St Joseph

St Joseph

“The Teresian Carmel, faithful to the example and the teaching of Holy Mother, lovingly venerates St Joseph, Spouse of the Virgin Mary and teacher of prayer. The sisters will recommend themselves to him and invoke his intercession 
as provident protector of the Church and the Order.”

Constitutions 59

St Joseph

“The Teresian Carmel, faithful to the example and the teaching of Holy Mother, lovingly venerates St Joseph, Spouse of the Virgin Mary and teacher of prayer. The sisters will recommend themselves to him and invoke his intercession as provident protector of the Church and the Order.”

Constitutions 59

St Joseph intercedes

Devotion to St. Joseph was a major feature of St. Teresa’s spirituality. As a young sister she fell seriously ill, became paralysed and, at one point, was even presumed dead. After praying fervently to St Joseph, her special patron, she was cured of her paralysis and was able to walk again although her health was never the same. St Joseph was thenceforth her special patron. She admired the hidden, silent life he led. There is no record in Scripture of Joseph’s words but much can be learned from his actions: obedient to God’s word he took Mary as his wife; journeyed to Bethlehem for the census; fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s massacre and returned to Nazareth when it was safe to do so where he cared for Mary and Jesus during the hidden years.

St Joseph intercedes

Devotion to St. Joseph was a major feature of St. Teresa’s spirituality. As a young sister she fell seriously ill, became paralysed and, at one point, was even presumed dead. After praying fervently to St Joseph, her special patron, she was cured of her paralysis and was able to walk again although her health was never the same. St Joseph was thenceforth her special patron. She admired the hidden, silent life he led. There is no record in Scripture of Joseph’s words but much can be learned from his actions: obedient to God’s word he took Mary as his wife; journeyed to Bethlehem for the census; fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s massacre and returned to Nazareth when it was safe to do so where he cared for Mary and Jesus during the hidden years.


St Teresa’s own words clearly show her love of St Joseph:

“I took for my advocate and lord the glorious Saint Joseph and commended myself earnestly to him... I do not remember that I have ever asked anything of him which he has failed to grant. I am astonished at the great favours which God has bestowed on me through this blessed saint…" 

"I wish I could persuade everyone to be devoted to this glorious saint, for I have great experience of the blessings which he can obtain from God. I have never known anyone to be truly devoted to him and render him particular services who did not notably advance in virtue, for he gives very real help to souls who commend themselves to him." 

"I only beg, for the love of God, that anyone who does not believe me will put what I say to the test… Those who practice prayer should have a special affection for him always.” (Autobiography Chapter 6).

St Teresa’s own words clearly show her love of St Joseph:

“I took for my advocate and lord the glorious Saint Joseph and commended myself earnestly to him... I do not remember that I have ever asked anything of him which he has failed to grant. I am astonished at the great favours which God has bestowed on me through this blessed saint…" 

"I wish I could persuade everyone to be devoted to this glorious saint, for I have great experience of the blessings which he can obtain from God. I have never known anyone to be truly devoted to him and render him particular services who did not notably advance in virtue, for he gives very real help to souls who commend themselves to him." 

"I only beg, for the love of God, that anyone who does not believe me will put what I say to the test… Those who practice prayer should have a special affection for him always.” (Autobiography Chapter 6).

Patron of the Order and the Church

St Teresa’s understanding and appreciation of St Joseph was ahead of its time as she placed him as the Patron of the Order. While St Joseph has traditionally been venerated in the Catholic Church he was only officially proclaimed Patron of the Universal Church in 1870 by Pope Pius IX who declared that his feast be celebrated on March 19th.  He is also the patron of our monastery here at Maryton.
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