JOSEPH: HIS LIFE, HIS VIRTUES, HIS PRIVILEGES, HIS POWER by Very Reverend Archdeacon Kinane (1884)
The distance from Nazareth to Hebron, where St. Elizabeth lived, was about 100 miles, and the road rough, lonely, and in some parts desert; as St. Joseph was the heavenly-appointed guardian of the Blessed Virgin, nothing is more reasonable and becoming than to believe that he accompanied his holy spouse in this journey of at least six days, though the Gospel is silent on the matter. … “St. Joseph prepared provisions for the journey—some bread, fruit, and a few small fishes, which he purchased. He had also a beast of burden, which was lent him to carry his provisions, and his Spouse, the Queen of all creation” (Mystical City of God).
We can well imagine the devout conversation, the communing with God, of these two holy souls during the journey from Nazareth to Hebron. Many ancient writers are of opinion that the Blessed Virgin, during the journey, unfolded to her chaste spouse the whole mysteries of the Incarnation which had just taken place, and of which he had a hazy knowledge at their marriage. … That St. Joseph stayed in the house of Zachary during the Blessed Virgin’s visit to her cousin there can be little doubt; and then accompanied and protected our Blessed Lady back on her journey to Nazareth. “And Mary abode with her about three months; and she returned to her own house ” (Luke 1:56). …
“Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph, her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: ‘Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins.’ … And Joseph, rising from sleep, did as the angel commanded, and took unto him his wife ” (Matthew 1:18-24).
We confess that the above narrative, at first sight, conveys to the mind the impression that St. Joseph doubted the fidelity of his holy spouse and that seeing her pregnant he was thinking of putting her away privately, that she might not be stoned to death, which was the usual punishment for an adulteress among the Jews. … After careful study, we ourselves hold, and fully believe the opinion … that St. Joseph never for a moment doubted the fidelity of Mary the Immaculate Mother of God. This opinion, we are convinced, is borne out by the sacred texts, by the unique events connected with the lives of Mary and Joseph, and by the authority of many Fathers and learned critics. …
But it may be asked, if St. Joseph did not doubt the fidelity of our Blessed Lady, how explain the text which tells us that he was thinking of putting her away privately, and that God even sent down an Angel from heaven to dissuade him from his purpose? … [T]hough St. Joseph had learned and knew much about the coming of the long expected Messias from the Prophets and traditions of his nation, from the unique circumstances attending his Espousal with the Virgin-daughter of Sion, as well as from Mary herself; yet it was only when he saw with his eyes the great fact of the Incarnation, that his mind fully realized the stupendous Mystery, and awe-stricken, so to speak, by the presence of the majesty of God, he deemed himself unfit to live in such close intimacy with Jesus and Mary; and hence he was meditating on the private separation mentioned in the Gospel narrative … [based on] the testimonies of a few of the many Fathers in favor of our opinion…
[W]e believe that the opinion is at least probable, and can be safely held and believed that St. Joseph, at the time of his Espousal, learned by “divine inspiration ” that Mary his chaste spouse was destined to be the future Mother of the Redeemer. Secondly, that the Blessed Virgin herself, at the time of the Incarnation, or very soon after, confided to St. Joseph the secret of the great Mystery. Thirdly, that God sent His Angel from heaven, not to remove any doubt or suspicion about the fidelity of the Immaculate Mother of God; but to confirm, by authentic and divine testimony, what St. Joseph had already privately known, that the word was made FLESH; also to stay with Mary as her guardian and protector; and finally, as reputed father, to give the name Jesus to the newly born Redeemer. “Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1: 20).
++++++++++
THE LOWLY LIFE AND BITTER PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST Vol 1 by Anne Catherine Emmerich
Mary’s Annunciation took place before Joseph’s return. He had not yet settled at Nazareth when, with Mary, he started on the journey to Hebron. After the Conception of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin experienced a great desire to visit her cousin Elizabeth. I saw her travelling with Joseph toward the south. … Although it was a long journey, they made it very quickly. They now had to cross two hills. I saw them resting between them, eating some bread and refreshing themselves with some balsam drops which they had collected on the way, and which they mingled with their drinking water. … Zachary’s house stood upon a solitary hill, and other dwellings were scattered around. Not far from it, a tolerably large brook flowed down from the mountain. …
When Zachary was returning from the Passover, I saw Elizabeth, urged by an impetuous desire, hurrying from the house and going a considerable distance on the road to Jerusalem. When Zachary met her, he was alarmed to find her so far from home and that, too, in her present condition. But she told him of her anxiety and that she could not help thinking that her cousin Mary was corning from Nazareth to see her. Zachary, however, thought it improbable that the newly married couple would at that time undertake so great a journey. On the following day, I saw Elizabeth taking the road again under the influence of the same impression, and now I saw the Holy Family coming to meet her. …
As soon as the Blessed Virgin saw Elizabeth, she knew her and hurried on to meet her, while Joseph purposely held back. Mary had already reached the houses in the neighborhood of Zachary’s home. … When the cousins met, they saluted each other joyfully with outstretched hands. I saw a light in Mary and issuing from her a ray which entered into Elizabeth, who thereby became wonderfully agitated. They did not pause long in sight of the beholders, but arm in arm passed up the courtyard to the door of the house, where Elizabeth once more bade Mary welcome. Joseph went around to the side of the house and into an open hall where sat Zachary. He respectfully saluted the aged priest, who responded in writing on his tablet. …
Mary and Elizabeth entered the room in which was the fireplace. Here they embraced, clasping each other in their arms and pressing cheek to cheek. I saw light streaming down between them. Then it was that Elizabeth, becoming interiorly inflamed, stepped back with uplifted hands, and exclaimed, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord.”
At these last words, Elizabeth took Mary into the little room prepared for her that she might sit down and rest. It was only a few steps from where they then were. Mary released her hold upon Elizabeth’s arm, crossed her hands on her breast, and divinely inspired, uttered her canticle of thanksgiving [Magnificat]. …
I saw Joseph and Zachary still together. They were conversing by means of the tablet, and always about the coming of the Messiah. … Joseph and Zachary came out and ate something. Joseph wanted to return home at once, but they persuaded him to stay eight days. He knew not of Mary’s conception. The women were silent on that subject. They had a secret understanding together about their interior sentiments. …
I saw Mary and Elizabeth much together. Mary helped with everything around the house and pre-pared all kinds of necessaries for the child. Both she and Elizabeth knit on a large coverlet for the latter, and they worked also for the poor. During Mary’s absence, Anne frequently sent her maid to see after Mary’s house at Nazareth, and once I saw her there herself. … They, Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Zachary, all spent the night in the garden. They sat or walked two by two, prayed now and then, or retired into the little summer house to rest. I heard them say that Joseph would return home on the evening of the Sabbath, and that Zachary would go with him as far as Jerusalem. …
After the [Sabbath] meal, Joseph accompanied by Zachary started on his journey home. The night was calm, the moon shining, and the sky studded with stars. Before parting, all prayed separately. Joseph took with him his little bundle in which were a few rolls and a small jug of something. … I saw Joseph and Zachary still on the road. They spent the night under a shed. They took very circuitous roads and, I think, visited many people, for they were three days on their journey. Again I saw Joseph at Nazareth. Anne’s maid took charge of the house for him, going to and fro between the two houses. With this exception, Joseph was entirely alone. …
The Blessed Virgin remained with Elizabeth three months, until after the birth of John, but she returned to Nazareth before his circumcision. Joseph went to meet her halfway on the journey, and for the first time noticed that she was pregnant. But he gave no sign of his knowledge, and struggled with his doubts. Mary, who had feared this, was silent and preoccupied, thus increasing his uneasiness. When arrived in Nazareth, Mary went to the parents of the deacon Parmenas and remained some days with them, Joseph’s anxiety had meanwhile increased to such a degree that, when Mary returned home, he determined to flee from the house. Then the angel appeared to him and consoled him.
++++++++++
REVELATIONS OF ST. BRIDGET, ON THE LIFE AND PASSION OF OUR LORD, AND THE LIFE OF HIS BLESSED MOTHER (published by D&J Sadlier & Co. in 1862)
[Mary to St. Bridget] But after I gave my consent to the messenger of God, Joseph, seeing my womb swell by virtue of the Holy Spirit, feared very greatly. Not suspecting me of anything sinister, but mindful of the sayings of the prophets who had foretold that the Son of God would be born of a virgin, he reckoned himself unworthy to serve such a mother until the angel instructed him in his sleep not to be afraid but to serve me with charity.
