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.

JOSEPH: HIS LIFE, HIS VIRTUES, HIS PRIVILEGES, HIS POWER by Very Reverend Archdeacon Kinane (1884)

From the Gospel narrative it is clear that the Incarnation of the Eternal Word took place, not in the Temple, but in the Holy House at Nazareth, where Mary and Joseph lived after their Espousals. … How soon after the Espousals did the Incarnation of our Blessed Lord take place we know not for certain, as the Gospel and ancient writers are silent. According to Venerable Maria of Jesus of Agreda, the Espousals, as we have already said, took place on the 8th of September, that is, six months and seventeen days before the Incarnation, and when the Blessed Virgin was fourteen years, six months, and seventeen days of age, and her holy spouse St. Joseph thirty-three. … Immediately after the Conception the Blessed Virgin left Nazareth to visit her cousin St. Elizabeth.

++++++++++

THE LOWLY LIFE AND BITTER PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST Vol 1 by Anne Catherine Emmerich

I saw the Blessed Virgin a short time after her marriage in the house of Nazareth. Joseph was not there. He was at that moment journeying with two beasts of burden on the road to Tiberias, whither he was going to get his tools. … Toward evening, they all prayed standing around a circular stool from which they afterward ate vegetables that had been served. Anne seemed to be very busy about the household affairs, and for a time she moved around here and there, while the Blessed Virgin ascended the steps to her room. … I saw her praying for a long time with intense fervor. She prayed for Redemption, for the promised King, and that her own supplications might have some influence upon His coming. She knelt long, as if in ecstasy, her face raised to Heaven; then she drooped her head upon her breast and thus continued her prayer. And now she glanced to the right and beheld a radiant youth with flowing, yellow hair. It was the archangel Gabriel. His feet did not touch the ground. In an oblique line and surrounded by an effulgence of light and glory, he came floating down to Mary. The lamp grew dim, for the whole room was lighted up by the glory.

The angel, with hands gently raised before his breast, spoke to Mary. I saw the words like letters of glittering light issuing from his lips. Mary replied, but without looking up. Then the angel again spoke and Mary, as if in obedience to his command, raised her veil a little, glanced at him, and said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done unto me according to thy word!” I saw her now in deeper ecstasy. The ceiling of the room vanished, and over the house appeared a luminous cloud with a pathway of light leading up from it to the opened heavens. Far up in the source of this light, I beheld a vision of the Most Holy Trinity. It was like a triangle of glory, and I thought that I saw therein the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

As Mary uttered the words: “May it be done unto me according to thy word!” I saw an apparition of the Holy Ghost. The countenance was human and the whole apparition environed by dazzling splendor, as if surrounded by wings. From the breast and hands, I saw issuing three streams of light. They penetrated the right side of the Blessed Virgin and united into one under her heart. At that instant Mary became perfectly transparent and luminous. It was as if opacity disappeared like darkness before that flood of light.

While the angel and with him the streams of glory vanished, I saw down the path of light that led up to Heaven, showers of half-blown roses and tiny green leaves falling upon Mary. She, entirely absorbed in self, saw in herself the Incarnate Son of God, a tiny, human form of light with all the members, even to the little fingers perfect. It was about midnight that I saw this mystery. …

An intuitive knowledge of what had taken place was conferred upon Anne. Mary knew that she had conceived the Redeemer, yes, her interior lay open before her, and so she already understood that her Son’s kingdom should be a supernatural one, and that the House of Jacob, the Church, would be the reunion of regenerate mankind. She knew that the Redeemer would be the King of His people, that He would purify them and render them victorious; but that in order to redeem them He must suffer and die.

NOTE

JOSEPH: HIS LIFE, HIS VIRTUES, HIS PRIVILEGES, HIS POWER by Very Reverend Archdeacon Kinane (1884)

The Blessed Virgin, when only three years of age, was presented in the Temple to God by her pious parents, SS Joachim and Anne; and there lived in silence and prayer, absorbed in holy contemplation, communing with her God. … The Blessed Virgin, long before her Espousals had made a vow of perpetual chastity, had consecrated to God the purity of her body and soul, and as she lived in the Temple it is most probable that the priests were aware of her vow, and hence by divine inspiration selected St. Joseph as the guardian and protector of the Virgin’s purity. The Blessed Virgin, assured and enlightened by a clear revelation from the Almighty, that her vow of chastity would be respected, obeyed the counsels of the priests, and consented to the holy alliance with St. Joseph. This holy alliance had been celebrated on the 8th day of September, that is, over six months before the Incarnation of the Eternal Word; St. Joseph is said, like his holy spouse, to have made a vow of perpetual chastity at the age of twelve years. …

The age of our holy Patriarch, at the time of his holy Espousal with Mary Immaculate, is disputed among the early Fathers, as well as among modern critics. … The high and noble destiny of St. Joseph was to be the guardian of the Blessed Virgin; to be her help and companion in the long and fatiguing journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, before the Birth of our Blessed Saviour; to be the support of Mary and the Divine Infant in the flight into Egypt; and more still, for years in Egypt a strange land, without a friend, as well as at home in Nazareth, to maintain by the labor of his hands the Mother and the Child. Such being the heavenly appointed mission of St. Joseph, we may well conclude that his age and strength were suited to the duties of his mission, thus verifying the prophesy of Isaias, “A young man shall dwell with a virgin.” … The Venerable Maria of Jesus of Agreda thus describes the above event: “St. Joseph was then thirty-three years of age, well-made, and possessed of an agreeable countenance, which expressed an incomparable modesty. He was, indeed, as chaste in his thoughts and deeds as in his inclinations; and having made a vow of chastity when but twelve years of age, his life was pure and holy before God and man.” …

++++++++++++++++++++

THE LOWLY LIFE AND BITTER PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST Vol 1 by Anne Catherine Emmerich

There were seven other virgins who were with Mary to be dismissed from the Temple and given in marriage… The priest prayed sitting before a roll of writings, and in vision his hand was placed upon that verse in the Prophet Isaias (11:1) in which it is written that there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse and a flower shall rise up out of his root. Thereupon I saw that all the unmarried men in the country of the House of David were summoned to the Temple… Then the high priest gave to each of the suitors a branch which was to be held in the hand during the offering of prayer and sacrifice. After that, all the branches were laid in the Holy of Holies with the understanding that he whose branch should blossom, was to be Mary’s husband. Now when that youth who so ardently desired to wed Mary found that his branch, along with all the others, had failed to blossom, he retired to a hall outside the Temple and, with arms raised to God, wept bitterly. The other suitors left the Temple…

I saw the priests, after this, hunting through different rolls of writing in their search for another descendant of the House of David, one that had not presented himself among the suitors for Mary’s hand. And there they found that, among the six brothers of Bethlehem, one was unknown and ignored. They sought him out and so discovered Joseph’s retreat, six miles from Jerusalem, near Samaria. …  He was told to go up to the Temple. He went, accordingly, arrayed in his best. A branch was given him. As he was about to lay it upon the altar, it blossomed on top into a white flower like a lily. At the same time, I saw a light like the Holy Spirit hovering over him. He was then led to Mary, who was in her chamber, and she accepted him as her spouse.

The marriage feast lasted seven or eight days. The women and the virgins, companions of Mary in the Temple, were present, also many relatives of Joachim and Anne, and two daughters from Gophna. … After the marriage, Joseph went to Bethlehem on some business, and Mary with twelve or fifteen women and maidens went to Anne’s house near Nazareth. They made the journey on foot. When Joseph returned, I saw at Anne’s house a feast at which, besides the usual household, there were about six guests and several children present. … I afterward saw Joseph and Mary in the house of Nazareth. Joseph had a separate apartment in the front of the house, a three-cornered chamber this side of the kitchen. Both Mary and Joseph were timid and reserved in each other’s presence. They were very quiet and prayerful.

++++++++++++++++++++

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] Moreover, you ought to know for very certain that before Joseph betrothed me, he understood, in the Holy Spirit, that I had vowed my virginity to God and that I was immaculate in thought, word, and deed. He betrothed me with the intention that he might serve me, treating me as his lady, not as his wife. I too in the Holy Spirit knew for very certain that my virginity would remain forever unharmed even though, as a result of God’s hidden plan, I was being betrothed to a husband.

Most people think of Mary or Jesus whenever they hear the word “apparition,” but there were several times when St. Joseph appeared as well, either alone or as part of the Holy Family.  He appeared to a saint as early as the 13th century, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that he began to show up more often.  Many saints and the Church have taught that St. Joseph is the most powerful saint in heaven, second only to Our Blessed Mother, and these appearances seem to confirm that.

Cotignac, France (1660)

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/saint-joseph-s-little-known-appearance-in-france

Our Lady of Knock (1879)

This silent apparition in Knock, Ireland was seen by 15 witnesses, and it showed a tableau of Mary, St. Joseph and St. John standing next to an altar with a Lamb (Jesus) standing on it.  A good explanation of the meaning behind this scene can be found here: https://ewtn.co.uk/article-marys-major-message-in-the-silent-apparition-at-knock/

Our Lady of Fatima (1917)

At some point during the Miracle of the Sun on October 17, 1917 at Fatima, Portugal, the seers “beheld St. Joseph with the Child Jesus and Our Lady robed in white with a blue mantle, beside the sun. St. Joseph and the Child Jesus seemed to bless the world, for they traced the Sign of the Cross with their hands.”

Our Lady of Zeitoun (1968-71)

Supposedly, Zeitoun is one of the locations where the Holy Family stopped on their flight to Egypt, and nineteen centuries later, Our Lady appeared over the course of 3 years on top of St. Mary’s Coptic Church (see https://zeitun-eg.org/zeitoun1.htm for more information).  All of her appearances were silent but were witnessed by millions of people and even caught on camera.  Sometimes the witnesses would see her with either the infant or 12-year old Jesus, and at least once with St. Joseph.

++++++++++

In addition to apparitions, there have been a number of saints and Catholic mystics who have received revelations from or about St. Joseph and the Holy Family:

St. Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)

St. Gertrude was a German Benedictine nun who was one of the great mystics of the 13th century.  She had her first mystical experience when she was 25, received the stigmata two years later, and had a number of visions and minor miracles.  In one of her visions on the Solemnity of the Annunciation, she wrote: “I saw Heaven opened and St. Joseph sitting upon a magnificent throne. I felt myself wonderfully affected when, each time his name was mentioned, all the Saints made a profound inclination toward him, showing by the serenity and sweetness of their looks that they rejoiced with him on account of his exalted dignity.”

St. Teresa of Avila (1515-82)

St. Teresa was extremely devoted to St. Joseph, and even named all of her monasteries after him.  In her autobiography, she describes a time when St. Joseph actually appeared to her: “Once, when I was in a difficulty and could not think what to do, or how I was going to pay some workmen, Saint Joseph, my true father and lord, appeared to me and gave me to understand that money would not be lacking and I must make all the necessary arrangements. I did so, though I had not a farthing, and the Lord, in ways which amazed people when they heard of them, provided the money.”

St. Junipero Serra (1713-84)

St. Junipero Serra maintained a strong devotion to St. Joseph throughout his life, and would even offer a Mass every Wednesday to St. Joseph.  In fact, there were times when he was trying to establish a series of missions in California and would find himself facing extreme fatigue, severe shortage of food and supplies, and even inclement weather.  Each time, though, he and his companion(s) were miraculously relieved by strangers whom St. Serra believed was St. Joseph himself coming down to help him.  At one point, he claims that St. Joseph returned with all the member of the Holy Family in order to help him find much-needed lodging for that night.

St. Maria Faustina (1905-38)

St. Faustina is best known for her visions and revelations of Jesus as the Divine Mercy, but there were times when she also saw and conversed with our Blessed Mother Mary.  However, in her Diary, she relates four times that she saw St. Joseph.

February 2, 1936:  “When Mass began, a wonderful silence and joy filled my heart. Just then I saw Our Lady with the Child Jesus and St. Joseph standing behind them. The Blessed Mother said to me: ‘Take my dearest Treasure …’ and handed me the Child Jesus. When I took the Infant Jesus in my arms, Our Lady and St. Joseph disappeared. I was left alone with the Child Jesus.”

December 25, 1936:  “During the Midnight Mass, God’s presence pierced me to the core. Moments before the Elevation (of the Host) I saw the Mother of God, the infant Jesus and the good man St. Joseph.”

July 30, 1937:  “Saint Joseph demanded that I have a constant devotion to him. He himself told me to say three prayers [the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be] and the Memorare once every day. He looked at me with great kindness and gave me to know how much he supported this work. He promised me his special help and protection. I recite these requested prayers daily and feel his special protection.”

December 25, 1937:  “When I came to the Midnight Mass, immediately at the beginning of the Mass, I plunged myself into deep recollection, in which I saw the Nativity scene of Bethlehem filled with great brightness. The Blessed Virgin was wrapping Jesus in swaddling clothes, immersed in great love, but St. Joseph was still asleep. Only when Our Lady laid Jesus in the manger, at that moment did God’s brightness wake Joseph, who was also praying.”

++++++++++

In addition to the apparitions and saints listed above, there have been other Catholic mystics who have received revelations concerning details about Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and their life together as a Holy Family.  The most prominent of these mystics are St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373), Venerable Marina de Escobar (1554–1653), Venerable Mary of Agreda (1602–1665), Servant of God Maria Beij (1694–1766), Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774–1824), and Therese Neumann (1898-1962).

Of the mystics listed above, the most details come from Ven. Mary of Agreda in her book Mystical City of God and Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich in The Complete Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich.  Since these are considered private revelations, we are not bound to believe these writings as true or historical, and there may be discrepancies on some of the details.  In fact, when The Mystical City of God was first published, there were some controversies regarding it, but in 1681, Pope Innocent XI had this work studied, and then decreed that this book should be freely spread to the clergy and laity.  All of these mystics and their visions have been carefully studied by the Church, who determined that there was nothing in their writings that were contrary to the official teachings or traditions of the Church, and many popes and saints have declared them worthy of devout reading.

There have been sermons and books written by various priests (including some saints) that use some of these visions as a basis for their preaching.  One of these books – St. Joseph: His Life, His Virtues, His Privileges, His Power – was written by an Irish priest (Archdeacon Kinane) in 1884 who compiled a detailed accounting of the life of St. Joseph and the Holy Family based on teachings from Sacred Tradition, Church Fathers, other saints, and the Mystical City of God from Ven. Mary of Agreda.  Since this book is in the public domain, over the next two weeks, we will post excerpts from his book detailing events in the life of the Holy Family, as well as excerpt from the visions of Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich and the revelations to St. Bridget of Sweden.