NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH - EIGHTH DAY

             NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH

                     EIGHTH DAY

            Life of St. Joseph

1. He was the model of the contemplative life, by his interior spirit, by his love of silence, retreat, and prayer. His soul was consumed with love; his sleep was rather an ecstasy than a time of repose.

2. He was a model of the active life, by the assiduous care he took of the Holy Family. Labour and poverty did not disturb the serenity of his soul.

3. He was the model of apostolical life, never wearied of assisting his neighbor, of consoling him in his pains, of enlightening him in his doubts, of instructing him in the law of God, as often as Providence presented him the occasion.

Virtues to imitate in St. Joseph

1. His recollection, and his aversion to all useless conversations.

2. His vigilance and exactitude in acquitting himself of the charge confided to him by God.

3. His zeal in assisting his neighbor, according to the means and opportunities given him by God.

  

        Prayer

Let all the contemplative saints, all the solitaries, all the anchorets learn of thee, glorious patriarch, the art of leading a heavenly life on earth a life of contemplation, of silence, of love, of union with God. Who among them had as lively a faith as thyself, as ardent a charity, and as clear and extensive a knowledge of the mysteries of the redemption? St. John and St. Paul were great contemplatives: the first, because, permitted to repose on the heart of Jesus, he entered into a profound and sweet ecstasy; the second, because he was raised to the third heaven, and there discovered ineffable mysteries. But, glorious Joseph, who could count the ecstasies, the secrets with which thou wast favoured thou who, during so many years, hadst beneath thy eyes and in thy possession the true Paradise in the person of Jesus thou, who didst taste so many times the double happiness of reposing in His heart, true sanctuary of the Divinity, and of making Him repose on thine? What sweet sleep He took within thy arms, and what sweet repose thou didst enjoy when thou didst press Him to thy heart! It is, indeed, from thee that the most perfect souls should learn to direct their flight towards Heaven, and to contemplate the Sun of Justice. But is it not thou, also, who will give to other saints useful lessons on the active and apostolic lives? Thou hadst been for them an accomplished model in the painful labours of thy profession; in thy care of the Holy Family, and thy journeys and pilgrimages; in the instructions, consolations, and the relief thou didst procure for thy neighbor with so much zeal in Egypt and in Nazareth. O, thou most perfect of saints! obtain for me the grace to imitate thee in the interior life. I need more recollection, to pray with more faith and fervour. Thou art, as says St. Teresa, a great master of prayer; deign to admit me among thy disciples, and direct me in the science of the saints, that I may learn upon earth to converse with God, and that I may be thus prepared to glorify Him eternally with thee and with the other blessed in Heaven. Amen.

       Practices during the Day

1. In prayer, overcome spiritual idleness, combat against sleep.

2. Persevere in it, notwithstanding aridity’s, dryness, and distractions.

3. Form the resolution to apply yourself more to the interior life and mental prayer, taking St. Joseph, model of the interior life, for patron.