The book, The Month of St. Joseph, presents daily considerations for the month of March in the form of meditations and practical examples. The example for today is as follows.

______________________

EXAMPLE

The following interesting fact, which is related in the “History of the Order of Reformed Carmelites,” as having occurred to Brother John the Evangelist of the same order, may serve to illustrate the zeal and charity of St. Joseph in assisting those who are devoted to him.

“I was going,” said the Brother, “from the convent of the Carmelite Nuns of the Pilastro del Toro, accompanied by Brother Peter of the Incarnation, who was procurator of the Convent of the Holy Martyrs of Granada, when we met a man about fifty years of age, of pleasing countenance; his appearance was noble and venerable, and he was attired in black. He placed himself between us and asked whence we came? My companion answered, that we had just left the Convent of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns.

“Father,” said the stranger, “can you tell me why your order is so devoted to St. Joseph?”

The Religious replied, “Because our holy Mother Teresa of Jesus so greatly honored that glorious Saint, who most wonderfully assisted her in the foundation of her convents, and obtained for her from Heaven so many special graces, that through gratitude to him she dedicated the greater number of the convents she founded to his honor,”

“I am aware of that,” said the stranger. “Look at me, and learn from her example to honor him as much as she did. Whatsoever you shall ask through his intercession you shall most certainly obtain.”

Having said this he disappeared, and on looking round we saw no one. On returning to our convent, where the blessed Father John of the Cross was Prior, we related to him what had happened.

“The stranger,” he said, “was no other than St. Joseph; it was for me more than for you this apparition was intended, as I have not honored this great Saint as much as I should have done; but I will endeavor to profit by the favor conferred on you.” This occurred in the year 1584.

______________________

This anecdote comes from the Month of St. Joseph by Abbé Berlioux, originally published in English in the year 1887. This book contains meditations and an example story for each day of the month. In an effort to preserve short inspiring stories from our Catholic past, every day for the month of March you can find the example story for the day published on the website under people/stories.

The same author also published similar books for the months of, May (Our Lady), June (Sacred Heart), and November (Holy Souls). We are planning to post the stories for these months in the future and are working with Mediatrix Press to re-publish these as a four book collection, so be sure to check back. The Month of St. Joseph is available now.