THIRTEENTH VISIT
In the Gospel St. Joseph is called JUST. What is meant by a just man? St. Peter Chrysologus says that " it means a perfect man, one who possesses all virtues." Joseph was already holy before his marriage; but how much must his sanctity have increased after his union with the divine Mother? The example of his holy spouse sufficed to sanctify him. But since Mary, as St. Bernardine of Siena says, is the dispenser of all the graces which God grants to men, in what profusion must we not believe that she showered them down upon her spouse, whom she loved so much, and by whom she was so tenderly loved!
St. Joseph, increase my devotion to Mary.
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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