Saint Joseph, singular in his role as Jesus’ foster father and Mary’s spouse, is revered for his virtues and divine missions. He embodies the ideal of fatherhood with his presence, strength, and unwavering faith. Theologians and saints, including Saint Teresa of Avila, have long esteemed his powerful intercession and exemplary life, marking him as a protector of families and a beacon for fathers.
Throughout the centuries, countless souls have experienced the power of Saint Joseph’s intercession. These two stories, one anecdotal and the other personal, illustrate the unwavering support and guidance this beloved saint offers to those who seek his help.
Story One: A Visitation from Saint Joseph?
As a child, I was blessed to have a monsignor in my life who not only personally gave me my First Holy Communion but also played a pivotal role in shaping my early spiritual journey. His stories and wisdom laid the cornerstone in my formative years, but one story in particular has remained etched in my memory.
One afternoon, a knock at the door brought the monsignor face-to-face with a man seeking urgent help. This stranger requested immediate assistance for a fallen priest – a man who had succumbed to the struggles of alcoholism and strayed from his ministry.
Driven by a strong sense of duty and compassion, the monsignor readily agreed to accompany the stranger.
Before they set out, the monsignor stopped by the church to retrieve the Eucharist. As he opened the tabernacle to place a consecrated host in the pyx, the stranger knelt and bowed his head deeply. Catching a glimpse from the corner of his eye, the monsignor was struck by the man’s profound humility and reverence for the Eucharist, further deepening the mystery of their encounter.
Throughout their journey, inexplicable thoughts of Saint Joseph kept flickering in the monsignor’s mind. He couldn’t pinpoint the reason; the stranger gave no indication that resembled the saint, yet the monsignor felt there was a connection.
When they finally reached their destination, the dying priest expressed his deep gratitude and revealed a lifelong devotion to Saint Joseph.
Following the administration of the Last Rites and Holy Viaticum, the monsignor and the stranger returned to the rectory. At the doorstep, the stranger turned to the monsignor and simply declared, “What you are thinking is true,” and then departed.
Story Two: Saint Joseph and My Doctoral Nightmare
Hunched over my laptop in the United States, I felt the distance to the University in Poland intensify the pressure surrounding my dissertation. Conducting research and drafting my findings from afar, I found myself ensnared in a relentless cycle of communication with my academic advisor in Poland.
The ever-shifting demands of the dissertation committee erected what seemed an insurmountable barrier. Their relentless revisions, each one chipping away at my confidence, threatened to unravel months of painstaking research.
In a moment of peak frustration on the brink of despair, I found myself lashing out at my laptop—an act that unearthed a different, far more poignant memory.
I recalled a promise made to my father on his deathbed. Amidst my doubts, I had confided in him my intention to abandon my pursuit of the degree. Yet, with a mix of seriousness and jest, he elicited from me a pledge to persist, humorously warning that he would haunt me should I falter. So, I turned to Saint Joseph, hoping to bring my doctoral dissertation saga to a fitting conclusion.
I embarked on a novena dedicated to Saint Joseph—possibly the Holy Cloak Novena, though my memory of the specifics remains unclear.
St. Joseph (from my room) at the Monastery of the Dominican Fathers | Poznań, Poland
The situation began to shift soon after completion of the novena. An email from my moderator arrived, announcing a meeting where the dissertation would go to two additional readers for review, marking the beginning of the end of the process. My moderator informed me the meeting would take place on March 19th—Saint Joseph’s feast day. This serendipitous timing struck me as rather clear, underlining that the events unfolding were no mere coincidence.
Upon my arrival in Poland, my connection to Saint Joseph deepened significantly. My moderator, a Dominican, offered me room and board at the Dominican residence. While walking me to my room, my moderator told me the residence was “dedicated to Saint Joseph.”
From my room, I looked out upon the center of a garden where a statue of Saint Joseph was the most visible aspect (see picture above). I had no doubt the great saint heard my pleas and was making it abundantly clear that he was guiding me through the concluding phases of my doctoral journey.
For those who have experienced the powerful intercession of saints, particularly the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, their assistance is unmistakable. And just as Saint Joseph once tenderly held the Christ child, so too does he extend his fatherly embrace to you. Saint Joseph welcomes all who humbly seek his aid.
If you have not already, open your heart to this great saint. In one way or another, he will help you.