The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-03-18
ST. JOSEPH.

} Ireland, that OF Sc. Joseph, which 10 now up
preaching, will be still more joyfuliy com
nemorated by all the children Of the Faith
81. Patrick 10 the patron Of single people, but
81. Joseph 10 the glorious patron Of tho Uni
versal Church. "a
That Church, We we'll know, claims the whole
world a her patrimony, and NUMBER hel
children among all the tribes and nations d
the earth, and thus st. Josepb's name 10 in
voked from the stainless SHOWS Of the Arctic
regions, to the burning plains of the Tropics,
and from the elevated plateaus of the Eastern
| Continent, to the lowlands of our own Catholic
Louisiana. Bot If in all periods of the Christ
| ian era his name has been dear TO the Church
tof Christ, more particularly is it 80 now when
she has elected him ~ her special protector,
| the guardian Of her glorious privileges.
We see Hmm now, in this supernatural charac-
ter, watching over the Mother of the Faithful,
even as the world beheld him nineteen centurie,
ago, watching in his natural character, over the
Virgin Mother of the God made Man.
Hoses tiisnhosen Spouse of Christ, DETAINED,
suspected |; hat he knows, without any angelic
message, that abe In all fair, all spotless.
He ices her cherished children, her most
sanity soulD, in poverty and tribulation but
As knows that God wills it thus, and that one
day their ignominy shall be changed to an i'm.
mortal glory. He sees her anointed priests
and dedicated virgins driven into exile but
he knows, sooner or later, they will return to
the fsther-land when "they are dead"
who sought to do them evil. Finally,
he sees her. desolAte, stripped of all tenn
poral possessions, kneeling in tears before her
Imprisoned Pontiff; but he knows that from
II hao 1y I'd Ill ~, Ia,
and point ont to her the hand which is to lead
her from the Cross of ignominy and the Mount
Of pain.
But knowing all this, how tenderly he
watches over her trials, how fervently he prays
for strength in all her tribulations, for patience
in her exile, for comfort in her abandonment
and tears!
st. Joseph's patronage is not an idle gift it
enricbes all who have recourse to him, and
who 10 there that does not need him az q model
or invoke bim as friend7
The young call on him for his fatherly pro-
lection he cared for the Babe of Bethleheuaa
The old invoke him he had learned wisdom
both through age and virtue. Virgins seek
his intercession he was Mary's Spousei The
married AJAX his help: he bore all tho burdens
of domestic life. Mothers appeal to him for
solace: he was the companion Of tho Mothenof
Sorrows. Fathers implore his counsel: he was
head of the hottest family on earth. World
lings ask his direction: he spent his life in tbe
busy tolls of earth. The clustered look to him
for guidance: he lived in prayer and silence
The poor need his example he was an humble
carpenter. The noble are edited by his hu-
mility: he was Of the royal house of David.
Priests claim him as their teacher: he minis
tered to the Sacred Body which they offer in
sacrifice upon the altar. All Christians turn
to him for aid and comfort. In life and death
they invoke his name: he lived in the presence
of Incarnste Wisdom and died in the arms of
Incarnate Mercy.
Pharoah placed the son of jacob as roller
over all Egypt, bidding those who came to him.
for help to Ego to Joseph" In like manner,
God, the Supreme Master Of the Universe, has
seen fit to place the Son Of David az o ruler
over His Church, bidding all souls, by the
voice of His Spouse, to Ego to Joseph" in their
trials and necessities.
The first Joseph, by his prophetic knowledge
and prudent calculations, guarded his people
against want and famine thus will the second
Joseph, by means of the superna tural Rraces
lavished upon him, secure for his people all the
blessings which they need, and preserve them
from all the evils which they dread. But it 10
especially to his OUn that this blessed Patriarch
will emulate the mighty Governor of Egypt,
who gave his brethren Al, and even moro than
they came to ask. His OSn are those who imi-
tate his virtues, implore his protection, and
dedicate themselves to his service. To them
he repeats the words of the Son of jacob:
Come nearer to me, be NOT afraid. Not by
your counsel wac sent hither, but by the will
of God, who hath made me, as il were, o father
to Pharaoh and Lord of his whole house and
governor in all The land. Tell my father of
all my glOry-and will feed all who belong
to him."
Singular and sublime words, most applicable
to St. Joseph and most consoling to those who
honor him! He, too, bids us come nearer
nearer even than during the past ages of Chris
tendon; for by Gods will he has been made,
a. it we're, Father to the Saviour, Lord of His
Church and ruler in all His Kingdom.
bot be mindful that You tell Ny Father