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acquainted with the world. As Jesus
became older, Joseph taught Him the
trade of a carpenter. With his welldeveloped
spiritual sense, Joseph
could see something of the soul of his
foster-Son. It made him reverence the
Boy, and love Him with sentiments of
highest regard and tenderness. On two
occasions, Joseph also had known the
fear of losing Jesus: in the flight into
Egypt and seeking for Him for three
days before finding Him in the temple.
Something precious that is almost lost
becomes doubly dear to us. When the
danger and fear of loss were over,
Jesus was doubly dear to Joseph. Joseph
knew this Child was begotten of the
Holy Spirit and entrusted to him. A
father may look at his child and
think: this is my very own flesh and
blood, but Joseph could look at Jesus
and think: who has been so favored as
myself to have a Child given to me to
provide for, who is higher than my
own flesh and blood. No father ever
had a more fatherly heart for a son,
than did Joseph for Jesus!
Joseph’s Love for Mary
Joseph’s love for his wife was the love
of a man for a woman, except for the
element of bodily passion. Joseph
admired Mary and reverenced her. She
was a person with whom he lived and
spoke to intimately. His love for Mary
was tender, alive to her smallest wishes
and responsive to her joys and sorrows.
Joseph came to know Mary’s thoughts,
disposition and character; and his
understanding of her and his love for
her grew. The Blessed Mother was easy
to love, for there was no selfishness in
her. Selfishness is usually what destroys
a budding love. Everything Mary did
or said was apt to bring joy to those
around her. Joseph knew that, try as
he might, he would always fall short
of the full appreciation due to his
wife. He was not just the protector
and the provider, but the husband
who remembered to bring in a lovely
flower for his wife, and anticipated her
requests to help those in the village, who
were sick and poor, and needed their
charity. Mary was the mother favored
by God and Joseph never forgot these
things! He never intruded on her
privacy. Living with Mary was ever
delightful and exhilarating. Joseph was
a spiritual giant before he came to
know Mary. The effect of his great love
for the most perfect woman God ever
made, caused the soul of St. Joseph to
develop in beauty and perfection.
Go to Joseph
in sorrow and famine;
his intercession is powerful.
Go to Joseph
with great confidence;
he will help you
in all your necessities.
Go to Joseph
to learn how to live with God
and save your own soul.
Go to Joseph,
he will teach you how to love
Jesus and Mary.
In this present time of the
spiritual famine of our souls,
Go to Joseph!
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
I give thee my he art and my soul.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
assist me in m y last agony.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe
forth my soul in peace with thee.
(7 years Ind. for each invocation -
S.C. Ind. April 28, 1807)