Excerpt from sermon on St Joseph

[Rich]

Excerpt from sermon on St Joseph

St Bernardine of Siena reflected that St Joseph “is verily the key
which unlocked the treasures of the Church of the Old Testament, for
in his person all the excellence of Patriarchs and Prophets comes to
the completion of achievement, seeing that he alone enjoyed in this
life the full fruition of what God had been pleased to promise
aforetime to them. It is therefore with good reason that we see a type
of him in that Patriarch Joseph who stored up corn for the people. But
the second Joseph has a more excellent dignity than the first, seeing
that the first gave to the Egyptians bread only for the body, but the
second was, on behalf of all the elect, the watchful guardian of that
Living Bread which came down from Heaven, of which whosoever eats will
never die”
-- St Bernardine of Siena (Sermon on St Joseph).

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March 19th - St. John of Panaca, Abbot
6th v.

DURING the monophysite disturbances in the East, a Syrian called John
left his native land and, coming to the West, settled not far from
Spoleto. There he built an abbey of which he became superior, and he
also founded another religious house near Pesaro. An untrustworthy
legend informs us that when the holy man was leaving Syria, he prayed
Lord God of Heaven and earth, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, I
beseech thee, the true light, to enlighten me who hope in thee and to
prosper my way before me, and to let it be to me for a sign of my
resting-place when the person to whom I shall give my psalter shall
not return it to me that same day.“ He landed in Italy and had
travelled as far as the neighbourhood of Spoleto when he met a
handmaid of the Lord, to whom he lent his psalter. When he asked her
to return it, she said, “Where are you going, servant of God? Remain
here and resume your journey to-morrow.” John agreed to tarry the
night, and remembering his prayer he said to himself, “This is indeed
what I asked of the Lord here will I stay.” The next morning he
received back his psalter and had walked the distance of four
bow-shots when there appeared an angel, who led him to a tree under
which he told him to sit, adding that it was the Lord’s will that he
should remain in that place and that there he would have a great
congregation and would find rest.

It was the month of December and the ground was hard with frost, hut
the tree under which John was seated was blossoming like a lily. Some
passing huntsmen asked him whence he came and what he was doing there.
The holy man told them his whole history and they were filled with
astonishment--especially at his clothes, the like of which they had
never seen. “Please do not hurt me, my sons“, said John, “for I have
come here in the service of God.” But the request was unnecessary, as
they had already noticed the tree which was blossoming and recognized
that the Lord was with him. Far from wishing to do him harm they were
eager to announce his arrival to the bishop of Spoleto, who hurried
out to greet him and found him praying under the tree. They wept for
joy when they met, and all who were present gave glory to God. In that
place John built his monastery, and there he lived until forty-four
years later, when he fell asleep in peace and was buried with hymns
and songs.

St. John, who in the Roman Martyrology is said to have built his abbey
“apud Pinnensem civitatem”, appears in the Martyrology of Ado. His
festival is still kept at Spoleto. See the Acta Sanctorum, March, vol.
iii.


Saint Quote:
He who fights even the smallest distractions faithfully when he says
even the very smallest prayer, will also be faithful in great things.
-- Saint Louis de Montfort


Bible Quote:
Wherefore, casting away all uncleanness and abundance of naughtiness,
with meekness receive the ingrafted word, which is able to save your
souls. [Jas 1:21] DRB

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Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt
before the throne of God. I place in you all my interests and desires.
Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain
for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus
Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly
power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of
Fathers.
Oh, St. Joseph, I never grow weary of contemplating you, and Jesus
asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your
heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him
to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of
departing souls, pray for us. Amen.