In many places throughout the world, just like the day following the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Wednesday after the Feast of the Most Chaste Heart of Saint Joseph (which this year falls on Wednesday 2nd July) is also commemorated. It is right and appropriate that this devotion and feastday in honour of the Most Chaste Heart of Saint Joseph also begin to be commemorated in Malta too. This devotion to his Most Chaste Heart is dear to Saint Joseph himself ( See https://facebook/apostolateofstjoseph/photos/a.227452930799339.1073741828.227397687471530/240334386177860/?type=1&theater) Let us pray to the great saint who loved Jesus and Mary more than anyone else, that we learn to love as he loved. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Reflection for the Feast of the Most Chaste Heart of Saint Joseph. Speaking of Saint Joseph in the book of her life, Saint Theresa of Avila (1515-1582) writes: “I took for my patron the most glorious Saint Joseph and I found that this my father and lord not only delivered me both from many great troubles concerning my good and honour as well as my soul, but 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 favours which God has bestowed on me through Saint Joseph, 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 succour us in some of our necessities but of this glorious saint my experience is that he succours 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 greatly devoted to this glorious saint, for I have many 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 many years now I often 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 Saint Joseph and having a strong intimate affectionate devotion to him”. This advice comes from an experienced soul. Follow it! And recur to the intercession of Saint Joseph whenever those whom you love and are so dear to you, are living as though the Infant Divine Child he holds so lovingly in his blessed arms does not exist, leading a life that is contrary to God’s Commandments, as a result of which they are distant from Him and from His Grace. Place them under the care of Saint Joseph, and he will surely not let you down, for he will lead your loved dear ones back to Christ and to know and love Him as he did. ~ Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer (1902-1975).
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 22:45:19 +0000
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