There
is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human
being. Whenever the divine favor chooses someone to receive a special
grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen
with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfill the task at hand.
This general rule is especially verified in the case of Saint Joseph,
the foster-father of our Lord, and the husband of the Queen of our
world, enthroned above the angels. He was chosen by the eternal
Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of his greatest
treasures, namely, his divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s wife. He
carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God
called him, saying “Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy
of your Lord.” Remember us, Saint Joseph, and plead for us to your
foster child. Ask your most holy bride, the Virgin Mary, to look
kindly upon us, since she is the mother of him who with the Father
and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns eternally. Amen.
–-
Saint Bernardine of Siena from a sermon
