‘Admirable Life Of Patriarch Saint Joseph’ by Venerable Mary of Agreda; Chapter I; ESPOUSALS OF THE …

[Venerable Mary of Agreda – XVII Century AD; Agreda, Spain; Mystic; Writer; ‘Blue Nun’]
“In his youth St. Joseph had learned the carpenter’s trade, as being one of the most useful to gain a livelihood, for he was without property. He inquired of his saintly spouse if she would consent that he should practise this trade to gain something for the poor, and also as a means to avoid idleness. The most prudent Virgin consented, and reminded St. Joseph that it was not the will of God they should be rich, but poor, and protectors of the poor, so far as their abilities permitted. After this, the two holy spouses had an humble dispute, in which each wished to obey the other as superior. But the most humble Mary, who was the humblest of the humble, was victorious in her humility, _and the man being the head, she would not permit the order of nature to be reversed. She therefore obtained the consent of her husband to receive her obedience in all things. She asked only permission to give alms to …More