Posted on 06/15/2004 10:24:01 PM PDT by Salvation
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MORE THAN PATRON OF HOMES, IT'S TIME FOR ST. JOSEPH TO GAIN HIGHEST OF RECOGNITION
By Michael H. Brown
Much of the time, it is baffling. While St. Joseph is widely recognized by Catholics (many churches and religious orders are named for him, as are many people), he has remained in the background when it comes to intercession. Oh, his prayers are sought. He is on the list. But he has not been granted recognition in proportion to who he was -- the father of Jesus while He was on earth.
Perhaps St. Joseph is kept in the background by the design of providence. No one is saying that he has gone completely ignored. But it may be time for the Church (if it so discerns) to rectify the situation. We are open to the possibility that St. Joseph himself desired to be hidden as a manifestation of his incomparable humbleness. Maybe it is just the way it is supposed to be. But I really wonder, and I think that too often we overlook a great intercessor -- one whose time has come.
True, there are those churches named for him, and a good number of statues. But how many splendid images are there? How much focus? How many miracles attributed?
When we want a picture of St. Joseph it always takes a good deal of searching, yet this is a saint who is remarkably powerful and should be up there in our neediest supplications (just below the Blessed Mother and Archangel Michael, in our estimation).
Let every altar pay homage to this remarkably effective saint! Unbeknown to many, St. Joseph has been behind thousands of miraculous healings. We believe there is something to be said about the "Our Lady of America" revelations to an Ohio nun named Mildred Mary Neuzil. During one apparition, the Blessed Mother -- in messages granted an official imprimatur -- was quoted as telling the nun: "My holy spouse has an important part to play in bringing peace to the world." If we pay heed to those apparitions, the current world situation -- and the lack of peace -- is another indication that his time has come.
Consider who this man was. Consider the extraordinarily important role he had in bringing the Savior -- the Prince of Peace -- into the world.
If not for his humility, would he have accepted a wife pregnant by inexplicable means? Would he have given up everything to protect that Infant? And was he not a seer himself? Was he not the one granted dreams indicating where they should journey in order to avoid persecution?
This is a hugely major saint, far larger than just the saint we go to when we want to sell a house (although in this, as we can attest, he is tremendous!). Those who honor him are promised his escort into Heaven.
He is the protector of our homes as he was the protector of the Holy Family.
The famous healer Blessed Andre of Montreal said his cures took place at the behest of Joseph, and according to Sister Neuzil, Jesus and Mary now desire that Joseph's pure heart, so long hidden and unknown, be honored in a special way. Sister Neuzil even offered a new devotion: recitation of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary on the first Wednesday of the month. She claimed the saint appeared to her in a brown cloak with a purplish hue, his belt gold, as were his sandals. She described his face as both young and mature -- the facial lines purposeful and strong but softened by a gentle serenity.
"He seemed suspended, as it were, a short distance above what had the appearance of a large globe with clouds moving about it," claimed Sister Neuzil, whose apparitions have come the closest of any in America to official recognition [see archive]. "His head was slightly raised, the eyes gazing upward as if in ecstasy. The hands were in a position similar to that of the priest during the celebration of Holy Mass, only they extended upward somewhat more."
A dove hovered over his head.
"Let them receive Holy Communion in union with the love with which I received the Savior for the first time and each time I held Him in my arms," Sister Neuzil quoted him as saying. "All fatherhood is blest in me whom the Eternal Father chose as His representative on earth, the Virgin-Father of His own Divine Son. Through me the Heavenly Father has blessed all fatherhood, and through me He continues and will continue to do so till the end of time."
His fatherhood -- he explained -- extends to all of God's children.
He watches over us with the Blessed Virgin. His was perfect obedience to the Divine Will -- and in this incredible accomplishment is his power. We remember this especially as we approach Father's Day.
"Let fathers also imitate my great purity of life and the deep respect I held for my Immaculate Spouse," he told Sister Neuzil. "Let them be an example to their children and fellow men, never willfully doing anything that would cause scandal among God's people.
"Fatherhood is from God, and it must once again take its rightful place among men."
[resources: Our Lady of America messages]
His fatherhood -- he explained -- extends to all of God's children.
"Fatherhood is from God, and it must once again take its rightful place among men."
~~ Michael H. Brown
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Well, I'm fixing to start a Novena to St. Joseph cause we're gonna put an addition on our house. We're doing the work ourselves in honor of our Dads who were both carpenters, and were fine examples of St. Joseph in that regard, and as wonderful fathers!
Favorite Saint Bump!
Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interest and desires.
Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most Loving of Fathers.
Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.
St. Joseph, Patron of departed souls, pray for me.
Mine too!
Childhood parish bump! :)
Great post and if anyone is in range of Montreal Ca, I would suggest a vist to St. Joseph's Oratory built their. A visit to there to honor St. Joseph would be great!
Bump for Papa Joe.
I asked his help before I started replacing flooring! It's going pretty well, too. A novena would have been even better.
I couldn't agree more. It's long overdue. He agreed to the plan, too.
Sounds wonderful. St. Joseph will be at your side, I'm sure.
Thanks for the bumps.
St. Joseph is often overlooked. I know I did a lot of praying to him after my husband died.
Thank you for that wonderful link to Dads.org
Funny, but when we moved to our current location we had attended
St. Joseph (Mission San Jose in Freemont, Ca.)
St. Joseph (in Auburn, Ca.)
So when we moved here and had a choice (we were on the borderline) we chose St. Joseph!
He has been good to me.
Thank you for this. I love St. Joseph dearly and am so greatful for his prayers. Indeed, if our baby arriving in December is a boy, his name is John Joseph in honor of John the Just and St. Joseph.
Thanks for the update. I was wondering (and praying) how things were going at your house.
Girl? Josephine?
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