FIFTEENTH VISIT TO ST. JOSEPH
The apostle writes that in the next life Jesus Christ " will render to every man according to his works" (Rom. ii. 6). What great glory must we not suppose that He bestowed upon St. Joseph, who served and loved Him so much whilst He lived on earth! Our Lord has promised a reward to him who gives a cup of cold water to the poor in His name; what, then, must be the reward of St. Joseph, who can say to Jesus Christ: " I not only provided Thee with food, with a dwelling, and with clothes; but I saved Thee from death, delivering Thee from the hands of Herod"!
St. Joseph, do thou animate our zeal for growing in virtue by the hope of eternal rewards.
Prayer
My holy Patriarch, I rejoice at thy happiness and greatness in being made worthy to have power to command, with the authority of a father, Him Whom heaven and earth obey, and to make Him obey thee. My holy Patron, since a God has served thee, I too wish to enroll myself in thy service; I choose thee, after Mary, for my principal advocate and protector. I promise to honor thee every day by some special devotion, and each day I will place myself under thy protection. Through the sweet company of Jesus and Mary, which thou didst enjoy during life, protect me during my whole life, that I may never be separated from God by losing His grace. And through the assistance which Jesus and Mary gave thee at death, protect me at the hour of my death, that, dying in the company of thee, of Jesus and Mary, I may one day go to thank thee in paradise, and in thy company praise and love thy God to all eternity. Amen.
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