‘Admirable Life Of Patriarch Saint Joseph’ by Venerable Mary of Agreda; Chapter VI; ‘MODE OF LIFE OF THE AUGUST MARY …’; part II; pages 108-111
[Venerable Mary of Agreda – XVII Century AD; born/died: Agreda, Spain; Mystic; Writer; ‘Blue Nun’]St. Joseph never saw his holy spouse asleep. He did not know, from his own experience, whether she slept at all. Her place of rest was the little bed made by the saint. It had . two coverings, between which she was accustomed to place herself to take a brief and light repose.
The under garment of the august Mary was a tunic or chemise, but little softer than woolen stuff. She never left it off, except when it was worn, nor soiled it, and no one in the world saw it, not even St. Joseph. In all her works, and in whatever she did for St. Joseph, the greatest cleanliness was observed.
Before St. Joseph was informed of the mystery of the Incarnation, our blessed Lady, at certain times when he was not occupied, used to read to him from the Holy Scriptures, particularly from David and the Prophets. She explained them like an experienced instructress, and her holy spouse questioned her on many _ points, her replies to which gave him such cause: for admiration, that both united in praising and blessing the Lord. But after the saint had dis- covered the grand secret, our Lady addressed him as the elected of God, to be the coadjutor of the works and mysteries of the Redemption. _ They discoursed then openly together, and with amore clear understanding, of the prophecies which referred to the conception of the Word by a Virgin Mother, His birth, and His most holy life.
Our august Lady explained all; and then they spoke of what they should do when the day, so much desired, should come—when the Child should be born, when He would be in her arms, and she should nourish Him from her virginal breast, and when, alone among mortals, her holy spouse would be the only one who would participate in this inconceivable happiness! But she said little of the death and the passion, for she was unwilling to afflict the ten. der heart of her spouse.
The faithful and happy St. Joseph was all enkindled by divine love in these gracious conversations, and, shedding tears of joy, he cried out: “Is it indeed possible that I shall see my God and Redeemer within you chaste arms ?— that I shall adore Him there ?—that I shall hear His sweet voice ?—that I shall touch Him ?— that my eyes shall see His divine face ?—that the sweat of my brow shall be employed in His service, and for His support ?—that we shall speak and converse with Him? Whence comes to me such bliss as none could ever have deserved? Why have I not rich treasures, that I might lay them at His feet ?”
Our august Lady replied: ‘‘The great God comes not into the world to find riches, for He needs them not; for them would He not descend from heaven. He comes on earth only to repair the disorders of the world, and by sure ways to conduct it to eternal life; and these ways are none other than humility and poverty.
For this He has chosen our poor habitation. He wills not that we be rich in worldly goods, which are but vanity and vexation of spirit.” The saint often besought the holy Virgin to instruct him in the character of the virtues, especially that of the divine love, in order that he might understand how to conduct himself in a suitable manner towards the God-man, so as not to be rejected as an unprofitable servant. The Mistress of the Virtues condescended to his request, and explained to her spouse the properties of the virtues, and the manner of practising them with all possible perfection.
Nevertheless she deported herself in these instructions with such great discretion, that she appeared in no wise the mistress of her spouse, for she interrogated the saint and instructed him by her questions.
Image: ‘Mary of Absam’ - miraculous picture / in window pane/ from Absam, Austria