Many people in Nazareth and other places where Mosaic Law, or Law of Moses, was observed died with Joseph. God made known this fact to Joseph who wished to carry out his assignment as Patron of The Dying.
God revealed to Joseph that He was appointing him as special mediator and patron for a happy death. Joseph showed a great concern for the dying, assisting and praying for their salvation.
‘God will add’
Saint Joseph is a descendant of King David. His father, Jacob, and mother, Rachael, who led holy lives also came from the family of David. Joseph means “May Yahweh add.”
Joseph had two guardian angels, according to Abbess Ma. Cecilia Baij, OSB in The Life of Saint Joseph. God assigned an angel to speak to him in his dreams and instruct him in all circumstances required of him to be more pleasing to God.
It is not surprising then that his first words were “My God.” A cheerful patient child with a peaceful demeanor, he often hid himself, be on his knees to pray.
At 12, he learned a trade from the village artisans and became a “son of the law,” attending Jerusalem’s religious services and the great festivals—that Passover, Pentecost and of the Tabernacles.
By divine inspiration, when the time for Mary to be married was decreed, the high priest of the temple gathered together all men in Jerusalem who were descendants of the tribe of Judah and the race of David.
While all the men were in prayer, the branch held by Joseph blossomed, a pure, white, lily flower and a white dove descended on Joseph’s head. Heaven has spoken. Joseph is heaven’s chosen spouse for the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Happy death
In the last years of his life, Joseph was afflicted with fever, violent headaches and very painful rheumatism which greatly weakened him.
Jesus, according to Baij, allowed Joseph to suffer tremendously for him “to accumulate more merit, thus, to be in the highest place in heaven next to our Lady.”
The room full of angels glowed brilliantly while Joseph was dying.
Joseph Chorpenning, OSFS, in The Holy Family, wrote: “Mary sat at the head of the bed holding him in her arms. Jesus stood just below her near Joseph’s breast.
So solemn was the scene when Jesus lays Joseph down, embraces Mary who was brokenhearted and went near Him.
Jesus raised His voice to be heard by Joseph, who was sinking in the arms of death.
“Go before Me, and tell the patriarchs that the Savior is in the world and the Kingdom of Heaven will soon be opened to them. Go Father, My Blessing accompany you.”
In A Manual of Practical Devotion to Saint Joseph, Fr. Anthony Joseph Patrignan, SJ, narrated the anguish of the Blessed Mother and Jesus as they closed his eyes.
“Jesus Himself washed this virginal body, crossed the hands over the breast. Both paid Joseph the tribute of their tears.” Then Jesus blessed Joseph’s from the corruption of the tomb.
Saint Jerome said that Saint Joseph was buried in the Garden of Gethsemane. And Jesus, on the night of His agony in the garden, “made the choice of that spot for prayer.”
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Santiago is a former regional director of the Department of Education National Capital Region. She is currently a faculty member of Mater Redemptoris Collegium in Calauan, Laguna, and of Mater Redemptoris College in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.