the life of
Christ, that I may learn from His example and be com¬
forted and strengthened by His words. When the dis¬
appointments of this life cast dark shadows on my path,
lift my thoughts to the kingdom of heaven, my true home,
where God wills me to live forever with Him in love
and peace.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
50
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
II. Fidelity to the Interior Life
Among the stories recounted in the Old Testament,
none holds more fascination than the story of Joseph,
the youngest son of Jacob, and his amazing career among
the Egyptians. Surely Saint Joseph must have reflected
frequently on this account of one of the same lineage
as himself. Particularly during his own sojourn in Egypt
he must have pondered the similarity of circumstances
which had brought the earlier Joseph and himself into
this pagan land. "Blessed are they who suffer persecu¬
tion for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Jealousy, treachery, deceit — such was the pattern Jo¬
seph’s brothers had followed in seeking to rid themselves
of their father’s favorite son. It was this same pattern
of jealousy, treachery, and deceit that Herod had followed
in his dastardly efforts to dispose of the Eternal Father’s
only Son — of whom the Father was to declare: "This is
My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt.
3:17).
Egypt, the land of strangers, the scene of discouraging
toil and disappointing rebuffs, nurtured the growth of
Saint Joseph’s interior life. Here, during the Christ
Child’s earliest days, His foster father came to realize
the deep significance of the holy name of Jesus, which
he had himself given the Child at His circumcision. The
former Joseph had been the victim of hatred, false wit¬
ness, persecution, but in the end became the savior of
his people. In him Saint Joseph recognized a type of the
Messias. In Christ, his foster Son, he knew the Messias
had come. "Thou shalt call His name Jesus; for He
shall save His people from their sins,” the angel had in-
EIGHTH DAY
51
structed Saint Joseph (Matt. 1:21). Unlike the apostles,
Saint Joseph had no false notions about the role the
Messias was to play. He realized that as regards the sin
of Adam, "without the shedding of blood there is no
forgiveness” (Heb. 9:22). With faith, and hope, and
love, Saint Joseph accepted the role of suffering which
was in store for his beloved foster Son.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, with what great reverence you
must have uttered the holy name of Jesus! Help me to
increase my own devotion to this holy name. May I spread
love and reverence for it among others, and by my prayers
and sacrifices may I offer reparation for the sins of blas¬
phemy and the insults committed against this holy name.
May my favorite aspiration be: "O Jesus, be to me Jesus
and save me!”
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
Ill, Devotion to Our Lady
"The occasion does not make the man, it shows you
what he is.” How well this truth is exemplified by Saint
Joseph during the flight into Egypt! The tension and
weariness of that difficult journey put his virtues to a
severe test. Here, perhaps better than in any other epi¬
sode which the Gospels recount concerning him, a study
of his noble conduct is rewarding.
As head of the Holy Family, Saint Joseph is the ex¬
emplar of the perfect father and the perfect husband.
52
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
As father, he had to provide for and protect his Infant
Son. But the Divine Child was still in that helpless stage
of infancy in which He depended entirely on His Mother
for food, and found all the security and comfort He
needed as He nestled in the gentle curve of her arm.
Mary, on the flight into Egypt, is essentially the Madonna.
She and her Divine Babe are inseparable.
Saint Joseph, then, found himself doing everything
Ad Jesum per Mariam — for Jesus through Mary. Like
rich jewels in the precious crown which the liturgy of his
feast bestows upon him ("Thou hast set on his head a
crown of precious stones" — cf. Ps. 20:4), the virtues of
Saint Joseph gleam resplendently throughout this mys¬
tery of the flight into Egypt. In a prominent place were
Joseph’s faith in the divine maternity of Mary and in
the divinity of his foster Son, as well as perfect trust in
Divine Providence in the face of perplexing vicissitudes;
there was, too, his cheerful and unquestioning acceptance
of God’s will and his prompt obedience, combined with
his forgetfulness of self and utter devotion to duty. Here
was the first sodalist of Mary, for sodalis means a devoted
companion. Here was the first "slave of love," demon¬
strating true devotion to Mary along the lines which
Saint Louis de Montfort would later preach to the world.
In Saint Joseph we can see, too, the first lay apostle,
setting a pattern which husbands and fathers, and lovers
of Christ and His Blessed Mother, should follow in their
pursuit of sanctity.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, be my model and guide in my
devotion to Our Lady. Teach me to do all "For Jesus
through Mary." May my words and actions reflect those
EIGHTH DAY
53
virtues which are so dear to Mary and her Divine Son,
and may my devotion to you, dear Saint, draw me closer
to the Immaculate Heart of your beloved spouse.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
IV. Devotion to the Divine Child
Only one evangelist records the horrifying story of
the slaughter of the Holy Innocents. This is Saint Mat¬
thew, whose Gospel, tradition says, depends for its ac¬
count of events connected with Christ’s Infancy upon
details gleaned from Saint Joseph. What sorrow must
have filled the tender heart of this great saint when he
learned of the unspeakable crime which the jealous
Herod had committed against the innocent babes in his
kingdom! Safe in Egypt, Mary and Joseph shuddered
as they realized what Herod had attempted. They grieved
for the heartbroken Jewish mothers whose babies had
been roughly snatched from their arms and cruelly mur¬
dered. What a price those infants paid for their re¬
semblance in age to the innocent Lamb of God! Yet
what a glorious reward they immediately received. In the
Divine Office for their feast, they are celebrated as those
who "follow the Lamb wherever He goes . . . ; purchased
from among men, first-fruits unto God and unto the
Lamb” (Apoc. 14:4). How perfectly is the promise of
Christ fulfilled in their case as they stand without spot
or stain before the throne of God: "Blessed are they
who suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.”
54
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
Today the massacre of the innocent is being repeated
on a scale that defies calculation. Martyrs by the thou¬
sands shed their blood in the cause of right. Thousands
more endure a living death, stripped of their dignity,
reduced to a subhuman existence. In their pitiful plight,
their sole comfort and source of strength must be their
trust in God and in the unfailing promises of His Divine
Son. Surely the present-day victims of persecution as well
as their brothers in the Mystical Body should beg Saint
Joseph to obtain for them the gift of understanding, that
they may see deep into this mystery of suffering and
through it attain the kingdom of heaven.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, enlighten me that I may have a
proper attitude toward pain. Teach me not to dread it
but to look upon it as my opportunity to share in the re¬
demptive act of Christ’s Passion. In my contacts with
those who are carrying the cross of physical suffering,
may my words bring them comfort and hope and the
courage to unite themselves with Christ’s sufferings.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
NINTH DAY
"Happy the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights
in His commands .... His heart is firm, trusting in the
Lord ” (Ps. 111:1, 7)
I. Fidelity to Grace
“THE just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like
a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow” (Ps. 91:13). A
NINTH DAY
55
wealth of meaning can be found in this brief statement
which the liturgy applies to Saint Joseph.
Among all trees, the palm is designated as royal.
Saint Joseph was a prince of the House of David, the
spouse of the Queen of heaven, the virgin father of
Christ the King.
The palm rises to a height generally exceeding that
of all other trees. The exalted heights of Saint Joseph’s
dignity can be approached by none other, excepting only
the Immaculate Mother of God.
In proportion to its height, the palm tree has sunk
its roots deep into the earth; thus it stands firm in spite
of any buffeting by the winds. The steadfastness of Saint
Joseph’s virtue has won for him the title of "Joseph
most just.”
The psalmist, writing in an age less scientifically ac¬
curate than our own, held the opinion commonly accepted
in his day that the palm produced its fruit without pol¬
lination. Saint Joseph’s dignity rests upon his position
as virgin father of Jesus.
The tall, columnar trunk of the palm is devoid of
branches but is crowned with large, graceful leaves. Saint
Joseph’s steady, unspectacular growth in virtue raised
him to a lofty degree of sanctity which God has crowned
with honor and glory to the delight of all who gaze
upon it.
Finally, the palm is an extremely important and val¬
uable plant from the economic point of view. Through¬
out history it has served man’s need for nourishment and
protection and its gracefulness has contributed to the
arts. In the inspiring Litany of Saint Joseph he is in-
56
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
voked as "guardian,” "protector,” and "ornament of do¬
mestic life.” As Patron of the Universal Church he is
charged with an over-all responsibility for the care and
welfare of each member of Christ’s Mystical Body.
But it is not only the palm tree that adequately sym¬
bolizes Saint Joseph. "Like a cedar of Lebanon shall he
grow” (Ps. 91:13). Three characteristics of the cedars
of Lebanon apply to Saint Joseph. The wood of this tree
has ever been highly prized for its fragrance as well as
for its durability.
The virtues of Saint Joseph have never ceased to send
forth an "odor of sweetness”; and time has been power¬
less to diminish the glory of this chosen saint, this "wood¬
worker” who provided an inviolable shelter for Mary,
the Ark of the Covenant, as well as a shrine for the In¬
carnate Son of God.
The most distinctive feature of the Lebanon cedar,
however, is the size of its trunk, from which extend
widespreading branches. A fitting symbol, this, of the
all-embracing protectiveness of Saint Joseph! In his de¬
votion to Christ — a devotion which today he as gener¬
ously directs toward Christ’s extension in time, His
Church, as he once lovingly bestowed it upon the Boy
of Nazareth — Saint Joseph stands ready to provide his
care and protection to all who have recourse to him.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, Prince of the House of David,
spouse of the Immaculate Mother of God and virgin
father of Jesus Christ, help me, as I struggle in this valley
NINTH DAY
57
of tears, to rise above the pettiness, the miseries, the
wickedness of this world. Shelter me beneath your fa¬
therly protection, preserve my soul from sin, and by the
example of your holiness lead me to the kingdom of
heaven.
(See page 64.)
Concluding Prayer
II. Fidelity to the Interior Life
Artists find it difficult to depict Saint Joseph. He is,
in a most special manner, "all things to all men.” In
symbol, the lily signifies that he is the virgin father of
the Son of God; the T-square identifies him as Saint Jo¬
seph the Worker, upon whom Pope Pius XII bestowed
fresh honors. Saint Joseph remains the despair of artists,
however, since his glory does not depend on achieve¬
ments which can be denoted by exterior signs. No epis¬
copal or regal robes, no insignia distinguished him; he
carried no crusader’s cross nor did he meet a martyr’s
death. What set Saint Joseph apart, what elevated him
to heights of sanctity that we cannot conceive, was his
love of God, his absolute trust. In hours of silent con¬
templation there had been revealed to him his special
relationship with each of the three Divine Persons: from
among all men he had been selected to be the shadow
of the Eternal Father; by his marriage with Mary he be¬
came the legal father of the Son of God; it was by the
overshadowing of the Holy Spirit that the Word be¬
came incarnate in his beloved spouse. These were truths
too sacred to find expression in words. Saint Joseph
58
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
stored them deep in the recesses of his soul and there
pondered them in silent prayer. He came to know that
within him there dwelt the Triune God, upon whom all
the powers of his soul were concentrated in holy adora¬
tion. Beside him, at the carpenter’s bench, toiled the
youthful Christ, whom he observed advancing from day
to day in wisdom, age, and grace. When he returned
home from work at the end of the day, he was wel¬
comed by Mary, the joy of Israel, the glory of her people.
The vocation of Saint Joseph brought him special
graces, as does the vocation of each soul whom God calls
to a life of closest intimacy with Himself. Often, as he
sang the psalms of David, Saint Joseph exclaimed with
fervor: "Happy the man You choose, and bring to dwell
in Your courts. May we be filled with the good things
of Your house, the holy things of Your Temple.” (Ps.
64:5) His unerring sense of values led Saint Joseph to
prefer what God had destined him for: a life of virginity,
of poverty and holy obedience. In the course of such a
life, constantly increasing his fidelity to the interior life,
he kept his hope fixed unchangeably on the Lord. For
his loving trust, his unswerving fidelity, God lavished
grace upon him, and from the great patriarch’s heart,
bursting with gratitude, there welled up those words of
his royal ancestor — words which Holy Mother Church
has appropriately adopted for the Divine Office of the
feast of Saint Joseph the Worker: "O Lord, in Your
strength the king is glad; in Your victory how greatly
he rejoices! You have granted him his heart’s desire;
You refused not the wish of his lips. For You welcomed
him with goodly blessings, You placed on his head a
crown of pure gold. He asked life of You: You gave
him length of days forever and ever. Great is his glory
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in Your victory; majesty and splendor You conferred
upon him. For You made him a blessing forever; You
gladdened him with the joy of Your presence. For the
king trusts in the Lord, and through the kindness of the
Most High he stands unshaken.” (Ps. 20:2-8)
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, in your fatherly hands I place my
life. Help me to fulfill, as you did, the vocation in life
to which God has called me. Intercede for me that, like
you, I may keep my hope fixed unchangeably on the
Lord and in loving trust give glory to His name in time
and in eternity.
Concluding Prayer
(See page 64.)
Ill, Devotion to Our Lady
The degree of Saint Josephs blessedness is best studied
in his relationship to his immaculate spouse. Three in¬
cidents may be selected which highlight Joseph’s great
love for the commandments of God. The remarkable
feature of each incident is the proof it gives that, in¬
comparable as was his love for Mary, his love for God
was even greater.
First, there was Saint Joseph’s decision when it ap¬
peared that Mary, his betrothed, had conceived a child
and the angel had not yet come to him with the reas¬
suring message: "Do not be afraid, Joseph, son of David,
to take to thee Mary thy wife, for that which is begotten
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REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
in her is of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 1:20). With a firm¬
ness that won for him the evangelist’s praise for being a
"just man,” and yet with a tenderness and sensitivity that
touched the very heart of God and stirred His immediate
intervention, Joseph decided upon the mildest course of
action the law would allow under the circumstances.
"... Not wishing to expose her to reproach [he] was
minded to put her away privately” (Matt. 1:19). He
had the right to bring the case before the village court,
but he would not even consider doing so, since it would
almost certainly expose Mary to a shameful judgment
and punishment. Yet as a law-abiding man he would
not remain in the false position of taking Mary as his
wife under the circumstances. Here was an instance of
that heroic virtue which places duty to God above all
human considerations.
Secondly, consider Joseph’s reaction to the edict of
Augustus, according to which he was obliged to go to
Bethlehem to register. The time for the birth of Mary’s
Child was fast approaching. Solicitude for his beloved
spouse made Joseph reluctant to see Mary undergo the
hardships and inconvenience which such a journey would
occasion. Nevertheless, the edict had been issued by the
lawfully constituted authority of the State. God’s law
obliged him to obey, for Joseph knew well the principle
which Saint Paul was later to express so forcefully: "Let
everyone be subject to the higher authorities, for there
exists no authority except from God, and those who exist
have been appointed by God. Therefore he who resists
the authority resists the ordinance of God; and they that
resist bring on themselves condemnation.” (Rom. 13:1-2)
Consequently, his human feelings had to be disregarded.
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Joseph had learned to put first things first. With a gen¬
tleness and understanding that more than compensated
for all the hardships of the unexpected journey, Joseph
made the necessary preparations and complied with the
Roman emperor’s command.
The flight into Egypt likewise emphasizes Joseph’s
unfaltering adherence to God’s law, which imposed upon
him the obligation to heed God’s will, once it became
known to him, regardless of the cost. In this case, an
angel brought God’s message to Saint Joseph, bidding
him take his family and hasten, for safety’s sake, into
Egypt. "So he arose,” the Gospel tells us, "and took the
Child and His mother by night, and withdrew into
Egypt” (Matt. 2:14). Saint Matthew’s bare statement
of the fact leaves it to the reader’s imagination to recon¬
struct the hazards of the journey through the desert, the
heart-gripping anxiety of the parents for the Child’s
safety, the loneliness, insecurity, and weariness that at¬
tended their flight.
Such is the example of perfect obedience to God’s
commandments which Saint Joseph’s life provides.
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, I believe that obedience to God’s
commandments is more important than any self-selected
act of devotion or self-imposed mortification. Increase
my faith that I may show to those who are placed over
me an obedience that is prompt, unquestioning, and com¬
plete. May I always recognize in the voice of authority
the voice of God Himself and come to know the peace
which accompanies humble submission.
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REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
(See page 64.)
Concluding Prayer
IV. Devotion to the Divine Child
Fear of the Lord is one of the precious gifts of the
Holy Ghost. It is the gift which emphasizes particularly
the filial relationship between the redeemed on earth and
their Father in heaven. Now, inseparable from the
thought of the grace of redemption is the grateful mem¬
ory of the Eternal Son of God, the Redeemer, the "one
Mediator between God and men, Himself man, Christ
Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5). And closely linked to the thought
of Christ the Redeemer should be the thought of His be¬
loved foster father, Saint Joseph.
In the natural as well as in the supernatural order,
the position of Saint Joseph was unique. The patriarchs
of the Old Law conformed their lives to the pattern given
on Mount Sinai, and in faith and hope looked forward
to the coming of the Messias. In their prayers they often
repeated the psalm of David: "Happy the man who fears
the Lord, who greatly delights in His commands.... His
heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.” (Ps. 111:1, 7) In the
New Law the saints constantly strive to conform their
lives to the pattern Christ gave on the Mount of the
Beatitudes, and in faith and hope and love they look back
upon the thirty-three years of Christ’s life on earth to study
their Model, and look forward to the second coming of
Christ in glory.
Saint Joseph needed to look neither forward nor back¬
ward. To his fatherly care and protection was entrusted
Emmanuel — God-with-us. In die words of the same
psalm, "He dawns through the darkness, a light for the
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upright; He is gracious and merciful and just” (Ps.
111:4). In company with Mary, Saint Joseph heard
Simeon, on the day of the presentation of the Christ Child
in the Temple, proclaim Him as the "light of revelation
to the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32). Saint Joseph, however,
among all saints whose vocation it is to reflect in them¬
selves to a greater or lesser degree Christ, the Light of
the World, and thus bear witness to His Godhead, was
selected by Almighty God for a unique role. It was the
precise vocation of Saint Joseph to conceal the Light of
the World from men, to foster the hidden life of Jesus,
to cloak with the veil of common humanity the divinity
of his foster Son until the time ordained by His heavenly
Father should come, when the mission of the Messias
would be made manifest to the world.
Because of his sublime vocation, his exalted dignity
as the divinely appointed spouse of Mary and the virgin
father of Jesus, Saint Joseph's primacy among the saints
has been recognized by theologians, and Christ’s Vicars
have proclaimed him Patron of the Universal Church.
With the same fidelity with which he fulfilled his earthly
vocation, Saint Joseph can be depended upon to carry out
his heavenly vocation. Confidently his clients repeat the
psalmist’s words: "Lavishly he gives to the poor; his gen¬
erosity shall endure forever” (Ps. 111:9).
Prayer
Dear Saint Joseph, accept me as your devoted client.
Like you, I wish to be content to fulfill whatever vocation
Providence has ordained for me. Let me never seek to
attract attention to myself; rather, let me rejoice when
others are praised but my good deeds are left unnoticed.
64
REFLECTING ON SAINT JOSEPH
With God’s grace, dear Saint, I shall strive to honor you
by imitating all your virtues, but especially your humility
and conformity to God’s will. ( Fourth Prayer below.)
Concluding Prayers
First meditation: Almighty Father, from whom all
graces come: I praise and bless and thank Thee for Saint
Joseph’s fidelity to grace. Grant that, through his loving
intercession, I, too, may be faithful to grace. O my power¬
ful patron Saint Joseph, obtain for me the favor I now ask.
Second meditation: Almighty Father, from whom all
graces come: I praise and bless and thank Thee for Saint
Joseph’s fidelity to the interior life. Grant that, through
his loving intercession, I, too, may be faithful to the in¬
terior life. O my powerful patron Saint Joseph, obtain for
me the favor I now ask.
Third meditation: Almighty Father, from whom all
graces come: I praise and bless and thank Thee for Saint
Joseph’s devotion to Our Lady. Grant that, through his
loving intercession, I, too, may be truly devoted to Our
Lady. O my powerful patron Saint Joseph, obtain for
me the favor I now ask.
Fourth meditation: Almighty Father, from whom all
graces come: I praise and bless and thank Thee for Saint
Joseph’s devotion to the Divine Child. Grant that, through
his loving intercession, I, too, may be truly devoted to
Jesus. O my powerful patron Saint Joseph, obtain for
me the favor I now ask.
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