St. Joseph: The Holiest Man on Earth

I was just contemplating that St. Joseph had to be the holiest man that ever walked the earth. He lived under the same roof with God and the Mother of God.  Imagine that!

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective,” James 5:16. So prayers to St. Joseph must be very powerful and effective. 

            The Catholic Church considers him to the Protector of the Universal Church. He is also the patron of fathers and families having been the protector of the Holy Family.

Apparitions of St. Joseph

There are two-Church approved apparitions in which Joseph appeared:  Knock, Ireland in 1879 and Our Lady of Fatima in 1917.

In Knock, on the evening of August 21, fifteen people witnessed a vision of the Blessed Mother wearing a golden crown, St. John wearing a bishop’s mitre and holding a Bible, and St. Joseph with a gray beard and robed in white.  An altar was behind them with a cross and a lamb on it.  

On October 13, during the final vision in Fatima, St. Joseph appeared holding the baby Jesus. St. Lucia recounted: “When Our Lady disappeared in the immense distance of the sky, next to the sun we saw Saint Joseph holding the Child Jesus and Our Lady dressed in white with a blue mantle. Saint Joseph and the Child seemed to be blessing the world making the sign of the cross.”

St. Joseph’s protection must be great indeed for God to make him the protector of the Holy Family.   Families today are under attack in so many ways.  We need St. Joseph and should remember to call on him.

The Prayer to St Joseph

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God. I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.

Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for Me.

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For more inspiration check out Patti's latest book: Holy Hacks: Everyday Ways to Live Your Faith & Get to Heaven. Other books include:  Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories from Everyday Families and the best-selling Amazing Grace Series.

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