St Joseph
‘Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you!’
— GENESIS 41:55
St Teresa was miraculously cured by St Joseph of a paralysis that had crippled her for three years as a young sister in the Monastery of the Incarnation. She had a great love and devotion to St Joseph the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father of Jesus.
She writes: “…I don’t know how we can think about the Queen of Angels and about when she went through so much with the Infant Jesus without giving thanks to St Joseph for the good assistance he provided them both with…” (Life c.6)
Her first foundation was dedicated to St Joseph and our Lord assured her that this glorious saint would ‘keep watch at one door and our Lady at the other’ (Life c.32).
“I wish I could persuade everyone to be devoted to this glorious Saint, for I have long experience of the great blessings which he can obtain from God…I only ask for the love of God anyone who does not believe me to try, and they will see the great good that comes from recommending themselves to this glorious patriarch and being devoted to him.” (Life c.6)
Our Lord led St Teresa to understand that just as He was obedient to St Joseph in his earthly life so too in heaven God does whatever he asks. It seemed to St Teresa that with other saints our Lord gives them the grace to help us in one or other of our needs but with St Joseph
“…I have experience that he helps in all our needs…” (Life c.6)
And so she urges prayerful people to attach themselves to St. Joseph saying:
“…Anyone who cannot find a master to teach them to pray should take this glorious saint for their master, and they will not go astray.” (Life c.6)