March - dedicated to St. Joseph

March, the month dedicated to St. Joseph
J.M.J.

ST. TERESA'S PLEA
Words of St. Teresa of Avila

"Would that I could persuade all men to be devoted to this glorious
Saint , for I know by long experience what blessings he can obtain
for us from God. I have never known anyone who was truly devoted to
him and honored him by particular services who did not advance
greatly in virtue: for he helps in a special way those souls who
commend themselves to him. It is now very many years since I began
asking him for something on his feast, and I have always received it.
If the petition was in any way amiss, he rectified it for my greater
good . . . I ask for the love of God that he who does not believe me
will make the trial for himself-then he will find out by experience
the great good that results from commending oneself to this glorious
Patriarch and in being devoted to him . . ."
-Autobiography, VI, 11-12

WORDS OF POPE LEO XIII
From the Encyclical Quamquam pluries, August 15, 1889

"Since the bond of marriage existed between Joseph and the Blessed
Virgin, there can be no doubt that more than any other person he
approached that supereminent dignity by which the Mother of God is
raised far above all created natures."

"Blessed Joseph . . . was indeed the husband of Mary and the father,
as was supposed, of Jesus Christ. From this arise all his dignity,
grace, holiness and glory . . . is his numberless family, scattered
throughout all lands, over which he rules with a sort of paternal
authority, because he is the husband of Mary and the father of Jesus
Christ."

"Just as Mary, Mother of the Saviour, is spiritual mother of all
Christians . . . Joseph looks on all Christians as having been
confided to himself . . . He is the defender of the Holy Church,
which is truly the House of God and the Kingdom of God on earth."

WORDS OF ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI

"Since we all must die, we should cherish a special devotion to St.
Joseph, that he may obtain for us a happy death. All Christians
regard him as the advocate of the dying who had honored him during
their life, and that for three reasons:

"First, because Jesus Christ loved him not only as a friend, but as a
father, and on this account his mediation is far more efficacious than
that of any other Saint.

"Second, because St. Joseph has obtained special power against the
evil spirits, who tempt us with redoubled vigor at the hour of death.

"Third, the assistance given St. Joseph at his death by Jesus and
Mary obtained for him the right to secure a holy and peaceful death
for his servants. Hence, if they invoke him at the hour of death he
will not only help them, but he will also obtain for them the
assistance of Jesus and Mary."

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The above is taken from the booklet "Favorite Prayers to St. Joseph"
http://olrl.org/books/joseph.shtml

 
Sincerely in Christ,
Our Lady of the Rosary Library
"Pray and work for souls"
http://olrl.org

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