St. Joseph: His Life, His Virtues, His Privileges, His Power
Overview
The Holy Gospels tell us very little about the great patron of the Church, St. Joseph. There are many questions left unanswered by the Bible—for instance, when he was born; how old he was when he espoused the Blessed Virgin; when and where he died and was buried; what became of his remains (of which absolutely no trace has been found). All these points, and many more, are clearly stated in Life of St. Joseph. Included in the volume are daily meditations for Joseph’s holy month in a short form of prayer for personal reflection.
Save more when you purchase this book as part of the St. Joseph Collection.
Key Features
- Immerses you in Joseph’s history and narrative
- Provides daily devotions for Saint Joseph’s holy month
- Links to other books and texts in your library
Top Highlights
“From this Decree, the teaching of the Catholic Church is, first, that the invocation of the Saints is, not absolutely necessary for each one’s salvation, but is ‘good’ and ‘useful;’ secondly, that the aids and helps come to us, not directly from the Saints themselves, hut from God, through their intercession and prayers; thirdly, that Jesus Christ is the sole and only Mediator between God and men, and that the intercession and prayers of the Saints derive all their efficacy and power from Him alone; and hence that the Intercession of the Saints is not injurious to the merits of Christ.” (Page 28)
“The holy Mass is nothing less than the Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. In the holy Mass Jesus descends from heaven; and, to use the words of St. Augustine, ‘becomes incarnate in the priest’s hands as He did in Mary’s womb.’ In the Mass Jesus mystically dies, and sheds His Precious Blood for the Redemption of mankind. ‘The same Christ,’ says the Council of Trent, ‘is contained and immolated (on the altar) in an unbloody manner, who once offered Himself in a bloody manner on the altar of the Cross.… For the Victim is one and the same; the same now offering Himself by the ministry of priests who then offered Himself on the Cross’ (Sess. xxii., Can. 2).” (Pages 6–7)
“The Evangelists,’ writes St. Leonard of Port-Maurice, ‘say but very little of the life and virtues of St. Joseph; but when they call him the spouse of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, they give him the most glorious title possible; for he was nearest to Mary, the purest creature ever made by God Almighty.’ Secondly, St. Joseph was chosen by God to be the guardian and protector of Jesus, as well as of Mary; by the labour of his hands to minister to their wants and comforts, and to be the Head of the Holy Family.” (Pages 17–18)
Praise for the Print Edition
[Saint Joseph’s] life, if well studied, will bring charity, and joy, and peace, and patience, into the cabins of thousands of our poor people who read your exquisite and solidly pious little book.
—Edward MacCabe, cardinal archbishop of Dublin
You have therefore given to us and to the faithful in your excellent book, a store of motives to ask and to confide in his prayers, in the power of which I have both faith, trust, and experience.
—Henry Edward, cardinal archbishop of Westminster
From what I have already been able to read of it, I have formed a high option of the book, and can state that I am satisfied that it is a most valuable manual of devotion to Saint Joseph . . . and a most useful compendium of instructions, meditations, and prayers, suited for all seasons and especially for the month of March.
—Charles Eyre, archbishop of Glasgow
About Thomas H. Kinane
Thomas H. Kinane (1834–1913) was a dean of the Cathedral at Cashel, Ireland, and a professor at Irish College in Paris, France. He wrote a handful of spiritual books, including The Dove of the Tabernacle, The Angel of the Altar, The Lamb of God, and Mary Immaculate.