Let us go to Joseph!

 FEAST of ST JOSEPH 
Patron of the Universal Church
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Protector of the Divine Infant and Mary
March 19

“He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy

guardian and protector of His greatest treasures, namely,

His divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s wife. He carried out this vocation

with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying:

‘Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.’ ”

St. Bernardine of Siena

 

“We all have in him [St. Joseph] as a model and a protector.  As adorers of the Sacramental Jesus, we continue near the Blessed Sacrament his service, his adoration and his love.  He will watch over us and give us his spirit and virtues. Leading us to Jesus, he will say to Him:

‘I cannot be on earth any longer to watch over You and serve You, but bless these adorers who are replacing me; give them the graces You gave me, so that their service may recall and replace mine.’

How happy St Joseph is to see us crowding about Jesus in His Sacrament, feeble, abandoned, persecuted, more in need of defenders and servants than in His Infancy.  St Joseph, be my protector, my model, and my father in my service of Jesus Eucharistic.”

St. Peter Julian Eymard

 

"St Joseph, your life and office were of a priestly function and are especially connected with the Blessed Sacrament.  To some extent you were the means of bringing the Redeemer to us -- as it is the priest's function to bring Him to us in the Mass -- for you reared Jesus, supported, nourished, protected and sheltered Him. 

You were prefigured by the patriarch Joseph, who kept supplies of wheat for his people.  But how much greater than he were you!  Joseph of old gave the Egyptians mere bread for their bodies.  You nourished, and with the most tender care, preserved for the Church Him who is the Bread of Heaven and who gives eternal life in Holy Communion."  From Fifth Day of Novena to St Joseph 

 

"When Egypt was laid waste by the great famine, Pharaoh told his people,

Ite ad Joseph! - Go to Joseph! (Genesis 41:55)

So if we are in trouble, let us listen to the word of the Lord and take Pharaoh's advice; let us go to Joseph if we wish to be consoled." 

St Alphonsus de Ligouri

St Joseph, ora pro nobis!