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BiDUEB add Coxpaht, lu tb« Clerk's Office of the District Court of Uie United SUtes for the Soutbem District ol New Tort. APPROEATIOlSrS The volume which we now offer to the public, under the title of ''The Admirable Life of the Olorioua Patriarch St. Joseph," is a faithful extract, without change, modification, or alteration, taken verbatim et literatim from the celebrated production, ''The Cite Mystique;'* of Mary of Jesus of Agreda. Hence, all the approbations conferred on the latter work are applicable to this. We subjoin a sketch of these various appro- bations, of which we guarantee the authenticity, having copied them from I he acts of tl e process for the beatification and canonization of the servant of God, Maria d'Agreda. 1. Approbation of the bishop of the place where this servant of God died in the odor of sanctity, and also of that where the work was pub- lished. Bishops (as every one knows) are the judges, in the first instance, of the doctrine of the books wliich are published m places under their jurisdiction. 2. Approbation of the inquisition of Spain, who <:!xamined it, word for word, and authorized its publication and diffusion. 3. Approbation of all the religious bodies appointed to examine this work. They have bestowed unbounded praises upon it, and recommend it as a fruit of the Holy Spirit of God. 4. Approbation of the most celebrated universities, who, after a minute examination, have declared that this book contains nothing contrary to faith or morals, and who have exalted it beyond measure, as the Sover- «ign Pontiff, Benedict XIV., attests in his decree of 1748. The Univer- sity of Paris alone offers an exception, because, at that epoch, it was con- trolled by the influences of Jansenism. 5. Finally, the Roman Church, after having placed this work on the Index, August 4th, 1681, on account of the controversy which it excited, • The Mystical City of God. fiMM- ' ii w. I 1 ' LJ ;f. 4 APPROBATIONS. tfithdrew it on the 9th of November of the same year. This last decree is of Buch force, that in 1713, a bishop having prohibited the reading of it, the Holy Office declared this prohibition to be of no effect, and obliged the bishop to retract it, as being contrary to the decree of the 0th of November, 1681, of Innocent XI., which decree, said the Holy Congre- gation, has the force of an obligatory law tliroughout the Universal Church. Qui halit aure8, audiendi^ audiat. Alexander VIII. authorized the reading of it oraculo viva vocis. Clement IX., in 1704, prohibited its being placed on the Index. And last of all, in 1729, under Pope Benedict XHI., of holy memory, the Sacred Congregation of Rites promulgated an ample and unanimous decree, which allows this hook to he read and retained without any further examination. Hence, he who, by whatever rank, dignity, or honor ho may be invested, presumes to forbid the reading of this work, which has been approved by the Holy See, will be obliged, if required, to make » public retractation. Thus, pious reader, the cause is ended. Read the book, and study it *'' without hesitation ; for Rome, who cannot err, has spoken. Mm Thb ABBfe J. A. BOULLAN. i?k^'^^FW^rr:P^ ^ifl^ '^is^^m 15 TO TnE DlVn^ HEART OF JESUS, AND TO MARY IMMACULATE. O Jesus I Son of the Eternal Father I Divine Redeemer of our souls, whom TIiou hast redeemed by the effusion of Tliy precious blood ! Tliou hast deigned, during Tliy mortal life, to call by the sweet name of father, the glorious St. Joseph, and Tliou hast chosen to be named by men the son of Joseph. Word of God ! Master of eternal wisdom I to wliom, unless it be to Thy Sacred Heart, can I more worthily make tlie offering of this little book, ir» honor of the incomparable Patriarch? Deign, I implore Thee, to bless it, and its author. All unworthy and miserable as I am, I beseech Thee tliat this life of Thine adopted father may bear fruits of grace to many souls— that it may become a blessing to the dwellings which receive it—that the sinner may be converted, and the just encouraged to become holy, by meditating upon it. O Sacred Heart of Jesus I vouchsafe to grant that grace, and these favors, in mem- v,ry of Tliy complaisance in the fidelity and love of Thy glorious servant. Saint Joseph 1 Mother of Jesus I Immaculate Virgin ! Spouse of St. Joseph, thou who hast deigned to communicate to us by means of thy beloved daugh ter, Mary of Agreda, all that forms the subject of this volume, disdain not. Queen of Mercy, to bless it. I place it in thy hands. Thou knowest, that, overwhelmed by the weight of my miseries, I have had recourse to thy glorious spouse, whom thou hast permitted me to call my father ; and that in acknowledgment of his miraculous benefits, I have applied myself, by thy consent, to this work. May this Life serve as an instru- ment to augment the devotion to St. Joseph among the children of the I m W i%\ iisfcf '■ ^^ CJ s- 'r^y. 6 A PBAYKIl TO JESUS AND MAKT. Church. Thou hast warned us, O Mother of Pity, that the damned will weep bitterly for not having kiwwn this means, so powerful and to effi- cacUniSy for their salvation, and for not having availed themselves of it. {Book v., ch. XVI.) May those who yet live on earth, know and profit by it, to forsake the ways of sin, and to recover the grace of the just. Worthy father of the Queen of Heaven, St. Joachim, you whom the bloBscd Mother, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, have given me for my patron in the new vocation to which I have been so freely predestined ind called, deign to present the humble offering of my book to the great I'tvtriarch St. Joseph, and obtain for me, by your eflScacious intercession, thai I may be worthy to persevere to the end in the way which his medi- ation with Jesus and Mary has opened for me. Jesus! Marv! Joseph I all hail I T>v '1 J I! LIFE OF RT JOrtKPir. [CIIAP. 1. Y ^^«rt«> CrvJvV) ■li^M y>-rc tS: upon wliich the Lord Imd (Ifcliinjd His good plensure, they onght to consult Ilia holy will l>y praying, thut Ho would nmnifest, by n sign, liini who should bo the huslmnd of Mary, and that he should be of the house and lineage of David, that the law might be ful- lilh'd. Tliey therefore resolved to appoint n day when all the young men of that family, present in Jerusalem, should be invited to nasemble in the T.-mple. It was precisely the day on which our blessed Lady had attained her fourteenth year. The Priest Simeon summoned the chaste Mary, in order to make known to her this resolution. It wj\s nine days before that on which their designs were to be i)ut into execution. During this time the most blessed Vi-^in redoubled her prayers, her teai-s, ond sighs, tbr the accomplishment of the will of God in nn event which caused her the greatest pain. The Lord consoled her, say- ing: "I will give you a spouse who will not oppose your holy desires, but who will rather, by the help of my grace, confii a them I will choose him for you peifect, and according to my own heart, and I will elect him for you from among my servants." The holy angels also consoled her, saying : " The Most High will guide you in the way which is the best, the most perfect, the most holy." Joseph was born at Nazareth ; nevertheless, by the disposition of the Most High, he had come to dwell in Jerusalem, because of certain reverses of fortune, which resulted bo favorably for hira that he had the happiness to become the spouse of her whom God had chosen to be His own Mother, under the circumstances that we are about to relate. The day appointed by the priests arrived. Our blessed Lady had completed the fourteenth year of her age. The young men of the tribe of Judah, and of the family of David, from whom the august Mary was descended, who were in the city of Jerusalem, were assembled. Joseph, originally of Nazareth, but now an inhabitant of the holy city, was invited to be with them, because he, too, was of that royal race. He was then thirty-three years of age, well-made, and possessed of an agreeable physiognomy, which expressed an incomparable modesty. He was indeed as chaste in his thoughts and deeds, as in his inclinations ; and having made a \i fri CiM^i Hg^^ 'r-TJ^i^ vL m (^ VIA IV' 1 1 :i CHAP. I.] LIKE OF ST. JOSKVII. VOW of hostity when but twelve yeni-H old, his lif,, wiw pure niwl inep.. chahle hefore Oocl and luun. IIo wiw related to th« Virgin Mary in the third degree. Inspired by the Most High, the chief-priest pkeed in the hands of each of thene young ukmi a dry rod, in order that by tliis rneiuiM flic Lord should inaiiifest him whom He had choHen to be the hu* l)iind of Mary All united their prayero to those of the priests, for none were ignorant of the virtues and modesty of this holy maiden, nor of the reputation of her beauty, and her possessions, ns an only child ; and each desired to make her his wife. Joseph alone, the most humble, the most pious among them, deemed him- self unworthy of so great a boon ; and, calling to mind his vow of chastity, he lesolved anew to observe it, resigning himself to the divine will even to the end of his life. But this did not i)revent him from entertaining for the virtuous maiden veneration and esteem beyond any of his compeeiu All were engaged in prayer, when they saw blossoms buret forth from the rod borne by Joseph, and at the same instant a beautiful dove was seen to descend, which alighted on the head of the saint. The Lord, at the same moment, spoke to him interiorly, and said : ! " Joseph, my servant, Mary shall become your spouse, receive her with assiduity and respect, for she is very agreeable in my eyes; she is good and most pure in body and mind, and you will d6 all that she will tell you." The priests, upon this sign from heaven, determined to give St. Joseph to Mary for her husband. They then called for her, who was more excellent than the sun, more beautiful than the moon, and she appeared with a majesty more than angelic; with a loveliness, modesty, and grace incomparable; and the priests espoused her to Joseph, the most chaste and the^^ most holy of men. The august Mary, with mingled modesty and tenderness, took leave of the priests and of her mistress,— asking pardon of her companions, and expressing her grateful sense of all the kindness she had received from them; then, accompanied by many of the most distinguished ministei-s of the Temple, she depart- \ ed with her saintly spouse for Nazai-eth, the country of the newly I mai-ried pair, where lay the possessions of the blessed parents ot i our sweet Lady. M :L'< VJ 'ii :l i. yW mm i-f;|frm»-- tVX^i T&' 10 LIFE OK ST. JOSEPH. [chap. I. M r^:^ M m. M On tlieir an-ival they were received and visited by all their relatives and friends, with the usual rejoicings on similar occasions ; and having i-eligiousiy acquitted tliemselves of all those duties which custom commanded in their intercoui'se with the world, our holy spouses at length found tliemselves alone in their house. It was a custom among the Jews, that the newly espoused, during the first days of their union, should study together their natui'al inclinations, in order to promote their future peace. On one of these days, St. Joseph said to his spouse Mary : " 1 give thanks to the Most High God for having granted me the favor to choose me for your husband, when I did not in the least merit this honor, and when I believed myself unwoi-thy to bear you company. But His Divine Majesty, who can, when He will, uplift the poor, has shown His mercy towards me. I desire that you will aid me with your goodness and your virtues in offering (Jj^ Him my thanksgivings. In all that regards His service, I will be your servant. I pray you to supply my deficiencies in those qual- ities which I have not, but which, as your husband, I ought to possess. Only . jake your wishes known to me, that I may fulfil them." His most holy consort repl* \ to the saint ; " I am well pleased that the Most High, having destined me for marriage, has had the goodness to choose you for my husband and my master, and, with your permission, I will now express the thoughts and intentions which 1 wish to impart to you on this subject." The prevenient grace of the Most High inflamed anew the heart of St. Joseph with His divine lov3. " Speak," he said, " for thy servant heareth." The Queen of the univei-se was attended by her thousand angels; for the most pnre Mary comprehended the respect and attention to be observed in conveijation with lier spouse ; and that sue might have more abundant grace and meritf*, the Loi'd had continued in her the reserve and fear that she had in speaking alone with a man, which liad never before hapjiened to her, excent it might be in some casuitl encounter with the chief- priest. The august Virgin tlien said to St, Joseph : " It is just that we offer thanks, and give glory and praise to our God and Creator, who has made His jnercy to shine u?)on us, in choosing us for Ilia CHAP. I.] LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH. 11 service. In my most tender youth, T consecrated myself to God by a vow which I made, to be, during all my life, chaste ir body and ramd, and my desire to preserve my faith to Him is unchanffe- able. I trust that you will help me to fulfil this vow, and in all things else I will oe your servant. Accept, my husband, this holy resolution, and confirm it by your own, so that we may obtain the eternal joys for which we ixspire." The chaste Joseph, filled with j<,y, replied: «In declaring to me your chaste thoughts and holy resolutions, you have penetrated and opened my heart, which, until you had revealed your own I wa. unwilling to uncover. The Lord called me, also, at an early age, that I should love Him with an upright mind. Know, then that m my twelfth year I, too, made a promise to serve God in' perpetual chastity. I now renew this vow, and, v. >] His grace 1 will be your faithful servant, and I pray you to receive my chas'te aitections, and to regard me as your brother." During this conversation the Most High confirmed anew in the heart ot St. Joseph the virtue of chastity, and the pure and holy love which he should bear to the blessed Virgin, his spouse. Thug he was possessed by this love in an eminent degree, and our august Queen augmented it, and enraptured his heart by her conversation. By t.-is divine assistance the holy spouses enjoyed inexpressible cronsolation. The august Queen promised to second the desires of St. Joseph, and the Most High imbued him with such an exalted purity, and such an absolute control of his passions, that he served his consort without obstacle, and with a grace as admirable as it was extraordinary. In serving her, he followed the -vill and the good pleasure of the Lord. They made a division of the effects which St. Joachim -ml St Anne had left to their blessed child. One part was offered to tho Temple, where she had been educated ; the second was devoted to the service of the poor; and the third was placed at the disposal of St. Joseph. For herself, our Queen reserved only the care to serve and employ hei-self within the house, for she dispensed herself always from the affairs of !)uyiiig and selling. In his youth St. Joseph "ha.i learned the carpenter's trade, aa being one of the most useful to gain a livelihood, for he was with- ^.4 Ts- iS^i i>i.. .«klit3al, so eminent a benediction, that among all the chddren of Adam it can be said of thee alcne, that God has been so entirely thine that He was taken for thy Soa ? The eternal Father gives thee His daughter; the Son places His own Mother in thy charge; the Holy Spirit confides to thee His spouse, and places thee in His stead, and the Holy Trinity gives thee His elect His only one, for thy lawful spouse. Great saint, dost thou then comprehend all thy dignity? Dost thou fathom all thy greatness? Dost thoa know that she whom thou hast just received as thy wife IS Queen and Mistress of heaven and earth, and that thou ait the depositary of the inestimable treasures of God himself? Behold, O man of God, the precious pledge thou hast, and know that if thou dost not render the angels and the seraphim envious, thy happiness and the wonderful mystery of thine espousals excite their wonder' ing admiration. For such joys and favoi-s leceive congratulations in the name of the whole human race. For thou art the spouse of her who has only God above her. Thou shalt be powerful and happy among men and angels. Be mindful of our poverty and wretchedness, and of me, miserable worm of the earth, for I desire to be thy faithful servant, and to be enriched and favored by thy ])owerful protection. ims^ h. ^rp^t!^ 14 I,TFE OF ST. JOSEPH. m.) mm M ^■---'gfc?> [chap. n. Y Vv ^^^Jl % husband replied: "I confide as I ought in your groat virtue, be- cause I know that your well-regulated will would undertake nothing which is not for the greater glory of God, as this journey must be. And that no one may be surprised to see you go without your hus- band, I will, with the greatest pleasure, accompany and serve you. Determine, then, the day of departure." The blessed Virgin thanked her prudent spouse for the aft'ection which he manifested for her, and they decided to set out imme- diately for the house of Elizabeth. St. Joseph prepared provisions for the journey,— some fruit, bread, and a tew small fishes, which he purchased. He had also a little beast of burden, which was lent him to carry his provisions, and his spouse, the Queen of all that is created. With this equipage they set out for Judea. They had scarcely left their house, when our Queen, kneeling before St. Joseph, asked his blessing, in order to begin the day in the name of the Lord. The saint hesitated, for, by long experience, he knew the excellence of his spouse, but the holy and sweet importunities of the august Mary conquered, and he blessed her in the name of the Most High. ''At that tlme^' saith the sacred text, ''Mm-y, rmng up, went into the hill cmntry ^oith Jimte, info a city of Judea:' Now the chaste spouses, Mary and Joseph, having left their father's house, and for- gotten their people, took their way towards the house of Zachariah, among the hills of Judea, distant twenty-seven leagues from Naza- reth. The roads were rough, and they possessed no means of trans- port except such as wei-e afforded by their little animal ; neverthe- less the most humble and modest of creatures, Mary, prayed St. Joseph to use it for himself. The discreet spouse would not, by any means, consent to this; but in complaisance, he allowed her from time to time to go on foot with him, requesting her with great respect not to refuse him this gratification ; and the Queen of heaven obeyed. They continued their journey iu these humble debates, and thus they so well employed their time, that there was not a moment which was not filled by some act of virtue. They walked alone, but the angels assisted them in all things ; yet they were visible only to the august Mary. Occasionally she conversed with these CHAP. II.] LIFE OF 8T. JOSEPn. 17 nngel«, and the moat pure heart of our sweet Lady was kindled anew with divine love. St. Joseph contributed to all this by his discreet silence, concentrating his thoughts within, and yieldii.o- himself to sublime contemplations. At other times the spouse^s convei-sed together upon many things regarding the salvation of their souls, the coming of the Messiah, the prophecies which the ancient fathers had i-eceived ou this point, and other mysteries and secrets of the Most Hisrh. During this journey there happened to St. Joseph something which excited his Avouder. Inspired by a special grace, he bore to his spouse a most tender and holy love, and the saint, being of a noble nature, amiable, agreeable, and obliging, was inclined to an ever watchful care for her. Now, as the Queen of heaven carried in her virginal bosom the Incarnate Word, the saint was sensible that, through the words and conversation of his spouse, new im pressions were made upon his soul, but of the cause he was igno- rant. He found himself more and more inflamed by divine love and in a higher knowledge of those mysteries which formed the subjects of their conversation ; and the further they advanced on their way and in their discussions, the more these favors were augmented. He felt also that the words of his spouse served as the organ, by means of which these favors were communicated to him. It wjis not possible that the discreet St. Joseph should not reflect upon this new and wonderful influence. Bift although it would have aflfbrded him, filled as he was with wonder, the greatest grati- fication, without curiosity, to have been informed of the cause of it, his inodesty was such that he could not venture to ask to be en- lightened. Our blessed Lady penetrated the thought of her spouse, but, ig- norant of the way by which God would conduct this mystery, her great pi-udence and her own discretion taught her, although she had no command from the Lord to conct'al it, how good it was to guard the seci-et of the most sublime of all mysteiies. She therefore con- cealed it, without making it known to her spouse, either on this occasion, or aftei'wards, duiing the interior pains which St. Jo- seph suffered on this account. What admirable prudence ! Our sweet Lady prayed to God for the saint, imploring the divine aa- >py. y .-» fmi cr^ J r!^ i :r rr-v^ m^. sistanco, of which she foresaw he would have need, and of which we sliall treat in the following chapter. This was the first joui-ney which the Incarnate Word made in this world, fonr days after his entrance into it. Our ble,ssed Lady thus served as a car for the true Solomon (Cant. iii. 9). This jouraey lasted four days, during which our holy travellei-s, besides those interior virtues which have God for their object, performed many acts of charity towards their neighbors. The blessed Vii-gin cuied, among othei-s, a poor sick gii'l, in a village through which she passed, on the first day of her departure. At length the august Mary and her spouse, Joseph, arrived at the city of Judea, which was then inhabited by Elizabeth and Zach- ariah. This city was distant, as I have said, twenty-seven leagues from Nazareth, Pnd about two leagues from Jerusalem, near the spot where the torrent of Sorec has its source. It was afterwards entirely ruined, but the Lord does not permit the memory of places so venerable to be altogether lost. Tlie Visitation was made at the same iilace whore these divine mysteries are now honored by the faithful who dwell in Palestine, and by pilgrims who go there to oft'er their devotions. St. Joseph went on before to give notice to the inmates of the house, and, having knocked at the door, he sainted them, saying : " May the Loi-d be with you, and fill your souls with His divine grace." St. Elizabeth had been already warned of their coming, for the same Lord had revealed -to her that her cousin Mary of Nazareth was on 1.. r way to visit her. Now, having heard of her arrival, she came forth quickly, with others of her family, to receive the holy Virgin, who saluted her first, saying: ''The Lord he with you, my dear condnr ''And rmy the same Lord:' replied Eliza- beth, " reward you for having taken the trouI>le to give me this con- iolationr The two cousins having retired together, it was then that the great mystery of the sanctification of John the Baptist was operated; but those facts do not belong to this history. Coming out of their retreat in the dusk of the evening, St. Elizabeth, who was informed of the happiness of the chaste St. Joseph, of which he was himself Ignorant, bestowed upon him every mark of esteem and veneration. % M i OF ST. JOSEPH 19 After tlio saint had passed three dayg in the house of Zuchariah be tisked permission of his blessed spouse to return to Nazareth' He took leave, with the promise to come and conduct our sweet Lady home when she wished to return. St. Elizabeth offered him presents, praying him to accept them, but he received only a few things, because this man of God was not only a lover of poverty, but he had also a magnanimous and generous heart. He then took the road to Nazareth with the little beast that he had boirowed. Having arrived at his house, he was served there, in the absence of his spouse, by a relative who lived near,— the same who had been accustomed to bring them supplies from without, when the holy Lady was there. After having passed three months, less two days,* in the house of Ziichariah, in the midst of events and prodigies which do not be- long to this history,f the august Mary thought of departure. St. Joseph, having been notified by St. Elizabeth, left Nazareth to re- conduct his spouse to her home. On his arrival at the house of Zachariah, he was received with the highest marks of respect, for the holy priest already knew that the great patriarch was the de- positary of the mysteries and the treasures of heaven. The blessed Virgin received him with discreet demonstrations of joy, and having placed herself on her knees before him, according to her custom, she asked his benediction. After he had taken some repose, they fixed on the day of departure. Having taken their leave, the happy patriarch, rejoiced to possess his trejisure again, although he knew not as yet its full value, set out for Nazareth. The blessed Virgin, as usual, asked his blessing, and, pursuing their way, in four days they reached their place of destination. During their i-oute, the same effects attended their divine colloquies as those which have been ali-eady indicated. The discreet Mary perceived that she could not long conceal hei condition from her chaste and faithful spouse. But the Lord guided * In counting eight days afti;r tlie Word was incarnate, the holy Virgin and St, Joseph arrived the second of April, towards evening, at the house of Zacliariah. If wo add three months, less two days, which should commence the third of April, we come to the fust of July inclusively, which is the eighth day after the birth of JoLn the Uaptist, and tliat of his circumcision. t All these deUils will be found iu the Cite Mystique of Maria d'Agreda. fe$W8:tf m Y I'., i r^J HI i?'i' (1|\#^ ^^ Lll'E OF ST. JOSEPH. [chap, il oi^ Y w \ri ;crf w V^:}r^-K, '.%. a^ nil by nieims the most conaucive to His glory, and to obtain meritJi for St. Josei.h ami the Virgin Mother. For thi^ reason He did not make known to them His good pleasure. On their journey, the august Queen met with a woman who had once been virtuous, but who, tempted by the devil, was led into sin, and afterwards | possessed by him. As soon as our blessed Lady saw her, she dis- covei-ed her malady, and, using her queenly power, commanded the evil spirit to depai-t from the woman, and, having delivered her from the consequences of her sin, she obtained for her the gift of peweverance. Our holy travellera arrived one day at an hostelry, the master of which was of a vicious disposition, and led a disorderly life. The Lord ordained, as the preparation for his coming happiness, that he should receive the august Maiy and St. Joseph with marks of benevolence and consideration. He bestowed attentions and rendered them services beyond those he was accustomed to offer to other strangers. Our Queen, who knew the depraved state of his conscience, offered prayei-s for her host, and procured the justifica- tion of his soul, and the amendment of his life. At length they reached Nazareth, when the Qu.jn of heaven, assisted by the holy angels, put her hous»> in order. St. Joseph occupied himself, as usual, for the subsistence of our Lady, and she did nothing to damp the hopes of her spouse. After her return home, Lucifer tempted the august Mary in every way, but he was vanquished with all his infernal legions, and piecipitated into the depths of hell. While the Lord had permitted Lucifer to show himself, this enemy had contiived to sow discord among the neigh- bors of St. Joseph. They came togethei', and, having called for the innocent Mary, they accused her in the presence of her husband, and in the bittei-est terms, of troubling the peace of their families. This reproach was keenly felt ])y our Queen, because of the pain whiJi it caused to her spouse, for he had begun to remark some- thing of her condition ; and already suffered anxiety and trouble on this account, as we shall see in the following chapter. Now, the deiTion, ignorant of the real cause of this trouble, strove to plant tlu' seeds of discontent within the bosom of St. Joseph, so as to make him impatient of his poverty ; representing to him at the ■^n! \l I i!iiAP. n.] LIVK OF ST. JOSEPH. 21 minfi time that his spouse Mary remained too long in ],(.,• retreat an.l devotions, and t!mt slie was idle. But St. Joseph being of an upright and magnanimous heart, and of great perfection, despised these diabolical inventions, and utterly rejected them. Besides his internal suffering regarding the sta'.i of his spouse, occupied him so exclusively, that it obliged him to forget every other. The Lord delivered him fi-om this temptation by the intercession of the holy Virgin, leaving only that of which we are about to speak in the following chapter. m 'if^.H'^ i. N \ >sr :af' m yk ■ t** )^M '^. 'iiji\n «r^ I! LIl'K or ST. JO^KPII, [chap. m. hti it i CHAPTER III. «T. joHRrn niscovKiis that maky is aiiout to ukcumk a uotiikr, without IIKIXO AIILK TO I'KNICrilATK THK MYSTKUi'. HB KNDUllKH GRKAT SUKKKIUNOfl ON THIH ACCOUNT. It wfts nhout five months since the eternal Word had become incarnate in the chaHte bosc.m of the Viigin Mary, when St. Josepli began to observe indications of it, and to entertain suspicions. It wius the more aj^parent, because the proportions of her pure form were so perfect, that the least change was perceptible. Det'ply concerned and an.vious, St. Joseph, as he one day observed her coming forth fi-om hei- oratory, j)erceived that it was no longer pos- sible to doubt the testimony of his own eyes. The heart of the man of God was penetrated with profound sorrow, and he was unable to resist the harrowing reflections that tormented his 8])irit. It may not be without utility or interest to notice some of these reflections, which increased the violence of his great affliction. In the fii'st j)lace, he entertained a most chaste and sincere love for his faithful spouse, to whom, since the commencement of their union, he had devoted all the tenderness of his heart. Besides, his desire to scive her was augmented from day to day by the unequalled liolin^'ss and attractive mannei-s of our blessed Lady. Our saint therefore, was impelled, by a desire natural to his love, to find a response to it on her part. The Lord so ordered it, that, from this same desire, the holy Joseph was still more careful to serve and respect our blessed mistress. Thus St. Joseph fulfilled with gi-eat zeal his obligations as a most faithful husband and guai-dian of the mystery which, as yet, was hidden fi-om him. But the more assiduous he was to serve, h: honor his spouse while bearing for her a love, so pure, ■ Im:'.^, LcJy, and just, the more eager wa.s his desiie that she should reciprocate his afi'ection. Nevertheless he did not disclose +1ms internal conflict; eithei' because of the respect produced by the humble majesty of h)? snousa, or because in witnessing the discreet deportment of i w ,^ CHAP. III.J LIKE OF 8T. .TOflKPII. 2» Mary-hor hw^h c,.nro,-He, nn.l her ,„ore tlmn niigdic puritv-tho n-vrlatio!, w.HiM li-ive been too painful. At, f l.e view of wlmt wan become ho evi.lent, l.e was lo«t in amaze, menf hf,ll (),o,,.l, ..onvinee.!, I.e ^ynnh\ n,.t allow his imnmnatio, to go beyon.l appearances. Hei„. « J„st nn.l holy man, an,l Heei.u^ th« fact he 8„spen.le.l his ju.lgment without, entering, int., th. cause. What an exan.ple f.,r „m! It is m.,.st ,,robable that if ho h«prehension gave him great pain Be- Hules, he considered, with rare pru.lence, the affliction .^hich their own .nfamy would bring npo„ them if the matter o.me to be divulged. Rut that which cause.1 the greatest grief of all to the holy spouse was he fear that his wife would be stoned, accor.ling to the law wh.ch ordered this punishment; for he coul.l not make himself an aocc.n.plice to hide the crime, if it existed. AH these considerations p.erco.l the heart of St. Joseph with the deepest grief, in which he foun.l no conso]ati.)n except in the irreproachable conduct of his spouse. Still, on the oth.-r hand, though appearances convinced him, he could neither find means of excuse, nor even dare to com- municate the subject of his grief to any human being. Our saint was then like one environed by the sorrows of death, and he felt the force of the words, ''Jealousy is as cruel as helV He would have sought some alleviation for his pains in spiritual consolation, but grief suspended the powers of his s.)ul If his leason inclined to follow the suspicions suggested by his senses, the reflections that he made on the trie.l h..liness of his mast wise and l)rudent spouse caused them to vanish like ice in the heat of the su„ or smoke bef.,re the win.l. If he strove to check the affections of lus chaste love, it was impossible, since he found his spouse always more worthy of being loved. An.l although the truth was concealed from him, she ha.l more power to attract, than the seem- ing deception of her infidelity to repel him. The sacred ties of \XTX:^C^ It i.jt i y^'i love could not Le rent asunder, because they reposed on the solid foundations of truth, reason, and justice. Our saint did not then judge it expedient to declare his grief to his blessed spouse, added to this, the gravity, ever equal and divinely humble, which he saw in her, did not pei-mit him to take this liberty ; for, although he saw marks so unequivocal, a conduct so pure and holy as hers could ill accord with infidelity. Such a f'lult could not in any manner be compatible with so much purity, holiness, and discretion ; nor with that assemblage of graces whose growth was each day more visible in the august Mary. In these perplexities the saintly husband addressed himself to God in prayer. Placing himself in His presence, "Eternal God and my Lord," lie said, " my desires and my groaniiigs are not hid- den from Thy divine Majesty. I find myself struggling with vio- lent agitations, I have given my heart to the spouse whom I received from Thy hands, I have trusted in her purity, but the strange ap- pearances wh.ich I discover in her cast me into the most afflicting pei-plexity. It would be rash to think that she had been unfivith- ful and had oflt'ended Tliee, seeing in her such gi-eat purity and so eminent a holiness. It is, nevertheless, impossible to deny the evidence of my senses, and sorrow must destroy me unless there be here some mystery that I have not discovered. Reason exculpates, but the senses condemn her. I see plainly that she conceals from me the cause of her condition. What shall I do? I suspend my judgment, ignorant of the cause of what I see. Receive, O God of Abi-aham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, my sighs and ray tears, as an ac- ^ cepta1)le sacrifice. I cannot believe that Mary has offended Thee ; ^^ but, Ix^ing her husband, I cannot presume the existence of any mystery of which I can be unworthy.'" Saint Joseph pei-seveied in his supplications and united with A them many other affections and prayei's. He thought there must ■ { be in all this some mystery, but his humility hindered him from \ bein.f assured on this point. K\\ the reasons that presented them- selves in favor cf the holiness of oui- niosit sweet Lady, contributed only to persuade him that she had committed no fault. At the same time the saint never thought of her being the mother of the Messiah, for he could not have ])elieved himself woi'thy to ])e her spouse. % if CHAP. III.] LIFE OF ST. JOSKPH. 2.*) Sometimes lie suspended his suspicions; at others appearances augmented them. Sometimes he was overwhelmed by ac^itation • sometnues in an aching calm, without power to resolve or to believJ any th.nig. He could neither vanquish his doubts nor appease hi. heart, nor find that certitu.le of which he had so nmch need t., regulate his conduct and to calm his mind. And thus it was t'hat ; he sufferings of the holy Patri.irch were so cruel. They serve n< evident proofs of his incomparable pi-udence and sanctitv, and they gamed him such merits before God as to render him worthy of the favors he was about to receive. Through the knowledge and infused light which she possessed our blessed Lady saw all that passed in the breast of St. Joseph' But, though filled with tenderness and compa..sion for the suffering of her spouse, she spoke not on the subject of his pain, but con- tented herself to serve him with submission and exactitude, because It was not proper to disclose the secret of the great King, without an express command from the Lord. During this period, while he was in ignorance of the mystery of his spouse, St. Joseph thought it his duty to maintain his superior- ity, yet with great moderation. In this he imitated the ancient Patriarchs, from whom he would not degenerate, whose wives were very submissive. Although just and good, he therefore allowed himself to be served and honored by the Blessed Virgin after their espousals, preserving in all things his authority as chief, which he sweetened by his rare humility and great prudence. And he would have had cause for this if our Lady had been like other women. ^ On her part, the august Mary was most submissive and obedient to her husband, and, although she was above all, none ever equalled her in these qualities. She served her spouse with an incomparable respect and promptitude, and thus she gave opportunities to our saint, while she served him at tal)'j, or occupied hei-self in other do- mestic aftiiii-s, to observe her closely, and, to the great affliction of Ins soul, assure himself more positively of the truth. It was im- possible that in her actions the signs of her condition should not be more evident, but this did not hinder her in her tasks. She desired neither to excuse nor to justify herself, because this would not have accorded with the truth, nor with her angelical candor, \^ :^J »«*la '^^ , 7iM w< '/j^lM^- ^r ti r V ' : i" ! : ■j ; ^OP I '^ 'rSi m-l^ '■^ni % ■mm Mi^ m m d s- s'f %. :#y yft^^ '^:::^ nor with the grandt^ur and generosity of her most noble heart ; and the pains of St. Joseph found no alleviation. The Quien of heaven eould easily have alleged the truth of her irreproachable innocence — have exculpated herself, and relieved St. Joseph of his pain by disclosing the mystery, but slu; would not hazard the justification of so mysterious a truth upon her own testimony, and, with great wisdom, she abandoned herself to the divine Providence. She strove to console and please him in all things, often asking what he would have her to do. Many times she served him on her knees, and although these loving ways might in some sort console the saintly spouse, they gave him, also, additional causes of afflic- tion in considering the many motives to love and esteem her who plunged him in such perplexity. St. Joseph could not entirely conceal his grief: thus he often found himsylf pensive, sad, and thoughtful. Preoccupied by his sorrows, he sometimes spoke to his spouse with more harshness than formerly. But this was neither from indignation nor vengeance, for he had no such thought-^it was merely the effect inseparable from a wounded heart. Our most prudent Lady, on her part, changed nothing in her sweet manners ; on the contrary, she took greater pains than ever to comfort her spouse. She served him at table, or offered him a seat. Without doubt, this painful season was one of those which most exercised not only St. Joseph but our bh>ssed Lady. Our incomparable Queen offered continual suppli- cations for her spouse to the Most High, that lie would vouchsafe to regard and console him. Li order better to understand the pro- found humility and the sublime wisdom of the august Mai-y in these circumstance^., it should be undei-stood that the Lord had not commanded her to keep the secret of the mystery of the incarna- tion. He did not even disclose His will on this point with as much clearness as in other matters. It seemed that the Lord left all to the wisdom and to the divine virtues of His elected one. Thus the divine Providence gave occasion to the most pure Mary, and to her most faithful spouse, to exeirise by heroic actions, each according to thf^ir capacity, the virtues and gifts which He had allotted them. He was pleased, as one might say, to witness the faith, the hope, the love, the humility of these upright hearts in the ^p* i CHAP. III.] LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH. 27 midst of 80 poignant an affliction. The Lord seemed deaf accord- nig to our manner of speaking, for His greater glory, in order to give to the world this example of sanctity and prudence He waited until the proper time to speak was come. Let us under- stand from this the designs of God, and His secret ways with the souls whom He cherishes, and whom He would render capable to receive His favors and His gifte. We ought to use every effort and employ all our care to acquire efficaciously a true resignation to this divine Providence. If men only knew the loving care of this Father of mercy, they would l.e happy to forget themselves, and cease to plunge into cares at once burdensome, useless, and dangerous. It is of the utmost importance to the creature to let himself be guided by the hand of the Lord, because men are igno- rant of His operations, and the ends to which they are to be led by them. If God were susceptible of being touched like men, by pain or jealousy. He would suffer, in perceiving that His own creatures de- sire to seek the least thing in any other than Himself. The Lord regards the actions of men ; He corrects their ftiults with love • He foresees their desires; He protects them in danger; He fortifies them in their trials ; He assists them in their afflictions. None can resist Him, or hinder His will. He executes what He can • He can execute all that He wills, and He will give himself entirely to the just who are in His grace and confide in Him alone. Who can conceive the greatness and the nature of the gifts which He pours into hearts disposed to receive them ! Let us leave all to His providence, for the Most High will give us wliatever is most sure and necessary for our salvation. Except the pains which the august Mary endured from those which were suffered by her most holy Son, the most severe of all her life were caused by the afflictions and perplexities of St. Joseph iu the cir cumstances which we have just related. ^■J f. . J* ,m \ I f V 'd li -^ 28 LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH. [CUAP. IV, CHAPTER IV. []m Yl - THE SUSPICIONS OP ST. JOSEPH INCEEASK, AND HE KES0LVE8 TO LEAVE IllH SPOUSE — THE ANGEL OP THE LORD DECLAKES TO UIM THE MYSTERY OP THE INCARNA- TION. i/51'^^ St. Joseph endeavored to calm the painful agitation of his heart jy doing his utmost to remove the conviction of his mind i-espect- ing the condition of his wife. But the indications which became every day more visible in her holy person served only to confirm it. The furtlier our Lady advanced, the more amiable, vigorous, active, and beautiful she became ; and her invincible chai-ms at- tracted his chaste love, without entirely allaying these conflicting passions. At length all hesitation was at an end ; he could no longer entertain a doubt of the evidence. His heart wiis conformed to tlje will of God ; nevertheless, through the weakness of the flesh, his spirit was exceedingly sorrowful, and nothing remained to dis- sipate his sadness. He felt his bodily strength diminish — and, al- though no particular malady manifested itself, he grew thin, and his countenance bore the marks of deep affliction. And as he pre- served silence, not seeking consolation elsewhei-e (as men usually do), the sufferings of the saint were naturally more intense. The heart of the gentle Mary was penetrated by a sorrow not less profound ; but she resolved to redouble her cares for the health o*" her spouse. She continued to conceal the mystery which she had no command to disclose, in order to honor and to preserve the secret of the celestial King. So far as regarded he!"self, she left nothing undone to promote his comfort — enti'eating him to remind her of any thing which might contribute to restore his declining health. She besought him to repose himself, and to partake of Bome little refreshment ; for it was but right to supply the wants of the body, in order to obtain strength to labor for the Lord. St. Joseph, attentive to every movement of his spouse, and sen- sible of the holy effects of her conversation and presence, said within himself: "Is it possible that a woman so holy, in whom tha '^)i ;a CHAP. IV.] LIKE OF ST. JOSEPH. 29 Kn^ giace of God IS so perceptible, can caat me into such perplexity? What can I find to npual her, if I leave her? Where find conso- Ja .on, ,t she fad me ? But all these trouble me even less than the u.ta.ny that may result from this u,d-.ppy aftair; or that I should ^m^ cause to beheve that I have been the accomplice of a crime n I make niyself the author of her condition, it will be a falsehood unworthy of an honorable man, and opposed to my conscience and .);y reputation. In such a state of embariassment, what shall I do ? 1 he least evd that can happen is to absent myself-to leave the house." Our blessed Lady being sincerely afflicted by the resolution which her spouse had just taken, addressed herself to the an^^els o her guard: "You," she said, "who obey with promptitude a'll the commands of the Lord, listen now to my prayei.. Prevent my spouse, I conjure you, from executing this intention which he h^ ".ade to absent himself from me." The angels obeyed their Queen aud silently conveyed many holy inspirations to the heart of St' J^«eph. They persuaded him anew of the sanctity and perfection oi his spouse-that God was incomprehensible in His works, and impenetrable in His judgments, and that He was most faithful to those who trust in Him. The agitated spirit of St. Joseph was somewhat soothed by these inspirations, although he knew not from whence they came nor by what order he received them. Yet as the cause of his grief re- mamed, he always sank again into sadness, and returned to his first resolutum to deseit his spouse. Then our blessed Lady addressed herselt d.rectly to her Son whom she bore in her virginal bosom. It would not be becoming," said she, " that thy servant should be u.thout a husband who assists and shelters her from calumnies- do Ju.t permit him to e.xecute his design of abandoning me." The Most H,gh replied: "I will speedily console my servant Joseph and after 1 shall have declared to him, through my angel, the ...ystery ot wh.ch he is ignorant, you may speak with him concern- ing It. I wdl fill him with my spirit, and enable him to accomplish all that he should do in these mysteries. He shall aid and assist you under all circumstances." The august Mary comprehended how important it was that St. m^^ v\ V to i ^ pi:e^ ,,*K* li; ; }'; I > < ^'X^-£,^iJ 30 /> n^i m-T X1 1 liii ■?:;,«& LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH. [chap. IV. Ji)sej)h should have to endui'e this affliction, Ly which his spirit was exercised and pi-epared for the great charge that was to be confided to him. He had now passed two months of suffering, and, oveicome 1>y his apprehensions, he exclaimed : " I find no i-emedy for my grief but absence. I acknowledge that my spouse is per- fect, but it is not possible for me to penetrate the mystery of her condition, and I will not insult her virtue by subjecting her to the penalties of the law. I will depart forthwith." The saint resolved to set out during the night. He therefore prepared a small packet of clothing. Having received a trifling sum of money which was due to him for work, he determined to leave the house after mid- night. But as he was accustomed to meditate, he reflected on the importance of the undertaking. " Great God, of our fathers Abra- ham, Isaac, and Jacob," he exclaimed, "the sorrow which breaks my heart is not hidden from Thy divine clemency. Thou knowest, besides, O Lord (though in other things I am not free from sin), my innocence touching the subject of my grief I choose the lesser evil in quitting my s[)ouse, and go to end my days in some desert, there to abandon myself entirely to the care of Thy providence. Forsake me not, foi* I desire only what is for Thy glory." St. Josej)h prostrated himself, and made a vow to offer in the Temple of Jerusalem a part of the small sum which he had i-eserved for his journey, praying the Lord to defend his spouse from cal- umny, and preserve her from all evil. Such was the great recti- tude of this man of God, and such the esteem M'hich he preserved for our blessed Lady. After this ]>rayer, he took a little repose, intending to depart without seeing lier. Our blessed Lady, from her oratory, observed all that St. Joseph did, or proposed to do ; for the Most High revealed it to her. The divine Majesty permitted that the Blessed Virgin and her holy spouse should endure these interior sufferings, in order that, ])esides the meiits which so long a martyrdom would procure for them, the succor of the divine consolations should be to them more admirable and more i-emarkable. 'J'he august Mary practised many virtues during this period, wheieby she teaches us to hope for re- lief from the INIost High in the greatest afflictions. And what an exanijile is not that of St. Joseph ! No one had ever stronger M m 1 i J-JS i n CHAP. IV.] LIPB OP ST. JOSEPH. 31 grounds of suspicion, nor more of discretion to control liis iudirment than he. ° The passion of jeahnisy produces sharp wounds in him wlio is attacked l)y it, and no one ever felt its effects so sensibly as St Joseph, though, in fact, there was no foundation for it, if he had 1 »ut known the truth. He Avas endowed with a singular intelligence to penetrate the sanctity and the lovely character of his sp^ouse But this, m augmenting his esteem for her whom he was about to o.e, augmented his sorrow to find himself necessitated to abandon her. _ St. Joseph was not subject to the disordei-s of common jealousy in which the passions of concupiscence are engaged, which neither reason nor prudence can vanquish. The jealousy of the saint arose o.dy from the depth of his love and a conditional suspicion, viz • whether his chaste spouse reciprocated his affection ; for a pledge so dear a^ the affection of a wife must not be shared by any other When love is so well founded, the chains that cement it are very strong, and the more so because there are fewer imperfections to weaken them. There was nothing in our sweet Lady which could di.ninish the love of her spouse. On the contrary, all that she had received from grace and from nature gave him new subjects every day to strengthen his affection. After the saint had offered the prayer, of which we have already made mention, he fell asleep in this sadness, which had sunk into .Injection. He was sure that he should awake in time to depart Pt midnight, without being seen, as he thought, l>y his spouse. Our La.ly, on her part, awaited the remedy, and earnestly sought it by her humble prayers. She was consoled by an assurance that the pains of her spouse had now reached their highest degree— the hour of mercy and consolation for that sorrowing heart amid not I.-ng tarry, and her desires would soon be accomplished. And now the Lord sent the archangel Gabriel, to disclose, by a divine reve- lation to St. Joseph, while he slept, the mystery which was to be accomplished in his sponse. The archangel acquitted himself of tins embassy, appeared in a dream, as related by St. Matthew, and declared to him, in the tei-ms quoted by that evangelist, the whole mystery of the incarnation and redemption. "c 'V 1!^ i i; LIFE or ST. JOSEPH. [OHAP. IT. ^Mr m m M m\ ■r.r.i There are various reasons why the archangel spoke to St. Joseph hi a dream, and not in his waking Ijoui-s, although the mystery had been manifested to othei-s when awake. In the fii-st place, St. Joseph was so prudent and so filled with esteem for the Blessed Virgin, that stronger proofs w(M'e unnecessary to convince him of the dignity of Mary, and of the mystery of the incarnation ; for the divine inspiration penetrates easily into well-disposed hearts. In the second place, his trouble had begun with his senses, and it was but just that they should be mortified and deprived of the angelic vision, since they had permitted the entrance of illusions and sus- picions ; therefore the truth ought not to enter by their means. The third reason is, that although St. Joseph committed no sin in these circumstances, yet his senses had undoubtedly contracted a species of stain, and it was proper that the angel should fulfil his embassy at a time when these senses, which had been scandal- ized, Avere interdicted by the suspension of their operations. Be- sides these, there was the reason which should overrule all othere, that such was the will of the Lord, who is just and holy, and per- fect in all His works. St. Joseph saw not the angel through any image or form — he heard only the internal voice, and undei-stood the mystery. He heard what St. Gabriel said, " that he should not fear to remain with Mary his wife, because her condition was the work of the Holy Ghost. That she should bring forth a son, whom he should call Jesus; that lie should deliver His people from their sins; and that in this mystery would be accomplished the prophecy of Isaiah — 'A Virgin shall conceive and bring forth a son, who sliall be called Emmanuel, which means, God with us.' " We perceive from the woi'ds of the celestial ambassador, that the saint had separattnl from the pure Mary in intention, since he was commanded to receive her without fear. St. Joseph awoke, informed of the mystery which had been re- vealed to him, and instructed that his spouse was the Mother of God. He found himself divided between the joy of his happiness, and his unhoped-for dignity, and sorrow for what he had been about to do. He pi-ostrated himself instantly on the ground, and made, with humble fear and iuconcoivable contentment, heroic acta I >'?!? siiJsi &^t i OHAl*. IV.] of humility and LIFE OF BT. JOSKPn. 33 im I grntitiule. He gave thanks to God for the which had been disdoaed to him, and for having made ...... .... Hpouse of her whom lie had chosen to be His mother-him -vlio . V •r^'L Y i^-Eri,; « ■'c^:: mi with liifl tears; he swept it and ))i'e]mro(l other little household work, which, while icfiiornnt of her dii^iiity, he had intinsted to the care of his hlessed spouse. lie now resolved to change his deportment towards her, by ap- propriating to hiins(flf tin; oflicc of servant, reserving that of mis- tress for hei- majesty. Further on we shall i-elate the loving dis- putes which he had with our queen to decide which of tlie two should serve and take the hunihhu' j)lnoe. At the projier time the saint presented himself at the chamber of our blessed Lady, who awaited his coming with the sweetness and complacency which we shall recount in the following chapter. Let us take an example from St. Joseph, who believed, without delay and without doubt- ing, that which the angel revealed to him, in such wise that he mei'ited to be elevated to a great recompense, and to a sublime dignity. And if he abased himself with so much humility, not having committed any sin in what he did, but only in having been greatly troubled under circumstances which seemed to give so much occasion for anxiety, consider how much we ought to humiliate oui-selves — we, who aie nothing but miserable worms of the dust — bv weeping over our negligence and our sins, so that the Most High may regard us as father and spouse. y m^^ I w y.^- l&I i v? c fe } ciiArnai v. SKBVE IIEB IN A IX T.UNIIS WITH PHOFOUNI) KKSPKCr. St. Joskpu after tl.e discovery „f l.i. error, waited until our .le.s.od Lady sl.ould cou.e forth fro.n her retreat. As soon as he though ,t wan t.n,e, he opened the door of tlie litth, chamber oc • t her feet, he exclauned, with humility and profound veneration: My spouse Mother of the Eternal Word, behold your servant p.ostrate be ore you. By the .same Lord whon. you bear in your most chaste bosom, I pray you to pardon n>y presun^ption. Sure I an. that none of my thoughts can be hi.lden fron. your wisdo.n, "<>•• .on. the d.vme light which you have received. Great was m; l.l.ndness to thmk of deserting you ; but you know that I did it in Ignorance, because neither the secret of th« great King had been revealed to me, nor the greatness of your dignity. For-et I en- treat you, the ,nany deficiencies of a vile creature who offers his lu-art and Ins life to your service ; I will not rise f.oni your feet until you have par.loned my folly-until I shall have received your for- giveness ajid your benediction." The august Mary listened with mingled feelings to the humble words of her spouse. She rejoiced in the Lord to learn that St Joseph was informed of the mysteries of the incarnation, an.l that he revered them with such profound faith and humilitv. But she was troubled by the resolution he had taken to change 'his conduct towards her, and with the respect and submission with which he addressed her. Knowing how nuich she (,ught to esteem humility «he was disturbed by the apprehension that St. Joseph, recognizing in her the mother of the Lonl, would deport himself in all thin c^ as her mfV-nor. Insisting that he should rise, she prostrated he,-sdf at his feet, although he ma.le (-very edbrt to hinder this, but it was not possible ; for in humility she was inviuciW^. Then she said to the saint: "It is L mv snouse. who oughf ro beseech your pardon Cr hv« f^j '1^ m^ 2^*f??^«i mMm I -^kl LIFE OF HT. JOSKl'It. [OHAI', V. tho puin and hoitow that you have hud to ciiduro on my account, 'ore I beg y(»u will forgot tluMu." Ideascd Laily, for the oonsoliition of her hiisband, continued : uld not reveal to you the hidden mystery which the Most had inclosed within me, because it was my dv^y to await xpression of tlie will of the Lord, Thus my sdence should »e considered as arising from any want of esteem for you, for things I regard you us my master and my husband. I am, always shall b(*, your faithful servant ; but do not make any ^e in the demeanor which you have always preserved towards The Lord has not elevated mo to the dignity of being His own mother to be served, but to be the servant of all, and of you especially. This is my oflSce : it is but just that you should leave it to me, since the Most High has so ordained in giving me your l)rotection." St. Joseph, by these rejisona and many othei-s, sweetly effica- cious, found his spirit enlightened in a singular manner. He i-eceived, tlirough this purest of creatures, extraordinary divine influences, and, entirely renewed in heart, he replied: "You are blessed among women; you are blessed among all nations. May the Creator of heaven and earth be glorified by eternal praises, for that He has chosen you for His dwelling. In you alo"e He Iwls accom])lished the promises that He made to our fathers and to the proi)hets. Let all generations bless Him that He has not exalted Himself in any creature as in you, and that He has chosen me, the vilest of men, to be your servant." The saint was enlightened by the divine Spirit after the manner of St. Elizabeth ; but the light and knowledge which St. Joseph received were, in a certain sense, more admirable, because of his dignity and ministry. The august Mary replied by the Magnificat and other new can- ^'/'i tides; and while chanting them, inflamed by the divine fire, she i ( was rapt in a sublime ecstasy, and, lifted up from the earth in a .♦i; globe of brilliant light which encii-cled her, she was transformed as in a glory. St. Joseph was filled with admiration and joy incon- ceival)le at this view of his holy spouse, for he had never yet seen her surrounded with such gU>ry and excellence. She appeared to him /piite transparent, and, at the same time, he discovered the 6 li M OIIAP. v.] LIFE OP ST. JOSKPII. iiitcgrity nnd virgimil pmity of our queen and tho mystery of h.-r dignity. H« saw, rIho, and recognized in the cliaHte bosom of Mary -^ tl.e l..-]y humanity of the Infant (}od and the union of the two \f natures in the person of the Word. lie ndontd the Infant (Jod witii a profound humility, iic'kiiowle(Ig..(l his true Redeemer, and offered himself to His seivitM! with fervent acts of divine love.' The I^rd regarded him with great favor, and distinguished him .'•rnong all men, for lie accepted him as His reputed father, and gave him the title. Ami to render him conformable to this new and h.Mioi-able name, lie imparted to him all the knowledge and olivine gifts to which Christian jairity can or ought to luspire. If it were a proof of the magnanimity of the glorious St. Joseph that he did not die of jealousy, it is also a subject of mhniration that he was not overwhelmed by the joy which "he felt on this oc casion. In the first case his holiness appears, but in the second ho received such augmentations of graces and gifts from the Lord, that, if His divine Majesty had not dilated his heart, he could not have been able tu receiver them. He was entirely renewed and en- lightemtd so as to converse worthily with her who was the MoLher of God, and, conjointly with In-r, to dispense all that concerned the incarnation and the charge of the Word made mmi. It was ak. ^ manifested to him, in order that he should recognize the obligation L imposed on him to serve his holy spouse, that all the gifts he had leceived fiom the Most High weie received through her and for her. He knew that the gifts he had received before his espousals WiM-e bestowed because the Lord had chosen him foi- this office, and that those which he now received were because she had merited them for him. And as our blessed Lady had been the instrument by which the Lord had wi-ought the sauctification of John the Baptist, ami his mother, St. Elizabeth, she w.-us the organ, also, by whom St. Joseph received the plenitude of grace. This most ha[)py spouse knew all this, and he responded to it like a faithful and grat(!ful servant. ists make no mention of thes it»cf •Sip' to E i. i .i I. I "I Y m La '-/ M were reserved, by the inipenetr.al)le judgments of Providence, for times which the divine wisdom judged more suitable,* or when the Church sliould have need of the iutei'cession and support of ouP lioly queen. The faithful St. Joseph, after having been made aware of the dignity of his spouse, and the mystery of the incarna- tion, conceived so lofty an esteem for her, that, although he had been always pure and perfect in his life, he now became as a new man. lie resolved henceforth to change his conduct, and to re- double his veneration towards our blessed Lady. This was in con- formity with the wisdom of the saint, and due to the excellence of his spouse, for he was servant, and she mistress of the universe. St. Joseph knew all this by divine illumination. Now, to satisfy the desire he had to honor her in whom he recognized the Mother of God, when he spoke to her, or passed before her, if alone to- gether, he bent the knee. He would not sufl'er her to wait on him, nor that she should occupy herself in other humble offices, such as sweeping the house, cleansing the vessels, and many other things which he thought derogatory from the dignity of our queen. But our saintly Lady, who AViis the humblest of the humble, and whose humility was not to be overcome, prayed St. Joseph not to pay her such honors as to bow the knee to her. This veneration, she said, was doubtless due to the Lord, whom she bore in her l)osom; but while He remained there, the person of Christ could not be distinguished from her own. The saint, yielding to her humble desires, rendered this worship to the Lord, who was in the bosom of Mai-y, and to her as His mother, only when unperceived by her. They had also humble disputes respecting their servile employ- ments. St. Joseph could not consent to allow our amiable mistress to i)erforni them, and strove to prevent it. On her part, she did what she could, but while she was retired in her oratory the saint found time to do many tilings, and thus our sweet Lady was frus- trated in her desices to be the servant. At these times she ad- dressed her meek com[)laints to the Lord, and prayed Him to oblige her spouse not to hinder her in the ex(ircise of humility. * Jesus said, " I have yet many things to say to you : but you cannot hear thcin DOW." — St. John, xvi. 12. i-^'-" h C/>\ LIFE OP ST. JOSEPH 39 This virtue ia so agreeable at the tribunal of God, that we ask for no common grace when we pray for it; for humility imparts a certain gi-eatness to all things, and inclines God to clemency. The diviiu; Majesty hearkened to the request of our blessed Lady, and Iiis guardian an^el said, interiorly, to the blessed St. Joseph, "Do not fiusti'ate the humble desires of her who is above all creatures in heaven oi- on earth. Permit her to serve yon in external things, and preserve for her in your interior the greatest reverence. Ren- der to the Word made man, in all times and in all places, the homage that is due to Him. You can, meanwhile, assist His mother, and honor always the Lord of the universe who is within her." Having received these orders from the Most High, St. Joseph no longer refused her humble exercises to our sweet Lady. Thus both offered to God the sacrifice of their will. The most pure Mary, in practising her profound humility, and faithful obedience to her spouse ; and St. Joseph, by obedience to the Most High, with a holy confusion to see himself served by her whom he recognized as mistress of the universe and mother of the Creator. Thus our saint was compensated for the humility which he could not exercise ; for to see himself served as he was, humiliated him far more, and obliged him to abase himself still more profoundly in contempt of himself. In these dispositions St. Joseph meditated upon the Lord, whom the august Mary bore in her chaste bosom, adoring and rendering to Him honor and glory. Then, in recom- pense for his sanctity and his respect, mingled with fear, the Infant God, made man, sometimes manifested Himself in an admirable manner. He saw Him in the bosom of His most pure mother, as through a luminous crystal. Afterwards, our incomparable Lady conversed more familiarly with her blessed spouse upon the mys- t( iies of the incarnation, for she knew that he was now informed of the secrets of the hypostatic union of the two natures, divine and human, within lier virginal bosom. No tongne can relate the celestial discourses that were held be- tween the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph. And who can describe tlie effects produced on the gentle and pious heart of this holy man, on finding himself the spouse of lier who was the veritable rm^^ III )^^, Ml WSi \k. ry m ' ^M rH rfl i 'ij^^^B 1 '^^1 i ■ f ■ I if 1,;, ' I . ■ ■*^*«i6««i«<*l.%miikM^^.^ ,. 1>^ I .jf^ Y & 'm '*^/ d 42 LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH. [CIIAP. Vl. circumstance; hut a woman, their neighbor and relative, she who had served St. Joseph dui-inpr the sojourn of the Bh^s^ed Virgin at the house of Zachariah, took charge of their external affairs. She was abundantly recompensed for these services, not only in her own advancement in peifection, but her family also felt the benefi- cent effects of the protection of the holy fanaly. The august Mary many times healed their maladies, and filled them with heavenly benedictions. Their nourishment was very frugal; but they pai-took of it every day, and together. St. Joseph sometimes ate flesh meat, but the holy Virgin never, although she prepared it for her spouse. Their ordinary diet consisted of fruits, fish, bread, and cooked vegetables. But this was always taken with great moderation, and only so much as was needful, but the quality varied according to circumstances. St, Joseph never saw his holy spouse asleep. He did no know, from his own experience, whether she slept at all. Her place of rest was the little bed made by the saint. It had two coverings, between which she w s accustomed to place hereelf to take a brief and light repose. The under-garment of the august Mary was a tunic or chemise, but little softer than woollen stuff. She never left it off, except when it was worn, nor soiled it, and no one in the world saw it, not even St. Joseph. In all her works, and in what- ever she did for St. Joseph, the greatest clean iiess was observed. Before St. Joseph was informed of the mystery of the incarna- tion, our blessed Lady, at certain times when he was not occupied, used to read to him from the Holy Scriptures, particularly from David and the Prophets. She explained them like an experienced instructress, and her holy spouse questioned her on many points, her replies to which gave him such cause for admiration, that both united in praising and blessing the Lord. But after the saint had discovered the grand secret, our Lady addressed him as the chosen of God, to be the coadjutor of the works and mysteries of the Re- demption. They discou^-sed then openly together, and with a more clear undei-stauding, of the prophecies which referred to the con- ception of the Word by a Virgin Mother, His birth, and His most holy life. Our august Lady explained all ; and then they spoke of what i?:r^^ OIIAP. VI.] LIFE OP ST. JOSEPH. 43 they should do when the day, so much desired, should come— when the Child should be born, when He should be in her arms, and she should nourish Him from her virginal breast, and when, alone among mortals, her holy spouse would be the only one who should participate in this inconceivable happiness ! But she said little of the death and the passion, for she was unwilling to afflict the ten- der heart of her spouse. The fivithful and happy St. Joseph (sras all enkindled by divine love in these gracious conversations, and, shedding tears of joy, he cried out:. "Is it indeed possible that I shall see my God and Ee- deeraer within your chaste arms?— that I shall adore Him there ?- that I shall hear His sweet voice?— that I shall touch Him?— that my eyes shall see His divine face?-that the sweat of my brow sliall be employed in His service, and for His support ?— that we shall speiik and converse with Him? Whence comes to me such bliss as none could ever have deserved? Why have I not rich treasures, that I might lay them at His feet?" Our august Lady replied: "The great God comes no. .ato the world to fiuu riches, for He needs them not; for them would He not descend from heaven. . ^ comes on earth only to repair the disordei-s of the world, and ,y sure ways to conduct it to eternal life ; and these ways are none other than humility and poverty. For this He has chosen our poor habitation. He wills not that we be i-ich in worldly goods, which are but vanity and vexation of spii-it." The saint often besought the holy Virgin to instruct him in the character of the virtues, especially that of the divine love, in order that he might undei-stand how to conduct himself in a suitable nianner towards the God-man, so as not to be rejected as an un- profitable servant. The Mistress of the Virtues condescended to his request, and explained to her spouse the properties of the vir- tues, and the manner of practising them with all possible perfection. Nevertheless she deported hai-self in these instructions with such gi-eat discretion, that she appeared in no wise the mistress of her spouse, for she interrogated the saint and instructed him by her questions. They mingled these convereations, or readings from the Scrip- SE m '4! "!«IS, 'in >% n^-^^, r^'*f a J *^'' 1 LIFE OF ST. JOSKPII [CIIAP. VI. tures, sometimes with manual labor, when the saint was obliged to continue at his work. Our most amiable Lady added to them the consolations of the celestial doctrines ; and thus the happy husband made greater advancement in virtue thaa with the work of his hands. She showed to him the great fruit that may be drawn from labor. Believing hei'self unworthy to be maintained by her spouse, she was humbled, in thinking how much she was indebted to him. She felt herself as much obliged as if she had been the most useless of all creatures, p.r ., \ '^^r^ auttVle to assist our saint, she served him whenever it Wo' Mc About this time St. Jo- seph saw, one day, a great numb . of birds co»ne to entertain the queen of creatures. They fluttered around her, as if to form a choir, and sang with a delicious melody. St. Joseph had not be- fore witnessed this marvel, and, overflowing with joy and wonder, he exclaimed : " Is it possible that unreasoning creatures acquit themselves of their ol>ligations better than I? It is just that if they recognize, serve, and honor you, so far as they are capable, that you should permit me also, to acquit myself of what is justly your right." But the most prudent Virgin replied : " I am but a simjile creature, yet I ought to induce all creatures to praise the Most High." It often happened that they found themselves in want of neces- saries, for they were very liberal to the poor, nor were they care- ful, like worldly people, to provide for their wants in advance. Now the Lord so ordered it, that the faith and patience of His holy Mother and St. Joseph should not be idle. These privations were an inexpressible consolation to tho august Mary, not only because of her love of poverty, but also oi her humility, through which she cojisidered herself undeserving of the necessary aliments of life. She prayed the Most High only to supply the wants of St. Joseph. The All-Powerful forgot not His poor, and, while giving them occasion to augment their merits and to exercise their virtues. He gave them also food in season. Sometimes He inspired their neighr bors or acquaintances to sissist them by a gift. Oftener St. Eliza- beth sent them succoi-s from her own house ; for, since the visit i)f the Queen of heaven, she had i-esolved to help them, and our sweet Lady sent in return some work of her own hands. Our holy Mis- /l>Y ® m h mr i /WW tress sometiraea exercised the power with which she was endowed over creatures, and the birds brought fruits or bread. Her happy sjjouse was frequently a witness of tliese events. They wei-e also sometimes assisted, in a wonderful manner, by the ministry of angels. But before recounting these, it is well to i-emai'k that the nobleness of heart, the faith, and the generosity of the saint were so exalted, that his soul was free from every taint of avarice, or sordid care for the future. And although the holy spouses devoted themselves to labor, they never demanded the price of their work, nor would they enter into bai-gains, for they did not labor from motives of interest, but to exercise charity to- wards those who had need of it, leaving the acknowledgment of it to their discretion. When any payment was made to them, they received it not aa a. price or recompense, but as an alms. It often happened that no recompense was offered for their work, and that they found them- selves entirely destitute of food, and then the Lord provided it One day, when their usual dinner-hour was passed, and no moi-se] of food was to be found in the house, they remained a long time in prayer and thanksgiving to the divine Majesty, for this affliction. During this time the holy angels prepared a repast. They ar- ranged the table, and placed thereon fruits, bread of a very delicate kind, fish, and a sort of conserve of wonderful sweetness and excel- lence ; and then some of these blessed spirits went to call their (Jueen — others, St. Joseph. Each of them recognized the heavenly gifts, and, with holy tears of joy, renewed their thanksgiving to the Most High. At length they partook of the repast, which, be- ing finished, they united in chanting praises, truly sublime, to the beneficent giver of every good gift. The august Mary and her Bjjouse often experienced wondei-s of this character, for there wei-e no witnesses from whom it was necessary they should be concealed. The Lord was very liberal towards them, whom He had appointed administrators of the most wonderful prodigies which had ever been wrought. It is necessary to remai'k, that when oar blessed Lady composed canticles of praise, either alone, or with St. Joseph or the angels, we are to understand that they were always new, like those composed by St. Hannah, mother of Samuel ; Moses ; Y ,mji --s ^ W '^ 11 'i .1- ■^ »*"*«<"*l»W<»il»««»»i*<,»i,HB. Y fe 46 LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH. [chap. VI. Hezekiah, and otlier prophets. If they had been written, they wouhl form a large volumo, wlilch would have been the admiration of all the world. The providence of the Most High declares Himself protector of the humble who confide in Him, because the divine Majesty re- gards them with love. He is pleased with them — He bears thorn in His bosom — He is attentive to all their desires and all their pains. The august Mary and St. Joseph were very poor, and often found themselves in gi-eat want, but never did they allow the poi- son of avarice or cupidity to enter their hearts. They sought the glory of God alone, abandoning themselves entirely to His most loving care. We ought to be content with what is necessary, and to be con- vinced that the providence of our Creator can never fail. If He be slow sometimes to send us His help, we should not be afflicted nor lose hope. He who has abundance ought not to fix his hopes upon it. We should attribute to God both abundance and pover- ty, and make a holy use of both. Let us practise this doctrine, and abandon oureelves to Providence, and nothing that is needful for us can ever be wanting. 3; '/im\ ^•'>' ^4 W CHAPITER VII. I'KICrAUATIONS FOB TUB BIBTII OF THE INFANT JKSU8.— KDIOT OF AU0D8TDS.— TUB BLB8SKD MAKY AND ST. JOSEPH OO TO BETHI^EHEM. The Mother of the Eternal Word, the holy Maiy, seeing the I)o.riod of the birth of the Infant God approach, would not under- take to make the necessary preparations for it, without the com- mands of her husband, and the will of God. Although she was able to decide for herself in whatever concerned the maternal office, she preferred to practise the duties of an obedient and most faith- ful 8erv»!.t. She therefore consulted her holy spouse, St. Joseph. "It is tint, ' she said, "to 1)egin the preparations for the birth of my most blessed Son. With your permission, I will provide the swaddling -clotlies to receive Him. I have some' linen, spun by myself, which will serve for a part, if you will seek for the finest and softcit that can be found for the rest. And that all may be well doi e, let us offer a special prayer to His divine Majesty that Ave may do whatever is most agreeable to Him." St. Joseph rei)lied: "If it were necessary to give the purest of my blood to testify my readiness to render service to my God, and to do what you request, I should esteem myself happy to pour it out in the cruellest torments. Order all aa it seems best, for I de- sii-e to obey you as your servant." While they were engaged in prayer, the Most High replied to each in particular by the same voice. " I have descended from heaven to eai-th to elevate humility, and to debase pride— to honor poverty, and to make riches con- tempti})le. For this reason, it is my will that you ti-eat me in the huuianity which I have assumed, in all things exterior, as if I were the child of both of you— and interiorly you will recognize in me the Sou of my eternal Father, and true God, with the veneration and love due to me, being man and God at the same time." The august Mary and St. Joseph were confirmed by this divine voice in the wisdom that should guide their actions in all the ser- vices which they were to render to the Infant God. They resolved m '-J5 H ii 1 1': < !■ LIFE OV BT. J08KPII. [chap. VU. j0 . ^> "jfij, .«.,-t. I '4 to practise the most Hublimo and pert't'ct mode of honoring their true God, and never among mere creatures was IIo so perfectly honored. But before tlie eyes of the world they treated IJim as if tliey w(^re conjointly His parents, because it wivs the Lord's will that men should so believe. The celestial inhabitants were in udinii-ation at the conduct of the holy spouses, as we shall relate further on. They resolved also to devote to the Infant God all the services which their condition admitted, without attracting obser- vation, so that the secret of the great King should be concealed ; neither should he want for any thing, for, in ministering to Ilini, they could manifest their ardent love, so far as it was possible. St. Joseph, having received payment for some of his work, pur- chased, according to the Avishes of his spouse, two pieces of cloth, one white, and the other nearer violet than gray — the best that could be found. Our lovely Lady made of them swaddling-clothes ft)r her most holy child. She made little shirts of the linen that she had sj)un (furing the early period of her marriage, with the in- tention of olfering it at the Temple. Happily her intention was changed ; nevertheless she made an offering of what w.'is left. The Blessed Virgin had woven this linen on her knees, with teai-s of inexpressible devotion. St. Josej)h also purchased flowers and aromatics, from which the holy Mother composed the most delicious ])crfume that ever was made. With this she sprinkled the swad- dling-clothes consecrated to the Victim, and, folding them, she l)laced tlusm in a case which she and St. Joseph carried with them to liethlehem, as we shall see. It is hardly necessary to remark, that all these works recounted here, ought not to be I'egarded simply as facts. Their objects, and the intentions which inspired them, redolent of sanctity, and en- riched with the highest perfection, must be taken into view. The divine Mother, her heart all glowing with love, offered all the sacri- fice's which the ancient law contained in figure. She realized, in ti'uth, the ancient figui-es, by the exercise of virtues and acts both interior and exterior. Her happy spouse, on his part, accompanied her in many of them. If the smallest portion of grace that a creature, whoever he may be, receives, by means of a virtue that he hiis practised, is worth % ■''^M Wl^ m i 1 oiiAP. vn.] LIFE OF 8T. J08RPH. 49 more than al! t,h« iinivei-se, who can estimate its greatness in her wlio surpasHod the merits of the highest Seraphim I Our holy Ladv saw the h.inmnify united to the Divinity in the person of the Wor.l saw all the interior iwAh of the most holy soul of her divine Son' and the prayers that He offered for her, for St. Joseph, for the wh..le human raoe, and especially for the i)redestinate. The Most High had determined, l.y His immutable will, that the only Son of the Father should be born at Bethlehem. The ancient prophets had long since announced it. The Lord disposed all things for the accomplishment of His divine decree; and it was by an edict of Caisar Augustus, who commanded, as it is recorded by St Luke, a census to be made of the whole world. It consisted in acknowledging the authority of the Emperor of Rome, and paying a certam tribute. To effect this, every one was obliged to inscribe himself on the register of his native city. This edict being published at Nazareth, St. Joseph wr« informed of It. Returning home, in much trouble, he related to his blessed spouse what had happened. The most prudent Virgin replied : " The edict of an earthly ])otentate ought not to disturb you in this man- nei-, since the Sovereign of heaven and earth takes care of all things that belong to us. His Providence will assist us. Let ui. abandon ourselves with confidence to His guidance." The holy Virgin was instructed in all the mysteries of her divMie Son, and she knew that He was to be born in Bethlehem, poor, and a sti-anger ; but she said nothing of this to St. Joseph. They con- ferred together upon what they ,ght to do, for the period of the birth of the Infant God approaohed. At length St. Joseph said to his spouse: "It seems to me that I cannot be dispensed from exe- cuting this edict of the emperor. And although it would suffice to go alone, I dare not leave you, for I should not have a moment of i-epose— my heart would be in perpetual alarm. It would be i-isking too much to propose to you to accompany me to Bethlehem ; it would expose you, too evidently, to danger. This apprehensioJ gives me great pain. Present, I entreat you, my supplications to the Most High, that He may not separate me from you." The humble Mary obeyed the request of St. Joseph, only to prove her obedience, for she was not ignorant of the divine will. I 1- &i [J jjfft %-^'. •^'•i: V Wi",. 'l M ¥& ".U •*■; LIFK OK SI". JOHKI'll. Slu) tlu'vcforo laid the dcHirca of Iwr fiiitliful spovisc! Ix^fon! the Lord, who i('|tli('d to her: "Obey my Hcrvant Joseph in what he hii8 proposed mid dewiref*. Bear him company iii this* journey. 1 will be with you, for it is my will that you Hhoiild go." The I.K)rd ordiM-ed nine thouaaud angels to join the thousand wlio formed her giiai'd. Our lileased Lady confided to St. Joseph this response, and de- clared that it was tlu; will of the Most High that she should ac- company hiiii to Bethlehem. The saintly nian wius full of joy, and expressed his humble gratitude for this favor. He said to his spouse : " I have no other anxiety in this journey except the pain which it will cause to you. But I hope to find relations and friends who will receive us with kindness." The kind heart of the good man induced him to believe this, but the Lord had disposed other- wise. The saint was mistaken in his expectations, and suftered much from the disappointment. Our sweet Lady forebore to reveal to St. Joseph what was already known to her touching the event to be accomjilished. They ap- pointed the day of departure, and St. Joseph went to engage a bea-st of burden. It was very difticult to find one, because of the great number of pereons who were going to their different cities to be enrolled, in obedience to the imperial edict. At length he found a little ass, which, if he could have known it, was the happiest of all his race, since he carried the Queen of tlie Univei-se, and the King of kings, and was present at the birth of the Infant God. During five days the august Mary and St. Joseph were engaged in preparations for the journey. Their provisions consisted of bread, fruits, and fish, as in going to the house of Zachariah. And as the most prudent Virgin knew that she would be long absent from the house, she secretly arranged her affairs according to the will of God. Finally, they recommended it to a person who Wiis to take charge of it until their return. The hour of departure arrived. The blessed Joseph, who treated his beloved spouse with renewed respect, sought, like a vigilant and faithful servant, to find reasons to serve and please her. He entreated her, with much affection, to make known to him all that she desired for her comfort, and for the good plesiaure of the Lord n i i i % ClfAI Ql ncce uoen m( ■ ""'J' "■"•'""" «'r lUM- spouse: siio ovon consr.lt..! and .ini. tnat..l l,i,n to vruhive the fntiguo of the ron.l, for U\, ,|ivin,. M,u .rnty w,ll..,l that tli,.y sI.omM accopt tho ii.(.oi,v.Mii(M.o..H of the joiinicy with an ('(pmhlc and joyous heart. liofore Hottin^r n„t, our hh-ss,.! La.ly k.ielt to ask th.t I„.„.Mlict,o„ of 8t. Josoph. Tho man of (}o,l .x.ns.d i,i,„,,if ,„,,,„,, ^f ,,,.,. dignity, but the ahvays invincibh. hninility of fche august Vii-in c-onqueml, an,] oblig.Ml him to give it. She then prayed him'to orter himself anew to her most holy Son, and to obtain for her His divine grace. After these holy preparations they set out for Reth- Jehem ,n tho depth of winter, which made the journey more pain lul and more inconvenient. The august Mary an.l the glorious St. Joseph left Nazareth to go to Bethlehem ! Poor and humble travellers they were in the eyes of the worhl, which ha.l no more esteem for them than it ha