https://archive.org/stream/admirablejoseph00dejeuoft/admirablejoseph00dejeuoft_djvu.txt
CHAPTER [1].
8T. JOSEPH DISCOVERS THAT MARY IS ABOUT TO BECOME
A MOTHER, WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO PENETRATE THE
MYSTERY. HE ENDURES GREAT SUFFERINGS ON THIS.
ACCOUNT.
T’ was about five months since the eternal
Word had become incarnate in the chaste
bosom of the Virgin Mary, when St. Joseph be-
gan to observe indications of it, and to entertain
suspicions. It was the more apparent, because
_ the proportions of her pure form were so perfect,.
that the least change was perceptible. Deeply
concerned and anxious, St. Joseph, as he one
day observed her.coming forth from her oratory,
perceived that it was no longer possible to
doubt the testimony of his own eyes. The heart
of the man of God was penetrated with profound
sorrow, and he was unable to resist the harrow-
ing reflections that tormented his spirit.
It may not be without utility or interest. to
notice some of these reflections, which increased
the violence of his great affliction. In the first
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74 LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH.
place, he entertained a most chaste and sincere
love for his faithful spouse, to whom, since the
commencement of their union, he had devoted
all the tenderness of his heart. Besides, his de-
sire to serve her was augmented from day to
day by the unequalled holiness and attractive
manners of our blessed Lady. Our saint, there-
fore, was impelled, by a desire natural to his
love, to find a response to it on her part. The
Lord so ordered it, that, from this same desire,
the holy Joseph was still more careful to serve
and respect our blessed Mistress.
Thus St. Joseph fulfilled with great zeal his
obligations as a most faithful husband and guard-
ian of the mystery which, as yet, was hidden
from him. But the more assiduous he was to
serve, to honor his spouse while bearing for her
a love, so pure, chaste, holy, and just, the more
eager was his desire that she should reciprocate
his affection. Nevertheless he did not disclose
this internal conflict; either because of the re-
spect produced by the humble majesty of his
spouse, or because in witnessing the discreet de-
portment of Mary—her sweet converse, and her
more than angelic purity—the revelation would
have been too painful.
At the view of what was become so evident,
he was lost in amazement. Still, though con: ~
LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH. Q5
vinced, he would not allow his imagination tc
go beyond appearances. Being a just and holy
man, and seeing the fact, he suspended his judg-
ment without entering into the cause. What an
example for us! It is most probable that if he
had been convinced of the culpability of his
wife, the violence of his grief would have put
an end to his existence. In the second place,
his reflections reminded him that he had had no
agency in this condition which was but too
apparent. Dishonor was inevitable when it
should become known; and, as St. Joseph was
of a generous and noble heart, this apprehen-
sion gave him great pain. Besides, he considered,
with rare prudence, the affliction that their own
infamy would bring upon them if the matter
came to be divulged.
But that which caused the greatest grief of
all to the holy spouse, was the fear that his wife
would be stoned, according to the law which
ordered this punishment; for he could not make
himself an accomplice to hide the crime, if it
existed. All these considerations pierced the
heart of St. Joseph with the deepest grief, in
which he found no consolation except in the ir-
reproachable conduct of his spouse. Still, on the
other hand, though appearances convinced him,
he could neither find means of excuse, nor even
76 LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH.
dare to communicate the subject of his grief to
any human being. Our saint was then like one
environed by the sorrows of death, and he felt
the force of the words ‘Jealousy is as cruel as hell.”
He would have sought some alleviation for his
pains in spiritual consolation, but grief suspend-
ed the powers of his soul. If his reason in-
clined to follow the suspicions suggested by his
senses, the reflections that he made on the tried
holiness of his most wise and prudent spouse
caused them to vanish like ice in the heat of the
sun, or smoke before the wind. If he strove to
_check the affections of his chaste love, it was im-
possible, since he found his spouse always more
worthy of being loved. And although the truth
was concealed from him, she had more power to
attract, than the seeming deception of her infi-
delity to repel him. The sacred ties of love
could not be rent asunder, because they reposed
on the solid foundations of truth, reason, and
justice.
Our saint did not then judge it expedient to
declare his grief to his blessed spouse: added
to this, the gravity, ever equal and divinely
humble, which he saw in her, did not permit
him to take this hberty; for, although he saw
marks s>? unequivocal, a conduct so pure and
holy as hers could ill accord with infidelity,
LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH. "7
Such a fault could not in any manner he compat-
ible with so much purity, holiness and discre-
tion; nor with that assemblage of graces whose
growth was each day more visible in the august
Mary.
In these perplexities the saintly husband ad-
dressed himself to God in prayer. Placing him-
self in His presence, ‘Eternal God and my
Lord,” he said, “my desires and my groanings
are not hidden from Thy divine Majesty. I find
myself struggling with violent agitations, I have
given my heart to the spouse which I received
from Thy hands, I have trusted in her purity,
but the strange appearances which I discover in
her cast me into the most afflicting perplexity.
It would be rash to think that she had been un-
faithful and had offended Thee, seeing in her
such great purity and so eminent a holiness. It
is, nevertheless, impossible to deny the evidence
of my senses, and sorrow must destroy me un-
less there be here some mystery that I have not
discovered. Reason exculpates, but the senses
condemn her. I see plainly that she conceals
from me the cause of her condition. What shall
Ido? Isuspend my judgment, ignorant of the
cause of what I see. Receive, O God of Abra-
ham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, my sighs and my
tears, as an acceptable sacrifice. I cannot believe
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78 LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH.
that Mary has offended Thee; but, also, being
her husband, I cannot presume the existence of
any mystery of which I can be unworthy.”
Saint Joseph persevered in his suyplications
and united with them many other affections and
prayers. He thought there must be in all this
some mystery, but his humility hindered him
from being assured on this point. All the rea:
sons that presented themselves in favor of the ho-
liness of our most sweet Lady, contributed only
to persuade him that she had committed no fault.
At the same time the saint never thought of her
being the mother of the Messiah, for he could not
have believed himself worthy to be her spouse.
Sometimes he suspended his suspicions, at
others appearances augmented them. Some-
times he was overwhelmed by agitation; some-
times in an aching calm, without power to resolve
or to believe any thing. He could neither van-
quish his doubts nor appease his heart, nor find
that certitude of which he had so much need, to
regulate his conduct and to calm his mind. And
thus it was that the sufferings of the Holy Patri-
arch were so cruel. They serve as evident proofs
of his incomparable prudence and sanctity, and
they gained him such merits before God as to
render him worthy of the favors he was uw
to receive.
LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH. "9
Through the knowledge and iafused light
which she possessed, our blessed Lady saw all .
that passed in the breast of St. Joseph. But,
though filled with tenderness and compassion for
the sufferings of her spouse, she spoke not on
the subject of his pain, but contented herself to
serve him with submission and exactitude, be-
cause it was not proper to disclose the secret of
the great King, without an express command
from the Lord.
During this period, while he was in ignorance
of the mystery of his spouse, St. Joseph thought
it his duty to maintain his superiority, yet with
great moderation. In this he imitated the an-
cient Patriarchs, from whom he would not de-
generate, whose wives were very submissive,
Although just and good, he therefore allowed
himself to be served and honored by the blessed
Virgin after their espousals, preserving in all
things his authority as chief, which he sweet:
ened by his rare humility and great prudence.
And he would have had cause for this if our
Lady had been like other women. On her part,
the august Mary was most submissive ard obe-
dient to her husband, and, although she was
above all, none ever equalled her in these. She
served her spouse with an incomparable respect
and promptitude, and thus she gave oppor:
80 LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH.
tunities to our saint, while she served him at
the table, or occupied herself in other domes-
tic affairs, to observe her closely, and, to the
great affliction of his soul, assure himself more
positively of the truth. It was impossible that
in her actions the signs of her condition should
not be more evident, but this did not hinder her
in hertasks. She desired neither to excuse nor to
justify herself, because this would not have ac-
corded with the truth, nor with her angelical can-
dor, nor with the grandeur and generosity of her
most noble heart; and the pains of St. Joseph
found no alleviation. The queen of heaven
could easily have alleged the truth of her irre-
proachable innocence—have exculpated herself,
and relieved St. Joseph of his pain by disclosing
the mystery, but she would not hazard the jus- |
tification of so mysterious a truth upon her own
testimony, and, with great wisdom, she aban-
doned herself to the Divine Providence. She
strove to console and please him in all things,
often asking what he would have her to do.
Many times she served him on her knees, and
although these loving ways might in some sort
console the saintly spouse, they gave him, a!so,
additional causes of affliction in considering the
many motives to love and esteem her who
plunged him in such perplexity.
LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH. 81
St. Joseph could not entirely conceal his
grief: thus he often found himself pensive,
sad, and in reverie. Pre-occupied by his sor-
rows, he sometimes spoke to his spouse with more
harshness than formerly. But this was neither
from indignation nor vengeance, for he had no
such thought—it was merely the effect insepara-
ble from a wounded heart. Our most prudent
Lady, on her part, changed nothing in her sweet
- manners; on the contrary, she took greater pains
than ever to comfort her spouse. She served
him at table, or offered him a seat. Without
doubt, this painful season was one of those which
most exercised not only St. Joseph but our
blessed Lady. Our incomparable queen offered
continual supplications for her spouse to the
Most High, that He would vouchsafe to regard
and console him. In order better to understand
the profound humility and the sublime wisdom
of the august Mary in these circumstances, it
should be understood that the Lord had not
commanded her to keep the secret of the mys-
tery of the incarnation. He did not even dis-
close His will on this point with as much clear-
ness as in other matters. It seemed that the
Lord left all to the wisdom and to the divine
virtues of His Elected one.
Thus the divine Providence gave caccasion to
a LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH.
the most pure Mary, and to her most faithful
spouse, to exercise by heroic actions, each ac-
cording to their capacity, the virtues and gifts
which He had allotted them. He was pleased,
thus to say, to witness the faith, the hope, the
love, the humility of these upright hearts in
the midst of so poignant an affliction. The
Lord seemed deaf, according to our manner of
speaking, for His greater glory, in order to give
to the world this example of sanctity and pru-
dence. He waited until the proper time to
speak wascome. Let us understand from this the
designs of God and His secret ways with the
souls whom He cherishes, and whom He would
render capable to receive His favors and His
gifts. We ought to use every effort, and employ
all our care to acquire efficaciously a true resigna-
tion to this divine Providence. If men only
knew the loving care of this Father of mercy,
they would be happy to forget themselves,
and cease to plunge into cares at once burden-
some, useless, and dangerous. It is of the utmost
importance to the creature to let himself be
guided by the hand of the Lord, because men
are ignorant of His operations, and the ends to
which they are to be led by them.
If God were susceptible of being touched like
men, by pain or jealousy, He would suffer, in
LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH. 683
perceiving that His own creatures desire to seek
the least thing in any other than himself. The
Lord regards the actions of men; He corrects
their faults with love; He foresees their desires ;
He protects them in danger; He fortifies them in
their trials; He assists them in afflictions. None
can resist Him, or hinder His will. Ile executes
what He can; He can execute all that He wills,
and He will give himself entirely to the just
who is in His grace and confides in Him alone.
Who can conceive the greatness and the nature
of the gifts which He pours into hearts disposed
to receive them!
Let us leave all to His providence, for the Most
High will give us whatever is most sure and ne-
eessary for our salvation. Except the pains which
the august Mary endured from those which
were suffered by her most Holy Son, the most
severe of all her life were caused by the afflic-
tions and perplexities of St. Joseph in the cir-
cumstances which we have just related.
84 : LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH.
CHAPTER JV.
THE SUSPICIONS OF ST. JOSEPH INCREASE, AN) HE RESOLVES
TO LEAVE HIS SPOUSE—THE ANGEL OF THE LORD DE-
_CLARES TO TIIM THE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION.
Gr JOSEPH endeavored to calm the painful
agitations of his heart by doing his utmost -
remove the conviction of his mind respecting
the condition of his wife. But the indications
which became every day more visible in her
holy person served only to confirm it. The
further our Lady advanced, the more amiable,
vigorous, active and heansiful she became; and
ba sryineii charms attracted his chaste de |
without entirely allaying these conflicting c.
sions. At length all hesitation was at an end ;
he could no longer entertain a doubt of the
evidence. His ee was conformed to the will
of God; nevertheless, through the weakness of
.the dosh, his spirit was exceedingly sorrowful,
and nothing remained to dissipate his sadness,
He felt his bodily strength diminish—and, al-
LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH. $5
though no particular malady manifested itself,
he grew thin, and his countenance bore the
marks of deep affliction. And as he preserved
silence, not seeking consolation elsewhere, (as
men usually do,) the sufferings of the saint were
naturally more intense.
The heart of the gentle Mary was penetrated
by a sorrow not less profound; but she resolved
to redouble her cares for the health of her
spouse. She continued to conceal the mystery
which she had no command to disclose, in order
to honor and to preserve the secret of the celes-
tial King. So far as regarded herself, she left
nothing undone to promote his comfort—en-
treating him to remind her of any thing which
might contribute to restore his declining health.
She besought him to repose himself, and to
partake of some little refreshment; for it was
but right to supply the wants of the body, in
order to obtain strength to labor for the Lord.
St. Joseph, attentive to every movement of
his spouse, and sensible of the holy effects of
her conversation and presence, said within him-
“self: “Is it possible that a woman so holy, in
whom the grace of God is so perceptible, can
cast me into such perplexity? What can I
find to equal her, if [ leave her? Where find
censolation, if she fail me? Dut all these
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86 LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH.
trouble me even less than the infamy that may
result from this unhappy affair; or that I should
give cause to believe that I have been the
accomplice of acrime. If I make myself the
author of her condition, it will be a falsehood
unworthy of an honorable man, and opposed to
my conscience and my reputation. In such a
state of embarrassment what shall Ido? The
least evil that can happen is to absent myself—
to leave the house.” |
Our blessed Lady, being sincerely afflicted
by the resolution which her spouse’ had just
taken, addressed herself to the angels of her
guard, “You,” she said, “who obey with
promptitude all the commands of the Lord,
listen now to my prayers. Prevent my spouse,
I conjure you, from executing this intention
which he has made to absent himself from me.”
The angels obeyed their queen, and silently con-
veyed many holy inspirations to the heart of
St. Joseph. They persuaded him anew of the
sanctity and perfection of his spouse—that God
was incomprehensible in His works, and im-
penetrable in His judgments, and that He was
inost faithful to those who trust in Him.
The agitated spirit of St. Joseph was some-
what soothed by these inspirations, although he
knew not from whence they came, nor by what
LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH. 87
order he received them. Yet as the cause of
his grief remained, he always sank again into
sadness, and returned to his first resolution to
desert his spouse. Then our blessed Lady ad-
dressed herself directly to her Son whom she
bore in her virginal bosom. “It would not be
becoming,” said she, “ that thy servant should be
without a husband who assists and shelters her
from calumnies: do not permit him to execute
his design to abandon me.” The Most High
replied: ‘I will speedily console my servant
Joseph, and after I shall have declared to him,
through my angel, the mystery of which he is
ignorant, you may speak with him concerning
it. I will fill him with my spirit, and enable
him to accomplish all that he should do in these
mysteries. He shall aid and assist you under
all circumstances.”
The august Mary comprehended how im-
portant it was that St. Joseph should have to
endure this affliction, by which his spirit was
exercised and prepared for the great charge that
was to be confided to him. He had now passed
two months of suffering, and, overcome by his
apprehensions, he exclaimed: ‘I find no remedy
for my grief but absence. I acknowledge that
my spouse is perfect, but it is not possible for
me to penetrate the mystery of her conditicn,
88 LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH.
and I will not insult her virtue by subjecting
her to the penalties-of the law. I will depart
forthwith.” The saint resolved to set out during
the night. He therefore prepared a small packet
of clothing. Having received a trifling sum of
money which was due to him for work, he deter-
mined to leave the house after midnight. But as
he was accustomed to meditate, he reflected on
the importance of the undertaking. “Great
God,” he exclaimed, “of our fathers Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob, the sorrow which breaks my
heart is not hidden from Thy divine clemency.
Thou knowest, besides, O Lord, (though in other
things I am not free from sin,) my innocence
touching the subject of my grief. I choose the
lesser evil in quitting my spouse, and go to end
my days in some desert, there to abandon myself
entirely to the care of Thy providence. Forsake
me not, for I desire only what is for Thy glory.”
St. Joseph prostrated himself, and made a
vow to offer at the temple of Jerusalem a part
of the small sum which he had reserved for his
journey, praying the Lord to defend his spouse
from calumny, and preserve her from all evil.
Such was the great rectitude of this man of
God, and such the esteem which he preserved
for our blessed Lady. After this prayer, he took
a little repose, intending to depart without seeing
LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH. 89
her. Our blessed Lady, from her oratory, ob-
served all that St. Joseph did, er proposed to
do; for the Most High revealed it to her.
The Divine Majesty permitted that the Blessed
Virgin and her holy spouse should endure
these interior sufferings, in order that, besides the
merits which so long a martyrdom would pro-
cure for them, the succor of the divine consola-
tions should be to them more adinirable and
more remarkable. The august Mary practised
many virtues during this period, whereby she
teaches us to hope for relief from the Most
High in the greatest afflictions. And what an
example is not that of St. Joseph! No one had
ever stronger grounds.of suspicion, nor more of
discretion to control his judgment than he.
The passion of jealousy produces sharp wounds
in him who is attacked by it, and no one ever
felt its effects so sensibly as St. Joseph, though,
in fact, there was no foundation for it, if he had
but known the truth. He was endowed with a
singular intelligence to penetrate the sanctity
and the lovely character of his spouse. But
this, in augmenting his esteem for her whom he
was about to lose, augmented his sorrow to find
himself necessitated to abandon her.
St. Joseph was not subject to the disorders of
common jealousy, in which the passions of con-
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90 LIFE OF ST. JOSEPH.
cupiscence are engaged, which neither reason
nor prudence can vanquish. The jealousy of
the saint arose only from the depth of his love
and a conditional suspicion, viz.: whether his
chaste spouse reciprocated his affection; for a
pledge so dear as the affection of a wife must
not be shared by any other. When love is so
well founded, the chains that cement it are very
strong, and the more so because there are fewer
imperfections to weaken them. There was nothing
in our sweet Lady which could diminish the love
of her spouse. On the contrary, all that she
had received from grace and from nattrre gave
him new subjects every day to strengthen his
affection.
After the saint had offered the prayer, of
which we have already made mention, he fell
asleep in this sadness, which had sunk into
dejection. He was sure that he should awake
in time to depart at midnight, without being
seen, as he thought, by his spouse. Our Lady,
on her part, awaited the remedy, and earnestly
sought it by her humble prayers. She was con-
soled by her assurance that the pains of her
spouse had now reached their highest degree—
the hour of merey and consolation for that sor-
rowing heart could not long tarry, and her desires
would soon be accomplished. And now the
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