‘Admirable Life Of Patriarch Saint Joseph’ by Venerable Mary of Agreda; Chapter I; ESPOUSALS OF THE CHASTE ST. JOSEPH WITH THE BLEESED VIRGIN; pages 55-58
[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 the poor, to which the saint consented.
During these first days, St. Joseph, by a new light from above, had penetrated the character of his spouse. Her rare prudence, her profound humility, her incomparable purity, and her possession of every virtue beyond all that he could have hoped, enraptured him with admiration. With g spirit full of joy, and his heart inflamed with ardent affection, he ceased not to praise the Lord, and to offer Him thanks for having bestowed on him so unmerited a treasure. ‘The Lord had also so ordered that the Queen of Heaven, by her mien and by her presence, inspired her spouse with such mingled sentiments of reverence and respect, that we find no terms to express them. To the eyes of St. Joseph a radiant splendor shone from the lineaments of our Lady, like that of Moses when he descended from the mount.
Afterwards, in a vision, the blessed Virgin heard these words: ‘You perceive how faithful I am in my promises: the companionship of my servant Joseph will aid you to preserve the laws of my spouse; obey him as you ought, and be careful of his happiness.” She replied: ‘With the divine favor and help, I will obey Thy servant Joseph, and serve him.”
Their marriage had been celebrated on the 8th of September, and until the 25th of March, when the Word became Incarnate, the two spouses had lived in such wise that the Most High prepared them for the work for which they had been chosen. )
But let us pause to express our joy on witnessing the fortunate destiny of the happiest among mortals, St. Joseph. Whence comes to thee, O man of God, so eminent a benediction, that among all the children of Adam it can be said of thee alone that God has been so entirely thine that He was taken for thy Son? The Eternal Father gives thee His daughter; the Son — places His own Mother in thy charge; the Holy Spirit confides to thee His Spouse, and places thee in His stead, and the Holy Trinity gives thee His elect, His only one, fer thy lawful spouse. Great saint, dost thou then comprehend all thy dignity? dost thou fathom all thy great- ness? Dost thou know that she whom thou hast just received as thy wife is Queen and Mis- tress of heaven and earth, and that thou art the depositary of the inestimable treasures of God himself? Behold, O man of God, the precious pledge thou hast, and know that if thou dost not render the Angels and the Seraphim envious, thy happiness, and the wonderful mystery of thine espousals excite their wondering admiration. For such joys and favors receive congratulations in the name of the whole human race. For thou art the spouse of her who has only God above her. Thou shalt be powerful and happy among men and angels. Be mindful of our poverty and wretchedness, and of me, miserable worm of the earth, for I desire to be thy faithful servant, and to be enriched and favored by thy powerful protection.”
Image: Peter Paul Rubens - The Holy Family with St. Elisabeth and St. John the Baptist
Music: Franz Schubert - Ave Maria · Leontyne Price – 1959
>>> youtube.com/watch?v=tb_TAMoXaT0