Prayer Request
In the Book of Genesis we read about the great mission Joseph, the lost son of Jacob who was sold as a slave to fulfill God's special plan of salvation. Joseph, a slave sold to Egypt became the ruler of the land of Egypt, authority next to the king of Egypt. At the time of famine, Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians "Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do" (Gen 41:55b). Then the word of God says that Joseph opened all the store houses for the Egyptians. Moreover all the earth too came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain. This historical event was the prefiguration of what will happen in the future in the New Testament. The church of Christ is totally assured that she will never fail if she goes to st. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus in all her needs, physical as well as spiritual. As we know the numerous congregations, institutes, charitable trusts and Christian institutions which are dedicated to the honor of St. Joseph, we need not exclaim the great devotion of our Holy Mother St. Teresa to the glorious St. Joseph, the patron of our Order.
Joseph was a just man. This phrase bestowed by the Holy Spirit, and the privilege of having been chosen by god to be the foster father of Jesus and the spouse of virgin Mother are the foundations of the honor paid to St. Joseph by the church. So well-grounded are these foundations that it is not a little surprising that the cult of St. Joseph was so slow in winning recognition.
For the reformed Order of Carmelites St. Teresa had infused her great devotion to the foster father of Jesus, chose him in 1621, for their patron, and in 1689 were allowed to celebrate the feast of his patronage on the 3rd Sunday after Easter. This feast soon adapted to the Spanish Kingdom, was later extended to all states and dioceses. In the 19th century this feast has grown so universal.
Our Holy Mother's devotion to St. Joseph was more tender and delicate. She calls him as the father of her soul. In her spiritual life, she is totally assured that she will find help in all her difficulties the special help of this great Saint. Moreover she recommend all to be devoted to him especially persons who want to progress in prayer. She says that Joseph as a foster father commanded the little Infant Jesus, and so God surely will hear whatever St. Joseph commands. Now let us go through the words of our Holy Mother Teresa in the Book of her life Chapter six:
"I took for my advocate and lord the glorious St. Joseph and earnestly recommended myself to him. I so clearly that as in this need so in other greater ones concerning honor and loss of souls this father and lord of mine came to my rescue in better ways than I knew how to ask for. I don't recall up to this day ever having petitioned him for anything that he failed to grant. It is an amazing thing the great many favors God granted me through the mediation of this blessed Saint, the dangers I was freed from both of body and soul. For with other Saints it seems the Lord has given them grace to be of help in one need, whereas with this glorious saint I have experienced that he helps in all our needs and that the Lord wants us to understand that just as He was subject to St. Joseph on earth - for since bearing the title of father, being the lord's tutor, Joseph could give the Child commands - so in heaven God does whatever he commands. This has been observed by other persons, also through experience, whom I have told to recommend them to him. And so there are many who in experiencing this truth renew their devotion to him".
"I endeavored to celebrate his feast with all the solemnity possible. Because of my impressive experience of the goods this glorious saint obtains from God, I had the desire to persuade all to be devoted to him. I have not known anyone truly devoted to him and rendering him special services that has not advanced more in virtue. For in a powerful way he benefits souls who recommend themselves to him. It seems to me that for some years now I have asked him for something on his feast day, and my petitions always granted. If the request is somewhat out of line, he rectifies it for my greater good. If I were a person who had authority for writing I would willingly and in a very detailed way enlarge upon what I am saying about the favors this glorious saint did for me and for others. But so as to do no more than what they gave me the command to do, I will be briefer in many matters than I desire, more extensive in others than necessary - in sum, like one who has little discretion in anything that is good. I only ask for the love of God anyone who does not believe me to try, and he will see through experience the great good that comes from recommending oneself to this glorious patriarch and being devoted to him. Especially persons of prayer should always be attached to him. For I don't know how one 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 then provided them both with. Anyone who cannot find a master to teach him prayer should take this glorious Saint for his master, and he will not go astray."
