The Saints on St. Joseph

On St. Joseph (Part 1)
Straight Answers, by Fr. William P. Saunders
Arlington Catholic Herald, March 16, 2006

Tradition also holds that [St. Joseph] died in the presence of Jesus and Mary. For this reason, St. Joseph is the patron saint of a holy death. Although not defined by the Magisterium, St. Francis de Sales (d. 1622) believed that St. Joseph was assumed body and soul into heaven:

"What is there left for us to say now if not that, in no way must we doubt that this glorious saint enjoys much credit in Heaven in the company of the One who favored him so much as to raise him there, body and soul; something which is all the more likely since we have no relic of him here below on earth. It seems to me no one can doubt this truth; for how could He have refused this grace to St. Joseph, he who had been obedient at all times in his entire life?" (complete Works).

On St. Joseph (Part 2)
Straight Answers, by Fr. William P. Saunders
Arlington Catholic Herald, March 23, 2006

Several great saints held great devotion to St. Joseph: St. Bernardine of Siena (d. 1444) preached,

"He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of His greatest treasures, namely, His divine Son and Mary, Joseph's wife. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying, 'Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.'"

St. Teresa of Avila (d. 1582) in her Life wrote,

"I took St. Joseph as my advocate and protector, and recommended myself very earnestly to him. He came to my help in the most visible manner. This loving father of my soul, this beloved protector, hastened to pull me out of the state in which my body was languishing, just as he snatched me away from greater dangers of another nature which were jeopardizing my honor and my eternal salvation! For my happiness to be complete, he has always answered my prayers beyond what I had asked and hoped for. I do not remember even now that I have ever asked anything of him which he has failed to grant. I am astonished at the great favors which God has bestowed on me through this blessed saint, and at the perils from which He has freed me, both in body and in soul."

In more recent times, Blessed Brother Andre Bessette* (d. 1937) had a tremendous devotion to St. Joseph. While he was a young man, he had a dream, seeing a church in an unfamiliar setting. From this dream, he was inspired that a beautiful church be built in honor of St. Joseph on Mount Royale in Montreal, Canada. Today, St. Joseph’s Oratory is the largest church in the world dedicated to St. Joseph. Blessed Andre never spoke of this being “his” project; rather, he said,

“Personally I am nothing. God chose the most ignorant one. If there was anyone more ignorant than I am, the good God would have chosen him.”

Through the intercession of St. Joseph, Blessed Andre performed various cures, but stated, “It is St. Joseph who cures. I am only his little dog.” Blessed Andre’s life reflects true devotion to St. Joseph: the simple, quiet, humble man who served the Lord and His family, the Church.

_______________

* Now Saint Andre (and also my cousin (nice to have a saint in the family))