‘Admirable Life Of Patriarch Saint Joseph’ by Venerable Mary of Agreda; Chapter IV; ‘THE SUSPICIONS OF ST. JOSEPH INCREASE,’; part I; pages 84-89
[Venerable Mary of Agreda – XVII Century AD; Agreda, Spain; Mystic; Writer; ‘Blue Nun’]“Chapter IV ~ THE SUSPICIONS OF ST. JOSEPH INCREASE, AN) HE RESOLVES TO LEAVE HIS SPOUSE—THE ANGEL OF THE LORD DECLARES TO TIIM THE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION.
ST JOSEPH endeavored to calm the painful agitations of his heart by doing his utmost - remove the conviction of his mind respecting the condition of his wife. But the indications which became every day more visible in her holy person served only to confirm it. The further our Lady advanced, the more amiable, vigorous, active and beautiful she became; and her invincible charms attracted his chaste de | without entirely allaying these conflicting passions. At length all hesitation was at an end ; he could no longer entertain a doubt of the evidence. His ee was conformed to the will of God; nevertheless, through the weakness of the flesh, his spirit was exceedingly sorrowful, and nothing remained to dissipate his sadness, He felt his bodily strength diminish—and, although no particular malady manifested itself, he grew thin, and his countenance bore the marks of deep affliction. And as he preserved silence, not seeking consolation elsewhere, (as men usually do,) the sufferings of the saint were naturally more intense.
The heart of the gentle Mary was penetrated by a sorrow not less profound; but she resolved to redouble her cares for the health of her spouse. She continued to conceal the mystery which she had no command to disclose, in order to honor and to preserve the secret of the celestial King. So far as regarded herself, she left nothing undone to promote his comfort—entreating him to remind her of anything which might contribute to restore his declining health.
She besought him to repose himself, and to partake of some little refreshment; for it was but right to supply the wants of the body, in order to obtain strength to labor for the Lord. St. Joseph, attentive to every movement of his spouse, and sensible of the holy effects of her conversation and presence, said within himself: “Is it possible that a woman so holy, in whom the grace of God is so perceptible, can cast me into such perplexity? What can I find to equal her, if [ leave her? Where find consolation, if she fail me? But all these trouble me even less than the infamy that may result from this unhappy affair; or that I should give cause to believe that I have been the accomplice of a crime. If I make myself the author of her condition, it will be a falsehood unworthy of an honorable man, and opposed to my conscience and my reputation. In such a state of embarrassment what shall Ido? The least evil that can happen is to absent myself— to leave the house.”
Our blessed Lady, being sincerely afflicted by the resolution which her spouse’ had just taken, addressed herself to the angels of her guard, “You,” she said, “who obey with promptitude all the commands of the Lord, listen now to my prayers. Prevent my spouse, I conjure you, from executing this intention which he has made to absent himself from me.”
The angels obeyed their queen, and silently conveyed many holy inspirations to the heart of St. Joseph. They persuaded him anew of the sanctity and perfection of his spouse—that God was incomprehensible in His works, and impenetrable in His judgments, and that He was most faithful to those who trust in Him.
The agitated spirit of St. Joseph was somewhat soothed by these inspirations, although he knew not from whence they came, nor by what order he received them. Yet as the cause of his grief remained, he always sank again into sadness, and returned to his first resolution to desert his spouse. Then our blessed Lady addressed herself directly to her Son whom she bore in her virginal bosom. “It would not be becoming,” said she, “ that thy servant should be without a husband who assists and shelters her from calumnies: do not permit him to execute his design to abandon me.” The Most High replied: ‘I will speedily console my servant Joseph, and after I shall have declared to him, through my angel, the mystery of which he is ignorant, you may speak with him concerning it. I will fill him with my spirit, and enable him to accomplish all that he should do in these mysteries. He shall aid and assist you under all circumstances.”
The august Mary comprehended how important it was that St. Joseph should have to endure this affliction, by which his spirit was exercised and prepared for the great charge that was to be confided to him. He had now passed two months of suffering, and, overcome by his apprehensions, he exclaimed: ‘I find no remedy for my grief but absence. I acknowledge that my spouse is perfect, but it is not possible for me to penetrate the mystery of her condition, and I will not insult her virtue by subjecting her to the penalties-of the law. I will depart forthwith.” The saint resolved to set out during the night. He therefore prepared a small packet of clothing. Having received a trifling sum of money which was due to him for work, he determined to leave the house after midnight. But as he was accustomed to meditate, he reflected on the importance of the undertaking. “Great God,” he exclaimed, “of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the sorrow which breaks my heart is not hidden from Thy divine clemency.
Thou knowest, besides, O Lord, (though in other things I am not free from sin,) my innocence touching the subject of my grief. I choose the lesser evil in quitting my spouse, and go to end my days in some desert, there to abandon myself entirely to the care of Thy providence. Forsake me not, for I desire only what is for Thy glory.”
St. Joseph prostrated himself, and made a vow to offer at the temple of Jerusalem a part of the small sum which he had reserved for his journey, praying the Lord to defend his spouse from calumny, and preserve her from all evil. Such was the great rectitude of this man of God, and such the esteem which he preserved for our blessed Lady. After this prayer, he took a little repose, intending to depart without seeing her. Our blessed Lady, from her oratory, observed all that St. Joseph did, er proposed to do; for the Most High revealed it to her.
The Divine Majesty permitted that the Blessed Virgin and her holy spouse should endure these interior sufferings, in order that, besides the merits which so long a martyrdom would procure for them, the succor of the divine consolations should be to them more admirable and more remarkable. The august Mary practised many virtues during this period, whereby she teaches us to hope for relief from the Most High in the greatest afflictions. And what an example is not that of St. Joseph! No one had ever stronger grounds of suspicion, nor more of discretion to control his judgment than he.”
Image: Georges de la Tour ~ St Joseph the Carpenter, (oil on canvas)