FOURTH DAY
Sanctity of
St. Joseph
Joseph, her
husband, was a just man. - St. Matthew 1:19
According to the
opinion of a great many doctors, he was sanctified from the womb of his mother;
and he is the first saint to whom the Holy Ghost gave, in the Gospel, the name
of Just, wishing to make us understand that he possessed the plenitude of all
virtues.
His sanctity was
proportioned to his dignity of spouse of Mary, of representative of the Eternal
Father, guardian and foster-father of God made man.
No other saint
approached so near, and for so long a time, to the Source of all sanctity. He
advanced always from virtue to virtue, under the eyes of Jesus and Mary, his
models.
Virtues to imitate in St.
Joseph
His purity of
heart, which was never sullied by sin.
His detachment
from all created objects.
His continual
desire to increase in sanctity.
Prayer
How admirably does
the title of Just suit thee, blessed Joseph, since thou didst receive it from
the Holy Ghost Himself, who can neither be deceived nor deceive! Yes, thou art
just, because grace and sanctity met and were united in thee, even before thy
birth. Thou art just by excellence, because God gave thee sanctity proportioned
to the eminence of thy dignity, that thou mightest suitably represent the
Eternal Father in the care thou wouldst take of His Son, and the Holy Ghost in
the alliance which would unite thee to the Immaculate Virgin. But how much more
worthy didst thou not become of so glorious a charge by adding unceasingly to
the primitive sanctity with which God had favoured thee, and by enriching
thyself, each day, with new merits, by the exercise of all virtues I Thou hadst
constantly before thee the two models of perfect sanctity, Jesus and Mary.
Couldst thou do otherwise than study them unceasingly and retrace them in thy
actions? I honour and revere that eminent sanctity which distinguishes thee
among all the saints; but that my homage may contribute at the same time to thy
glory and my spiritual good, obtain, my protector and father, that from today I
may truly dispose myself to receive of God that precious gift of sanctity
without which I can neither be pleasing in His eyes nor in thine. Amen.
Devotions during the Day
Examine your
conscience more exactly, to discover the defects in you opposed to sanctity.
Frequent acts of
contrition to purify your heart.
Some salutary
penance to punish yourself for the little desire you have had till now of your
perfection.
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