A Manual of Practical Devotion to St. Joseph

,

• Publisher: TAN Books
• Year: 1965
• eBook ISBN: 9781618904379
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Denominations

Written in 1709. "Go to Joseph" is the advice of the Church. This book shows the way. Tremendous insights on St. Joseph, plus reasons for our devotion to him. Learn about the man God chose to represent the ideal of fatherhood in the Holy Family! Includes prayers, novenas and hymns. Impr. 352 pgs,

THIRD BOOK.

DEVOUT PRACTICES

IN HONOUR OF

SAINT JOSEPH.

CHAPTER I.

Practices for each Day.

THE holy patriarch Jacob, wishing to give his favourite son, Joseph, then a boy, a mark of his tenderness and predilection, ordered a tunic of various beautiful colours to be made for him (Gen. chap, xxxii.). I am of opinion that this variegated garment was a figure of the various privileges, virtues, and marks of respectful homage by which St. Joseph is so eminently distinguished among all the other saints. Bearing a striking resemblance to the Queen of heaven, by the lustre of his virtues and prerogatives, does it not follow, that the devotion which is testified to him, should resemble in some degree that which is rendered to Mary? and the homages which he receives, should they not "abound in variety"? (Psal. xliv.) It is my intention now, pious reader, to present this mysterious tunic to your view, by suggesting various practices of devotion, which will enable you to testify your love and respect for this glorious saint.

I.—IMAGE OF ST. JOSEPH.

Venerate his image; and with this view, let it occupy a distinguished place in your oratory; for in every family, the portraits of the most illustrious benefactors, patrons, or relatives, constitute the most valuable part of the furniture. Imitate in this respect the devout St. Francis de Sales, who would have no other picture in his Breviary but St. Joseph's; also F. Louis Lallemant, who would have St. Joseph's likeness always about his person, and even in the grave.

II.—PRAYER AT MASS.

If you are a priest, you can, by virtue of a general authorisation, given by the Congregation of Rites, when you recite the prayer Et cunctis, insert the name of Joseph, placing it before that of the Apostles Peter and Paul.

III.—PATRONAGE OF ST. JOSEPH.

If Providence has placed you at the head of a family, or of a religious community, entrust it to the care of a saint to whom the Eternal Father confided all that was most dear to Him, namely, Jesus and Mary. In this you will follow St. Theresa's example, who placed each new monastery that she founded under the tutelage of her dear master and patron, St. Joseph. When the King of Egypt was about to raise Joseph of old to the dignified position which he afterwards held, he said to him: "You shall be the head of my house." Apply the same language in your own case to the "ruler of the family of Jesus."

IV.—REMEMBRANCE OF ST. JOSEPH.

Frequently think of St. Joseph in the course of the day, especially when the striking of the clock warns you to venerate the great mystery of the "Incarnation," which took place in the chaste womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, his spouse. Also, when you hear the bell tolling to announce the agony of a dying person, as is usual in many places, think then of him who is the special patron of the agonizing, and repeat the following, or a similar aspiration: "O holy Joseph! worthy spouse of the Mother of Life, remember me when I am in my last agony!"

V.—INVOCATION OF ST. JOSEPH.

St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi, beholding the glory of St. Joseph in one of her ecstasies, exclaims: "Oh! how great a share had not the glorious St. Joseph in the chalice of Jesus' passion, by the services which he rendered to His 'Sacred Humanity'! In Paradise, St. Joseph's purity increases the lustre of Mary's: he always favours with especial protection those souls who are enrolled beneath the standard of Mary! How resplendent does the sanctity of Joseph appear, when united to that of Jesus and Mary!" Thus it is that the saint speaks. You see, then, that to make your devotion to St. Joseph complete, it ought to comprise devotion to all three, viz., to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, who have been so closely allied to one another by family ties, affection, and holiness. Be you also united to them, by cherishing, with all the fervour of your soul, a true devotion to the adorable infancy of our Divine Lord, to which Mary and Joseph vowed all their love and energies. Frequently invoke these three sweet names, in imitation of the blessed Gaspar Bon, who lived and died with these sacred names in his heart and on his lips.

VI.—IMITATION OF ST. JOSEPH.

Since the most solid devotion to our holy patrons consists in striving to imitate their example, you should endeavour to practise each day some particular virtue for which St. Joseph was remarkable; for instance, vigilance over your inferiors, if you be the father of a family, or a superior. A particular practice of the Ven. Louis Lallemant, of whom we have already spoken, was this: he made choice of St. Joseph for his master and model in the interior life. With this view he daily practised the four following exercises, two in the morning and two in the evening. The first was, to enter in spirit into the heart of St. Joseph, and to reflect how docile it had been to the inspirations of the Holy Ghost; then, looking down into his own heart, he humbled himself for his negligence or resistance, and animated himself to follow the impressions of grace more faithfully in future. The second exercise was, to consider with what perfection St. Joseph united the interior life to the laborious avocations of his state of life; then, reflecting upon his own occupations, he examined whether he had any faults to correct as to his usual manner of performing them. By this self-discipline, Père Lallemant arrived at a very high degree of union with God—a union which he knew the secret of preserving uninterrupted, even amidst the most distracting duties. The third exercise consisted in uniting himself to St. Joseph, whom he considered in his character of "spouse of the Mother of God," and as such, favoured beyond all other creatures with the most extraordinary lights regarding the ineffable virginity and maternity of Mary; he endeavoured then to excite in his soul an increase of love towards this great saint, for the sake of Mary, his blessed spouse. The fourth exercise was, the consideration of the profound adoration, the loving and paternal services which St. Joseph rendered to the blessed Child Jesus; and he asked his permission to unite with him in adoring, loving, and rendering service to that amiable and Divine Child. This he earnestly desired to do, with sentiments of the tenderest affection and veneration the most profound. We now invite those happy souls, whose sole aim is to please God, and to advance perseveringly in perfection, to adopt henceforth the practice of these holy exercises, than which we deem nothing more conducive to the perfect accomplishment of their pious desires. Should it happen, however, that they appear too sublime for some timid souls, we here give them an exercise more in accordance with their weakness.

VII.—HONOUR THE SEVEN PRIVILEGES OF ST. JOSEPH.

Assign each day of the week to honour one of the glorious privileges of St. Joseph. On the first day, honour him as the spouse of Mary; on the second, as the adopted father of Jesus; on the third, as a most pure virgin; on the fourth, as vicar and lieutenant of the Eternal Father; on the fifth, as the chief and protector of the Holy Family; on the sixth, as the happiest of men in his life and death; and on the seventh, honour him as being the most exalted of all the saints in heaven.

VIII.—TO CULTIVATE A SPECIAL DEVOTION TO THE SEVEN DOLOURS AND SEVEN JOYS OF ST. JOSEPH.

He himself taught this practice to the three Franciscan friars, of whom we have spoken in the fifth chapter. This devotion, then, cannot fail of being pleasing to him.

The Church, besides, by numerous indulgences, has testified her approbation of this devotion. His Holiness Pius VII., in a rescript of the 9th December, 1819, has granted the following indulgences in perpetuity to any of the faithful, who, with a contrite heart, should recite the following devotion in honour of the Seven Dolours and Seven Joys of St. Joseph:—

1. One hundred days, once a day.

2. Three hundred days, every Wednesday, and on the nine days preceding his principal feast, and that of his Patronage.

3. Plenary indulgence on each of these feasts, confession, communion, and prayers for the intentions of his Holiness being understood. For reciting these prayers the whole month, plenary indulgence any day of the month at choice, with the usual conditions.

Gregory XVI., by a rescript of January 22nd, 1836, granted to the faithful who should recite these prayers for seven consecutive Sundays, the following privileges:—Three hundred days indulgence every Sunday, plenary indulgence on the seventh, on the three usual conditions.

Pius IX., by two decrees of the Congregation of Bites, one on the 1st of February, the other on the 22nd of March, 1847, has granted a plenary indulgence on each of these Sundays; adding, however, to the usual conditions, that of visiting some church or public oratory, to pray for his intentions.

By the decree of the 22nd of March, Pius IX. grants the...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication Page
• CONTENTS
• Preface
• Work of St. Joseph
• FIRST BOOK.
• SECOND BOOK.
• THIRD BOOK.