Meditation on the Recollection of St. Joseph and His Union with God

Recollection of Saint Joseph, and his union with God.

The Kingdom of GOD is within you. ¹

PREPARATORY PRAYER (page 28).

FIRST PRELUDE.

Let me withdraw myself in spirit into the humble dwelling of Nazareth; all there breathes calm and peace.

SECOND PRELUDE.

Perfect model of the interior life, teach me to converse with JESUS and Mary, and to please them in all things.

FIRST POINT.

Recollection of Saint Joseph, and his union with God.

A hidden life seems unendurable to worldlings and to dissipated souls, for they know not the interior delights with which the LORD loves to fill those who seek Him purely; but those hearts that have experienced these ineffable joys prefer them a thousand times to all the most flattering and most seductive that the world can offer. Saint Joseph had had this sweet experience; careful to withdraw himself from the attention of men, so as to seek the notice of GOD alone, he was a recipient of the most intimate communications of the Holy Spirit, and of the rarest favours of the Sacred Hearts of JESUS and Mary. Recollection and prayer were the habitual nourishment of his soul, his spirit was occupied only with the contemplation of divine perfections, his heart burned only with the fire of the purest love, his will, closely united to that of his GOD, was perfectly docile to the impressions of Grace. Thus our LORD was pleased to enlighten him with the clearest light, and to heap upon him His most excellent gifts. Oh! how I become my own enemy when I fail to apply myself as I ought to the practice of recollection and the cultivation of the spirit of prayer, depriving myself of those divine communications with which prayerful souls are bountifully favoured.

SECOND POINT.

Saint Joseph offers me his succour to acquire the spirit of recollection and of prayer.

The love of a hidden life should give me, as it did Saint Joseph, the spirit of recollection and of union with GOD; but, to enjoy the precious advantages promised by this holy habit of mind, I shall have both within and without many combats to wage. Without, the world invites me to dissipation and frivolity; within my soul, I find fatal inclinations, rising passions, distractions which importune me, and weakness and inconstancy of mind which constantly cause the failure of my projects of perfection. Is it not, then, presumption in me to renew them to-day, and to aspire to that life of union with GOD from which I am so far removed? Ah! without doubt this work far surpasses my powers, but nothing is impossible to GOD, and His aid is assured to those who distrust themselves and confide in Him. Saint Joseph offers me at this moment his powerful protection. He wishes to assist me in acquiring the true spirit of prayer. I will, then, place my resolutions under his care, renewing them each day, and persevering in them in spite of all obstacles.

Colloquy with Saint Joseph.

To render him tributes of respect and confidence. To beg of him to obtain for me the abundant graces which are necessary to me in order to form the holy habit of recollection and of union with GOD.

Resolutions.

To recall often the presence of GOD, and to perform all my actions for Him.

OFFERING OF RESOLUTIONS (page 33).

Spiritual Bouquet.

Saint Joseph, perfect model of the interior life, pray for me.

PRAYER.

I conjure thee, etc. (page 33).

EXAMEN OF THE MEDITATION (page 34).

1. Luke xvii. 21.