From "The Autobiography
of St. Teresa", chapter 6...
"I took for my advocate and lord the glorious Saint Joseph and commended
myself earnestly to him; and I found that this my father and lord delivered
me both from this trouble and also from other and greater troubles concerning
my honor and the loss of my soul, and that he gave me greater blessings
than I could ask of him. I do not remember even now that I have ever asked
anything of him which he has failed to grant. I am astonished at the great
favors which God has bestowed on me through this blessed saint, and at
the perils from which He has freed me, both in body and in soul. To other
saints the Lord seems to have given grace to succor us in some of our necessities
but of this glorious saint my experience is that he succors us in them
all and that the Lord wishes to teach us that as He was Himself subject
to him on earth (for, being His guardian and being called His father, he
could command Him) just so in Heaven He still does all that he asks. This
has also been the experience of other persons whom I have advised to commend
themselves to him; and even to-day there are many who have great devotion
to him through having newly experienced this truth."
"I wish I could persuade everyone to be devoted to
this glorious saint, for I have great experience of the blessings which
he can obtain from God. I have never known anyone to be truly devoted to
him and render him particular services who did not notably advance in virtue,
for he gives very real help to souls who commend themselves to him. For
some years now, I think, I have made some request of him every year on
his festival and I have always had it granted. If my petition is in any
way ill directed, he directs it aright for my greater good."
"I only beg, for the love of God, that anyone who
does not believe me will put what I say to the test, and he will see by
experience what great advantages come from his commending himself to this
glorious patriarch and having devotion to him. Those who practice prayer
should have a special affection for him always. I do not know how anyone
can think of the Queen of the Angels, during the time that she suffered
so much with the Child Jesus, without giving thanks to Saint Joseph for
the way he helped them. If anyone cannot find a master to teach him how
to pray, let him take this glorious saint as his master and he will not
go astray."
Novena to St. Joseph...
O Glorious St. Joseph, faithful
follower of Jesus Christ, to thee do we raise our hearts and hands to implore
thy powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign Heart of Jesus all
the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare,
particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special favor we now implore.
O guardian of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that
thy prayers in our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of
God. [Then the following V. and R. are to be said seven times, in honor
of the seven joys or sorrows of St. Joseph.]
V. O glorious St. Joseph,
through the love thou dost bear to Jesus Christ, and for the glory of His
name,
R. Hear our prayers and obtain our petitions.
1. The sorrow St. Joseph had when he was minded to put away his stainless spouse. The joy he had when the archangel revealed the sublime mystery of the Incarnation.
2. The sorrow St. Joseph had in seeing the infant Jesus born in abject poverty. The joy he had in hearing the harmony of angel choirs, and beholding the glory of that night.
3. The sorrow St. Joseph had when the Precious Blood of the infant Savior was shed at His circumcision. The joy given with the Name of Jesus.
4. The sorrow St. Joseph had at the prophecy of Simeon foretelling the sufferings of Jesus and Mary. The joy given, at the same time, of the prediction of salvation and glorious resurrection of innumerable souls.
5. The sorrow St. Joseph had in his toil to nurture and to serve the Son of the Most High, especially in the flight he made with Him into Egypt. The joy he had in having God Himself always with him, and to see the overthrow of the idols of Egypt.
6. The sorrow St. Joseph had by the fear of Archelaus. The joy he had in returning with Jesus from Egypt to Nazareth, and the reassurance of the angel.
7. The sorrow St. Joseph had when through no fault of his, he lost Jesus, the holy Child, and searched for Him in great anguish for three days. The joy he had when finding Him amidst the doctors in the Temple.
H Grant, O holy Joseph, that, ever secure under thy protection, we may pass our lives without sin.
(Ind. of 300 days.)
St. Joseph, foster-father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and true spouse of Mary ever Virgin, pray for us. (Ind. of 300 days.)
St. Joseph, model and patron of those who love the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us.
(Ind. of 300 days.)
Reprint our original work freely with above information.
St. Teresa of Avila, "Interior Castle"
