Flora Cantábrica

Saint Joseph,

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March 19
Saint Joseph,
Husband of the Virgin Mary
Joseph means «God helps me.»
We only know the historical details of Saint Joseph that Saint Matthew and Saint Luke tell us in the Gospel. His greatest honor is that God entrusted him with his two most precious treasures: Jesus and Mary. Saint Matthew tells us that he was a descendant of the family of David.
A very ancient tradition says that on March 19th, our saint’s death and the passing of his soul from earth to heaven occurred.
The saints who most spread devotion to Saint Joseph have been: Saint Vincent Ferrer, Saint Bridget, Saint Bernardine of Siena (who wrote very beautiful sermons in his honor), and Saint Francis de Sales, who often preached recommending devotion to the holy Patriarch. But above all, the one who most spread his devotion was Saint Teresa, who was cured by him of a terrible illness that had left her almost paralyzed, an illness that was already considered incurable. She prayed with faith to Saint Joseph and obtained a miraculous cure. From then on, this saint never ceased to recommend that people entrust themselves to him. She would repeat: «Other saints seem to have special power to solve certain problems. But God has granted Saint Joseph great power to help in everything.» Toward the end of her life, the mystical founder said: «For 40 years, every year on the feast of Saint Joseph, I have asked him for some special grace or favor, and he has not failed me even once. I tell those who listen to me to make the effort to pray with faith to this great saint, and they will see the great results they will achieve.» It is noteworthy that she named Saint Joseph as the patron saint of all the convents founded by Saint Teresa.
Saint Matthew relates that Saint Joseph had pledged himself in a public ceremony to marry the Virgin Mary. But then, when he realized that she was expecting a child without the two of them having lived together, and not understanding the mystery, instead of denouncing her as unfaithful, he decided to abandon her secretly and go live in another town. And the Gospel says that his determination not to denounce her was due to the fact that «Joseph was a just man,» a true saint. This is enormous praise paid to him by Sacred Scripture. In the Bible, «being just» is the best a man can be.
Our saint had some very impressive dreams, in which he received extremely important messages from heaven.
In his first dream, in Nazareth, an angel told him that the child Mary was going to have was the work of the Holy Spirit and that he could safely marry her, who was completely faithful. Reassured by this message, Joseph celebrated his wedding. Legend tells that twelve young men sought to marry Mary, and each carried in his hand a staff of very dry wood. And at the moment when Mary had to choose between the 12, the staff that Joseph was carrying miraculously blossomed. That is why this saint is depicted with a blossoming staff in his hand.
In his second dream in Bethlehem, an angel told him that Herod was seeking to kill the Child Jesus, and that he should flee to Egypt. Joseph got up at midnight and went with Mary and the Child to Egypt.
In his third dream in Egypt, the angel told him that Herod was dead and that they could return to Israel. Then Joseph, his wife, and the Child returned to Nazareth.
The Catholic Church greatly venerates the five great sorrows or pains that this saint suffered, but each pain or suffering corresponds to an immense joy that Our Lord sent him.
The first sorrow: Seeing the Child Jesus born in a very poor cave in Bethlehem, and not even being able to find a small, poor house for the Nativity scene. This pain was matched by the joy of seeing and hearing the shepherd angels arrive to worship the Divine Child, and then receiving a visit from the Magi from the East with gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The second pain: On the day of the Presentation of the Child in the Temple, hearing the prophet Simeon announce that Jesus would be a cause of division and that many would turn against him, and that because of this, a dagger of pain would pierce Mary’s heart. This suffering was matched by the joy of hearing the prophet announce that Jesus would be the light that would illuminate all nations, and the glory of the people of Israel.
The third pain: The flight to Egypt. Having to flee through those deserts in 40-degree temperatures, without shade or water, and with the newborn Child. This suffering was matched by the joy of being warmly received by his fellow countrymen in Egypt and the joy of seeing the Divine Child grow so holy and beautiful.
The fourth pain: The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple and the anguish of searching for him for three days. This suffering was followed by the joy of finding him safe and sound, having him at home until he was 30, and watching him grow in age, wisdom, and grace before God and men.