St. Alphonsus Liguori: St. Joseph, Patron of a Happy Death

“Since we all must die, we should cherish a special devotion to St. Joseph, that he may obtain for us a happy death. All Christians regard him as the advocate of the dying who had honored him during their life, and they do so for three reasons:

“First, because Jesus Christ loved him not only as a friend, but as a father, and on this account his mediation is far more efficacious than that of any other Saint.

“Second, because St. Joseph has obtained special power against the evil spirits, who tempt us with redoubled vigor at the hour of death.

“Third, the assistance given St. Joseph at his death by Jesus and Mary obtained for him the right to secure a holy and peaceful death for his servants. Hence, if they invoke him at the hour of death he will not only help them, but he will also obtain for them the assistance of Jesus and Mary.”

~ St. Alphonsus Liguori ~

Fr. Wade Menezes: St. Joseph, an Awesome Model of Holiness

Prayer Choosing St. Joseph as Special Patron and Advocate

O blessed Joseph,

faithful guardian of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ,

protector of thy chaste spouse, the virgin Mother of God,

I choose thee this day to be my special patron and advocate

and I firmly resolve to honor thee all the days of my life.

Therefore I humbly beseech thee to receive me as thy client,

to instruct me in every doubt,

to comfort me in every affliction,
to obtain for me and for all the knowledge and love of the Heart of Jesus,
and finally to defend and protect me at the hour of my death.

Amen.

St. Teresa of Avila Encourages Devotion to St. Joseph

“Would that I could persuade all men to be devoted to this glorious Saint [St. Joseph], for I know by long experience what blessings he can obtain for us from God. I have never known anyone who was truly devoted to him and honored him by particular services who did not advance greatly in virtue: for he helps in a special way those souls who commend themselves to him. It is now very many years since I began asking him for something on his feast, and I have always received it. If the petition was in any way amiss, he rectified it for my greater good . . .

" I ask for the love of God that he who does not believe me will make the trial for himself—then he will find out by experience the great good that results from commending oneself to this glorious Patriarch and in being devoted to him.”

~ St. Teresa of Avila ~

The Shrine of St. Joseph: Church of Miracles

About the Shrine and this documentary video:

In the stillness of its grand and silent Sanctuary, the Shrine of St. Joseph stands as a modern-day witness of faith, perseverance, and commitment. The quiet speaks powerfully to its simple beauty and impressive sense of dignity.

The Shrine of St. Joseph is an extraordinary Catholic shrine in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The majestic and stately appearance of this 19th Century architectural treasure is almost breath taking. The handcrafted wooden statues stand guardians of the historical richness, which is both extraordinary and miraculous.

Since 1864, this church has been the Church of Miracles. A German immigrant, Ignatius Strecker, was healed from terminal illness after he venerated a relic of Peter Claver. This miraculous healing led to the canonization of Peter Claver as a saint of the Catholic Church. Two years later there was another miracle at the church, and then another, and another. How many more miracles have taken place in connection with this church over the past 150 years, no one knows.

Many of this church's supporters say the fact that St. Joseph's is still standing today is a miracle in itself. It has survived declining parish membership, neglect, urban decay, vandalism, and acts of violence within its wall. More than one hundred years after the first miracle, a group of five men began an effort that would ultimately save this church. "The Shrine of St. Joseph: Church of Miracles" is a moving testimony to the faith and commitment of the Friends of St. Joseph to preserve this historic landmark church in a downtown St. Louis neighborhood that is also being rebuilt.

Shrine of Saint Joseph Link

St. Alphonsus Liguori: Pray to St. Joseph for a Happy Death

“Since we all must die, we should cherish a special devotion to St. Joseph, that he may obtain for us a happy death. All Christians regard him as the advocate of the dying who had honored him during their life, and they do so for three reasons:

“First, because Jesus Christ loved him not only as a friend, but as a father, and on this account his mediation is far more efficacious than that of any other Saint.

“Second, because St. Joseph has obtained special power against the evil spirits, who tempt us with redoubled vigor at the hour of death.

“Third, the assistance given St. Joseph at his death by Jesus and Mary obtained for him the right to secure a holy and peaceful death for his servants. Hence, if they invoke him at the hour of death he will not only help them, but he will also obtain for them the assistance of Jesus and Mary.”

~ St. Alphonsus Liguori ~

Saint Joseph, a Just Man

St. Peter Julian Eymard: Enter Into the Heart of Jesus Through St. Joseph

"We have close to us as much as Joseph had at Nazareth;

we have our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, but our poor eyes fail to see Him.

Let us once become interior souls and we shall immediately see.

In no better way can we enter into the Heart of our Lord than through Saint Joseph.

Jesus and Mary are eager to pay the debts which they owe him for his devoted care of them,

and their greatest pleasure is to fulfill his least desire.

Let him, then, lead you by hand into the interior sanctuary of Jesus Eucharistic."

~ St. Peter Julian Eymard ~