Meditation: Feast of St Joseph, Husband of Mary by Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Meditation:  Feast of St Joseph, Husband of Mary by Saint Alphonsus Liguori

First Meditation

To understand how powerful is the intercession of Saint Joseph with Jesus Christ, we need only to know what the Gospel says, "and He was subject to them" - Luke 2:51. For thirty years, then, the Son of God attentively obeyed Joseph and Mary. Joseph had only to indicate his will by a word or a sign, and he was immediately obeyed by Jesus. This humility of Jesus in obeying, teaches us that the dignity of Saint Joseph was above that of all the Saints, with the exception of the Divine Mother.

Second Meditation

Let us now attend to what Saint Teresa says of the confidence which we should have in the protection of Saint Joseph; she says, "Our Lord seems to have granted power to other Saints to help in one necessity; experience proves that this Saint helps us in all; and that Our Lord wishes us to understand, that as on earth He was subject to him, so also in Heaven He refuses him nothing that he asks. Other persons whom I advised to recommend themselves to him have experienced this. I never knew anyone who served him, by practicing some particular devotion in his honor, who did not always progress in virtue. I entreat those who do not believe what I say, to try it themselves. I cannot understand how it is possible to think of the Queen of Angels, and of all the labors which she underwent during the childhood of Jesus, without returning thanks to Saint Joseph for all the services he rendered at that time to the Mother and the Son".

Third Meditation

We should especially be devout to Saint Joseph, in order that the Saint may obtain us a good death. He, on account of having saved the infant Jesus from the snares of Herod, has the special privilege of delivering dying persons from the snares of the Devil. Moreover, on account of the services which he rendered for so many years to Jesus and Mary, having by his labors provided them a dwelling and food, he has the privilege of obtaining the special assistance of Jesus and Mary for his devout clients at death.

My holy protector, Saint Joseph, on account of my sins I deserve a bad death; but if thou defendest me, I shall not be lost. Thou wast not only a great friend of my Judge, but thou wast also His guardian and adopted father; recommend me to thy Jesus, Who loves thee so much. I place myself under thy protection; accept me for thy perpetual servant. And by that holy company of Jesus and Mary, which thou didst enjoy on earth, obtain that I may never more be separated from their love; and, in fine, by the attendance of Jesus and Mary, which thou hadst in death, obtain for me, that at my death I also may have the special assistance of Jesus and Mary. Most holy Virgin, by the love which thou didst bear to thy holy spouse Saint Joseph, help me at the hour of my death.

Amen