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ST. JOSEPH
HIS LIFE, HIS VIRTUES, HIS PRIVILEGES HIS POWER.
A Month of March in bis Honour
BY l VERY REV. ARCHDEACON KINANE, P.P. Fethard, Co. Tipperary.
AUTHOR OP “ TAR DOVE or THE TABERNACLE,” ‘TAB ANGEL OF THE ALTAR ;” “ MARY IMMACULATE, MOTE ER or Gop;’’ “Tur LAMB oF Gop.”
With a Preface by
HIS GRACE THE MOST REV. DR. CROKE, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly.
Sebenth Edition,
DUBLIN
M. H. GILL AND SON 50 UPPER SACKVILLE STREET.
1884 {All rights reserved.]
HOJE +. l.
Hihil Obstut : GULIELMUS J. WALSH, S.T.D., Pras. CoLL. S. PATRITII APUD MAYNOOTH, CENSOR THEOLOG. DEPUT.
Smprimatur: š EDUARDUS CARD. MAC CABE, ARCHIEPISCOPUS DUBLINENSIS, HIBERNLZ PRIMAS,
Smprimatur :
J4 THOMAS W. CROKE, ARCHIEPISCOPUS CASSLIENSIS.
DEDICATION.
To St. Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus ;
To St. Joseph, who,- first after Mary, adored the Incarnate Word, and watched over the Nativity of the Saviour of the world ;
To St. Joseph, who protected the Divine Babe, and saved the very life of the Infant Redeemer from the cruelty of Hero ;
To St. Joseph, so often visited and in- structed by the Angel of the Lord, God’s Ambassador ;
To St. Joseph, privileged to carry in his arms, and to press to his bosom the Divine Infant Jesus ;
To St. Joseph, favoured to supply, by the labour of his hands, the wants and comforts of the Saviour of the World ;
To St. Joseph, who, for thirty years, lived in the school of Jesus, and whose departing soul was absolved by Jesus Christ Himself ;
To St. Joseph, chosen by the Almighty, and made worthy to be the spouse of the purest of virgins, Mary Immaculate, Mother of God ;
iv Dedication.
To St. Joseph, the Guardian of God’s choicest jewel and most precious treasure on earth, the Virgin Mother of the Redeemer of the world; |
To St. Joseph, Head of the Holy Family, Jesus and Mary ;
To St. Joseph, styled by the Holy Ghost a “just man ;”
To St. Joseph, after the Blecsed Virgin, the most exalted, the most privileged, the most holy, and the purest soul ever created by the hands of the Almighty ;
To St. Joseph, the Patron of the Universal Church ;
Te St. Joseph, the Patron of a happy death:
In thanksgiving for all graces received through his intercession ;
In reparation for all sins committed, and graces abused ;
In petition for the grace of a holy life, but still more especially for the grace of a happy death, this little book is most humbly, most reverentially, and most affectionately, dedicated. 3
PREFACE
aes a
Ir must be next to impossible, one would imagine, for an Irish missionary priest, espe- cially if in charge of a widespread and populous district, to find time for applying himself, with even the most moderate ‘relish and smallest chance of success, to any man- ner of occupation, not iminediately, and of its own nature, connected with the business of his sacred ministry.
The duties of a Christian Pastor are nu- merous and exhausting. Besides attending sedulously, as he is bound to do, to his own private and personal devotions (“ attende tibi”), it is gravely incumbent on him to pray much and earnestly for his flock. Or his soul's peril he has also to preach to them
vi Preface.
to offer sacrifice for them, to visit them in sickness and in sorrow, as well as in their hours of gladness, and to be to them, at one and the same time, a friend, a father, and a protector,
In truth, when not engaged in the all- important work of the confessional, the really good pastor can scarcely help being on his feet all day. Schools are to be looked after, erring parishioners to be seen to and admonished, the sick are to be comforted, confraternities organised and upheld, paro- chial abuses to be hunted up and corrected. Perhaps a new church is in progress, or an old one undergoing repair. In both cases he will have to superintend the work, and supply, in due course, the means of paying for it. Then, when indoors, at his own resi- dence, he has to see and speak to all who call on him in quest either of charity or advice; he has frequently to maintain a heavy, and, perhaps, troublesome corres- pondence; he is occasionally called upon to
Preface. vii
give practical proof of that spirit of hospi- tality, particularly towards his brethren in the, priesthood, which so well becomes an Irish ecclesiastic; and, withal, preparation must be made, and carefully made, if he desires to be fruitful and effective, for his Sunday exhortations, and other pastoral addresses, throughout the year.
How on earth, then, can he find time for deep and prolonged study, and, above all, how can he manage, as a result, to write . Sound and useful books of piety and in- struction ?
Let the earnest and hard-working Arch- deacon of Cashel answer the question. He has already given us, in quick succession, “The Dove of the Tabernacle,” “ The Angel of the Altar,” “The Lamb: of God,” and “ Mary Immaculate ”—all standard works of devotion, as is fully attested by the fact that they have gone through numerous editions, while nearly all of them are to be found, beautifully brought out, in the French,
viii Preface.
German, and Italian languages. To-day we have another valuable publication from his fertile and vigorous pen. “8t. Joseph : Jis Life, his Privileges, Prerogatives, and Power,” is the title of the Archdeacon’s latest production ; and having somewhat carefully perused it, I have no hesitation whatever in saying that my disappointment shall: be great, indeed, if those capable of forming a just estimate of its merits do not pronounce it to be one of his most useful and edifying works.
There is, perhaps, no saint in the calendar of whom less is generally known than of St. Joseph. One out of every ten thousand otherwise well-informed Catholics could not tell you anything concerning him, beyond the fact that he was the reputed father of Qur Lord and the husband of Our Blessed Lady ; that he is supposed to have been a carpenter by trade, and that he contributed, as such, tothe support of Our Divine Saviour during a considerable portion of his life.
Preface. ix
Indeed, the Sacred Scripture speaks but seldom of him. It tells us, however, the all-sufficient truth that he was “ the husband of Mary.” It tells us, moreover, that an angel -revealed to him the miraculous con- ception of the Incarnate Word ; that he was present in the stable of Bethlehem when the Wise Men from the East came to adore their new-born King; that he was admonished by a celestial messenger to fly into Egypt with the Divine Infant and His Mother ; that he did so ; that, after a rather protracted stay in that country, he returned home; and that he was certainly alive when Our Lord had attained the twelfth year of His age.
But when he was born; how old he was when he espoused the Blessed Virgin; when and where he died and was buried; what became of his remains, of which absolutely no traee has been found; when precisely he wae first. publicly. honoured as a saint in the Church: these are points, together with
x Preface.
countless others, of greater or less conse- quence, on which the ordinary Catholic mind is wholly uninformed.
All these interesting questions are pro- posed in the Archdeacon’s “ Life of St. Joseph,” and treated by him with much feli- city of expression, singular clearness, great wealth of argument and illustration, and with that peculiar warmth, that compactness and solidity of construction for which his other literary efforts are so justly and so generally commended.
Besides: the historical, and what may, perhaps, be termed the dogmatic aspect of the work, Part the Third supplies an admir- able and much-needed manual of devotion in honour of St. Joseph. The month of March is St. Joseph’s month, just as the month of May is the month of Mary; and for each of the thirty-one days of March there is a suitable meditation based on some special phase of the great Patriarch’s life; and after each meditation comes a short form of
Preface. xi
prayer, together with a salutary practical reflection. |
Whilst this book, because of its simple structure and consecutiveness, is admirably adapted to the humble capacity of the poor and unlettered, it will be found, at the same time, to be well reasoned throughout and convincing ; and of this I can advance no better proof than by referring the intelligent reader to the chapter on the Catholic doc- trine of the Invocation of Saints, which is very clearly set forth therein according to the teaching of the great Council of Trent, and established beyond the possibility of reasonable doubt or contradiction.
“The Lite of St. Joseph” is published by Messrs. Git & Son, of Dublin. It has the accessary advantages of fine type and excel- lent paper. Its orthodoxy is vouched for by the approval of the distinguished President of Maynooth. It is offered to the public at a moderate price. It treats of one who, after Our Blessed Lady, is entitled to our highest
xii Preface.
homage ; and I wish it, accordingly, a large circulation, and predict for it the moat salutary and substantial results.
HT. W. CROKE, _ Archbishop of Cashel.
Tue PALACE, THURLES,
Feast of the Espousals of the Blessed Virgin, 1884,
CONTENTS.
ae VOE
Put I.
CHAPTER I. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
PAGE
Section I. J esus s © 9 e e e e e ° 1
Secrion II. Mary. e « ° ° ° e e . ° 9
Srcrion III.
St. Joseph 16 Pious flection, Resolution, Prayers: ‘Litany of the Holy ‘Family e e ° °
CHAPTER II..
SeerioN L The Doctrine of the Catholic Church on the Invoca- tion of Saints, and on that of St. Joseph . . 24 Sgerton. IT. Communion of Saints . ie e à
Seeron III. The Old Testament on the Invocation of Saints. . 33
XIV Contents.
PAGE Secrion IV.
The New Testament on the Invocation of Saints . 36
Srcrion V.
Tradition on the Invocation of Saints . ` . 48 Inscription in the Catacombs of Rome . . . 44
Secrion VI.
The early Greek Fathers on the Invocation of Saints—Origen, St. Cyril of J new ene St. Ephrem, St. Basil ` 46
Section VII.
The early Latin Fathers on the Invocation of Saints—St. Cyprian, St. Ambrose, St. Augustin 49
Secrion VIII.
The Irish Fathers on the Invocation of Saints . 52 The Ancient Irish Litany of the Blessed urge
Mary . a , ° . 56 Feliré of St. Ængus Culdée ; š ‘ ; - 60 St. Colga—The Litany of St Angus ; . 62
Pious Reflections, Resolutions, Prayers: Prayer of St. Ignatius, Prayer of oe Bernard, Preyer to St. Joseph, ke. ‘ 68-71
CHAPTER II. The Life of St. Joseph.
The Greal ogy, Birthplace, Avocation or Trade of St. J oseph ° e ° ° ° ° ° e
Section I, The Genealogy or Family of St. Joseph - « 73
Contents.
Srcrion II.
The Birthplace and Avocation or Trade of St. Joseph ea -3 & “ao se š
Section III. The Espousals of St. Joseph with the sek Virgin Mary. ° . ° ° ° Section IV. The Age of St. Joseph at his eee with the Blessed Virgin Mary . . oS SECTION V.
St. J oseph accompanies the Blessed Virgin in her visit to her Cousin St. Elizabeth from Nazareth to Hebrun, and from Hebron back to Nazareth .
Section VI,
St. Joseph perceives the great Mystery of the Incar- nation, through reverence resulves to leave pri- vately the Bleased Virgin, but never for an instant doubts her fidelity . oe ‘ i ;
Section VII. St. Joseph and the journe of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Nazareth to Betblebem . . i Section VIII. St. Joseph and the Nativity of Our Blessed Saviour
XV
PAGE
76
S7
91
94
106
112
xvi Contents.
PAGE SECTION IX.
St. Joseph and the Circumcision. By God’s com- mand St. Joseph calls the Divine Infant Jesus . 114
SECTION X. St. Joseph and the Flight into Egypt . 117 In what city, and how long did St. J sa stay in Egypt? e ° ° ° e ° e 127 Sxotion XI.
The return of the Holy Family from Egypt . - 129 An Act of Consecration to St. Joseph . - . 1838
SkcTion XII.
The Presentation by the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph of the Child Jesus in the Temple . . 134 A Prayer.of St. Alphonsus Liguori to St. Joseph . 141
Section XIII.
The Hidden Life of St. Joseph. The Losing and Finding of the Child Jesus in Jerusalem by
Parents, Mary and Joseph af + oe 142 Section XIV. The Death of St. Joseph 15C
The time and place of his Death, his Age, his holy Death in the arms of Jesus and Mary . 151-166 Pious Reflections, Resolutions, Prayers to St. Joseph to obtain the Grace of a Happy Death . . 167
Part IT.
CHAPTER IV. The dignity and heroic virtues of St. Joseph . - 173
Contents.
Section I.
The Dignity.of St. Joseph. St. Joreph is exalted above all God's Saints, and ranks next to the Blessed Virgin Mary herself . . .
Section II.
The sanctity of St. Joseph.—St. Joseph, in sanctity as in dignity, excels all God’s Saints, and is next to the Blessed Virgin Mary herself . ‘
Section III. St. Joseph was sanctified in his Mother’s womb
Srcrion IV. St. Joseph, by a special privilege from God, was confirmed in grace . . a ae Section V. The Purity of St. Joseph e © « è à
Section VI. he perpetual Virginity of St. Joseph . e .
Szcrion VII. The Faith of St. Joseph io own w w
Szcrion VIII. The Charity:of St. Joseph . © « è œ
ee
XVIL
PAGE
173
184
192
19€
211
214
224
Iviii Contents.
' PAGE Section IX.
The Humility of St. Jeseph . e . . 230 Pious Reflections, Resolutions, Prayers, Act of Con- secration to St. Juseph . . © 4 . B
Part II.
Devotions in honour of St. Joseph e. >. . 248 Month of March in honour of St. Joseph . . 243
CHAPTER V. Devotions in honour of St. Joseph © e . 245
Section I. Faith and Devotions . . : ; i y 24
Section II. St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church. . 248
l Secrion III. St. Joseph, Patron of a Happy Death . . . 257
Section IV.
The Testimonies of Saints and Modern Writers on Devotion to St. Joseph—St. Thomas of Aquin, St. Bernardine, St. ‘Teresa, St. Alphonsus Li- guort, Father Faber, Father Dalgarius, Cardi- nal Newman, Patrignini, Pius IX. . . 264-278 Pious Reflections, Resolutions, Prayers: Prayer of St. Bernardine of Siena to St. Juseph © . 278
Contents. xix
. PAGE CHAPTER VI.
Month of March in honour of St. Joseph . . 276
March l1st.—First Meditation.
St. Joseph, the reputed Father of the Incarnate Word of God, Our Blessed Lord and perce Jesus Obrist ; ‘ : ; : 279
March 2nd.—Second Meditation.
St. Joseph, the chaste Spouse of the Blessed Vie Mary e % o n e A 282
March 3rd.— Third Meditation.
St. Joseph, the Guardian and Protector of our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ . . -286
March 4th.—Fourth Meditation. St. Joseph, Head of the Holy Family . . . 289
March 5th.—Fifth Meditation. St. Joseph’s Love for the Child Jesus . . . 293
March 6th.—Sixth Meditation. St. Joseph’s Labour of Love to support Jesus - 296
March 7th.—Seventh Meditation.
Paradise on Earth—Jesus, aks and Joseph; at Nazareth x á . 300
March 8th.—Eighth Meditation. St. Joseph’s Love of Jesus, his God and Saviour . 306
xx Contents.
PAGE March 9th.—Ninth Meditation. St. Joseph, the paa Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary e ° e ° » © e 810 l March 10th.—Tenth Meditation. St. Joseph, the Guardian and Protector of the Blessed Virgin Mary ©. 315 March 11th.—Eleventh Meditation. St. Joseph, “a Just Man ” ~ «© e« . 819 March 12th.—Twelfth Meditation. St. Joseph the Chaste s. - . 823
March 13th.—Thbirteenth Meditation.
St. Joseph, a Man me Pee The Necessity of Prayer i . ° . ‘ ;
March 14th.—Fourteenth Meditation.
St. Joseph, a Man of S The Efficacy or Power of Prayer ; e . « 382
March 15th.—Fifteenth Meditation.
St. Joseph, a Man of Breer The Conditions for Efficacious Prayer. ~ 6 « > 838
March 16:h.—Sixteenth Meditation.
St. Joseph’s ardent Desire and Love fur our Salva- tion e . e . e e ° Ld * 344
March 17th.—Seventeenth Meditation. St. Joseph’s Powee with Jesus for our Salvation . 349
PAGE March 18th.— Eighteenth Meditation.
St. Joseph, a Model of Canora to the Holy Will of God ' i s A 4
March 19th.—Nineteenth Meditatian.
The Sanctification of our Ordinary Actions. Purity of Intention.
St. Joseph, a model of the sanctification or orlan? actions by purity uf intention . - 359
March 20th.—Twentietb Meditation.
The Sanctification of our Ordinary Actions, The Presence of God.
St. Joseph, the Model of the sanctification 6f our
ordinary actions, by the ae proa of ss presence of God : . e la
March 21st.—Twenty-first Meditation.
The Sanctification of our Ordinary Actions, The habit of ejaculations or short prayers. St. Joseph sane tified his ordinary actions by the habit of ejaculations or short prayers . . + 871
March 22nd.—Twenty-second Meditation. St. Joseph and “ Union with Jesus” . «. «© 877
March 23rd.—Twenty-third Meditation,
St. Joseph and “ Union with the Perpetual Sacrifice of Jesus on the Altar, and with Jesus in the Tabernacle ` ‘ è : . 381l
March 24th. —Twenty-fourth Meditation. St. Joseph, a Model of Humility . . . . 387
xxii Contents.
PAGE March 25th.—Twenty-fifth Meditation.
Bt. Joseph, a Model of Self-denial e e « 393
March 26th.—Twenty-sixth Meditation. St. Joseph, a Model of the Hidden Life ; . 398
March 27th.—Twenty-seventh Meditation.
St. Joseph, Patron and Protector of the Universal Church . e 8 «© č oè > >o + 403
March 28th.—Twenty-eighth Meditation. St. Joseph, the perfect Model of the Holy Nun . 408
March 29th.—Twenty-ninth Meditation. St. Joseph, the perfect Model of the Holy Priest .. 414
March 30th.—Thirtieth Meditation. St. Joseph, the Patron of a Happy Death . - 420
March 3let.—Thirty-first Meditation. The happy death of the devout clients of St. Joseph 426 Litany of St. Joseph . . . « « « 430 The Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St. Joseph . 435
APPROBATIONS.
aaneen jama
4 Rutland-square, E., Dublin. 22nd February, 1884.
My DEAR ARCHDEACON.
Accept my thanks for your kindness in sending me a copy of your ‘Life of Saint Joseph.” Although in the estimation of the mere critic the holy Gospels tell us little of the great patron of the Church, thore is in tbat little an inexhaustible treasury of consolation and instruc- tion for the humble Christian. He was a “ juet man.” He was the Spouse and noble protector of ber who was dear to the Adorable Trinity beyond all mere creation besides ; to him as to Mary was the Incarnate Word sub- ject at Nazareth. In these sublime privileges he can have no partner. But his life, hidden in God, is a lesson we can all study. It teaches us to disregard the honours and distinctions of the world fur which men struggle, and sometimes secure at the risk of character and conscience. It tells the occupant of the palace that true nobility is not always lodged in stately mansions; and that in the judgment of Him whose judgments are just, the cottage of the poor man who in the sweat of his brow earns his daily bread is oftentimes, a thousand times more splendid tban the golden palaces of the Cæsars.
For the poor the life of Saint Joseph is the most eloquent of exhortations, calling on him to rest in joy and contentment in the humble sphere where Gud has placed him for the few days of his mortal life. Restless ambi- tion, grasping cupidity, and discuntented poverty must stand rebuked in the light of this great Saint’s simple life. That life, if well studied, will bring charity, and joy, and peace, and patience, into the cabins of thousands of our
or people who read your exquisite and solidly pious ttle book ; and whilst with their ever grateful hearts they bless God for the grace of such an example, they will not forget to pray for the self-sacrificing friend, who stole, from
2
his few hours of legitimate recrer ion, time to place before them, in simple colours, the pict: re of sublime sanctity. Beiieve me, yours sincerely,
' oh E. CARD. Mac CABE. The Very Rev. Archdeacon Kinune.
Archbishop's House, Westminster, S. W.
17ta Febru: ry,:1884.
My DEAR ARCHDEACON, I was unwiuing tu seem s'ow to thank you for your
very acceptable book on St. Joseph ; and I was so pressed
by work when it came that I desired F. Guiron to thank
you in my name.
But I am glad to do so now. The devotion of the Church to St. Joseph springs from the Incarnation and
rotects it, as St. Joseph guarded the Divine Infant; and In this he is the special Patron of Priests, who guard our Divine Master in the Sacrament of the Altar.
You have therefure given to us and to tke faithful in your excellent book, a store of motives to ask and to con- fide in his prayers, in the power of which I bave both faith, trust, aad experience.
Believe me always, my dear Archdencon, Yours very truly in Jesus Christ,
% HENRY EDWARD, Car. Archbishop of Westminster. The Very Rev. Archdeacon of Cashel.
The Oratory, Birmingham, February 8, .1884 Very Rev. Fatier,
I beg to thank you for your precious volume. I would I could promise myself the pleasure of reading it over; but at my age l find a great difficulty in expediting the various duties which lie upon me. Pray accept this
apolog mene Your faithful servant,
™ JOHN H. CARD. NEWMAN.
Armagh, 19th February, 1884. Very Rev. pear SIR, I thank you for your beautiful gift “St. Josepb.” The book is one with which every devout reader will be charmed. It cannot be wore highly praised thanin saying thatit has the best qualities of the author’s universally prized works. To all who are able to buy it, I would say, get it, read it, and give it away to some poor person, when you have got the good out of it fur yourself. Wishing you every blessing, I am your grateful and faith “ul s-rvant,
DANIEL M‘GET!1 \N. | Primate. Very Rev. Archdeacon Kinane, P.P.
St. Jarlath’s, Tuam. My DEAR ARCHDEACON,
Many thanks for the copy of your latest truly solid and edifying book, “St. Joseph,” with which you kindly favoured me,
The subject has been, indeed, well chosen, and admirably handled.
After Jesus in the altar, and his Immaculate Mother, naturally comes in order the Foster Father of the Son of God. You have laid the Catholic public, already so deeply indebted to you, under heavy additional obligations by treating of such a subject and treating of it so well.
No sweeter devotion, nor any that speaks more feelingly to every Catholic heart, than that shown this great Saint, who ought to be, and no doubt is, after the Im- maculate Mother, the most powerful in the court of heaven.
As he guarded the Church in his Divine Head, in her cradle, so he seems destined to guard her at the close of her existence, especially in these evil days, when the gene- ral departure from the principles of faith, and the univer- sal defection of the rulers of this earth, from the allegiance
4
due to the Vicar of Christ, would seem to indicate that, if not the end, at least some great change is near at hand.
I shall not fail to recommend your admirable book on a eabject in which I feel the deepest interest, to the faith- ful of this diocese. I trust it shall soon be in the hands of
With veneration Believe me very faithfully yours,
7 JOHN, Archbishop of Tuam. Rev. Archdeacon Kinane.
Archdiocese of Glasgow, 158 Renfrew-street, Glasgow, 12th February, 1884. My DEAR ARCHDEACON, I write to thank you very much for having sent me a copy of your beautiful book, “ St. Joseph.” From wnat I have already been able to read of it I have formed a high opinion of the book, and can state that I am satisfied that it is a most valuable manual of devotion to St. Joseph ; a very important addition to the few books that we have in the vernacular in honour of the Foster Father of our Lord ; and a most useful compendium of instructions, meditations, and prayers, suited for all seasons and especi- ally for the montb of March. tn my household we shall use it every day during the coming month. Again thanking you for the book, I remain, very faithfully yours,
% CHARLES, Archbishop of Glasgow. Very Rey. Archdeacon Kinane.
The Palace, Limerick, 10th February, 1884. My DEAR AROHDEACON Kinane, I have much pleasure in recommending to the Catholics of Limerick your new book on St. Juseph. It
5
Is in every way worthy of your pen. It would be high praise to sny that it is not inferior to any of your previous publications ; but I am inclined to join your illustrious archbishop. and say that I, too, ‘‘ shall be disappointed if those capable of forming a ju-t estimate of its merits do not propounee it one of your most useful and edifying works.”
Believe me to be, yaurs most faithfully,
5 GEORGE BUTLER, Bishop of Limerick. Very Rev. Archdeacon Kinane.
Tullow, County Carlow, February 12th, 1884. My DEAR FATHER KINANE,
As you say your charming little book on St. Joseph was written at my suggestion, 1 fondly hope to come in for some share of the innumerable blessings and graces which it is sure to procure for its pious readers. I am truly delighted with its modest, lucid, simple, and touch- ing exposition of the devotion of our Holy Church to its beloved patriarch, St. Joseph. As it is with God, the more he is known the more intensely he is loved ; so also with His Sai: ts, the more they are known the more they are loved and honoured, and the more they are loved the greater our devotion, and the greater our devotion the more abundant the graces procured for us by their power- ful intercession. As your incomparable panegyrist and holy archbishop has remarked, in his beautiful preface to
our little work, “there is no saint in the calendar, per- aps, of whom less is generally known than St. Joseph,” ou have done much to make him better known as the ighest und most holy, after His own Immaculate Spouse, of God’s saints in heaven—the ever glorious St. Joseph. You here let ina clear and beautiful light in the some- what obscure passage relating to the saint’s thought of putting his sacred charge away privately. Your in- terpretation of the text is well calculated, supported, as
6 it is, by irresisti:le arguments, to bring conviction to every pious mind. I have been greatly touched by your warm love of our Cear old country, as evidenced in the pages in which you speak of Ireland, of her glories, and of her sorrows. How charming is patriotism when em- balmed in the unctuous piety of the heart of an Irish priest. As you so justly remark, the ever-religious Saint Joseph is, in a special manner, invoked as the patron of a happy death. Ithink you may well take to your heart the sweet consolation of a well-grounded hope tbat your advocacy of the saint. will procure for him many clients, who, through his intercession, will die the death of the saints. anid you and I be amongst their number is the sincerest wish of your devoted friend in Christ, | % J. LYNOH.
P.S.—Pray for me as I do every day for you.
The Abbey, Ballaghdeertn, 8th February, 1884.
My DEAR ARCHDEACON KINANE, |
I thank you very cordially for the copy of ‘‘6t. Joseph, His Life,” &c., which you have kindly presented tome. I have devoted my first leisure hours in looking over it, and hasten to express my admiration of your work and my delight at its publication.
At best there had been up to this but a very meagre outline of the s:int’s life and prerogatives; but you have tLe merit of filling in the details, and grouping them “ith the master-bhand of a practised and successful writer.
The English-spenking world were airexndy under many obligations to your pious and learned zeal. But now you lay on an additional obligation ; for this work harmonises with your other books in beauty of subject. and excellence of treatment. Here and there are to be found special spots that must gain upon the Irish Catholic; nye. and even charm the Irish Catholic heart. I would particularly refer the children of St. Patrick and St. Bridyet to sec. 8,
7
c. ii., p. 1, where you paint the “golden age” of our ancient National Church with rare touches of eloquent pathos.
I am confident that the sile of your new book will attest a high appre-iation of its merits by the Catholic reader, and afford proof of the deep love in which Catholics hold the head of the Holy Family, the patron of a happy death, and the protector of the universal Oburch.
It will give me sincere pleasure to recommend your work to the clergy and laity of the Diocese of Achunry.
I remain, my dear Archdeacon, = Yours very faithfully,
y F. J. Mac CORMACK, Bishop of Achonry. The Ven. Archdeacon Kinane.
Kilkenny, 9th February, 1884. My DEAR ARCHDEACON,
Your new work will be a welcome gift, indeed, to the countless chents of St. Joseph. It appears so me to be admirably suited to promote in the faithful a true and solid devotion to the gre it vatron of tbe universal Church. The sixth section of chapter the third bas taken my fancy very much. I will not fail to commend this treatise on St. Joseph to all intrusted to my apiritual care,
Yours faithfully and devotedly,
% PATRICK MORAN, B'shop of Ossory.
Bishop’s House, Waterford, February 12th, 1884.
My pram ARCHDEACON KINANE,
"> [have been reading with great satisfaction your recently published volume on ‘‘ The Life, Virtues, Privi- leges, and Power” of St. Joseph, of which you have favoured me with a copy.
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In addition to the universal devotional works with which you bave enriched religious literature, you have im the treatise appropriately named St. Joseph given tu the public a work of rare merit, which I venture to say will be eagerly sought for, and will command an extensive cireu- lation. The amount of information, scriptural, theological, and devotional, which you have compreseed in that volume, whilst it attests deep research, is a marvel of methodical condensation.
You have, my dear Archdeacon, plared the Catholic’ public under weighty obligations by the incentives to en- lightened piety and eee. devotion whicb you have furnished in St. Joseph, no less than in the previous works which have emanated from your zeal for the promotion of religion. How you have been able to combine, with the unceasing duties of an active missionary life, the countless hours given to deep and varied research, and the labour of placing its fruits in vigorous and lucid language, in order to attract attention and suit the tastes of discrimi- nating readers, is an instance of rare industry and gene- rous self-sacrifice pre-eminently yours.
I would greatly wish that this highly instructive and devotion-inspiring production would have a large circula- tion amongst the members of my flock.
I remain, my dear Archdeacon, Yours sincerely,
xT. POWER, Bishop of Waterford. The Very Rev. Archdeacon Kinane.
Sligo, February llik, 1884. MY DEAR ARCHDEACON,
Iam in receipt of your Life of St. Joseph . and after reading it over I am of opinion that in his pref? ce, flatter- ing as it is, your venerated archbishop has scarcely done. justice to its merits. It is indeed a solid devotional work, written in a simple, attractive style, and appealing no less to the heart than to the mind of the reader. It breathes a
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spirit of fervent piety, in which your other devotional works had prepared us; but we may well wonder, with your own venerable prelate, how you could have found time, in the midst of pastoral duties so numerous and so engrossing, for original work like this, so full of thought and research.
All good Catholics must feel deeply grateful to you » and I am sure I only express their heartfelt wish when I pray that God may reward your zeal by making your book widely instrumental in spreading devotion to the glorious St Joseph.
Believe me, my dear Archdeacon,
Very sincerely yours,
%4 L. GILLOOLY, Bishop of Elphin.
Bishop’s Fouse, Salford, February 20th, 1884. My DEAR FATHER KINANE,
My appreciation of your admirable work on St. Joseph, which you so kindly sent me, may be best tested by the fact that I have placed it, with your other valued and pious work of devotion, on the select list of books, which is imperative in all our “ Church Libraries.” .. . I do not meet with Suarez’s (whom you quote so often) strong and beautiful expression, that St. Joseph belonged tothe Hierarchy of the Hypostatic Union, and to the Hierarchy of the Incarnation. It always struck me asa happy and forcible expression.
Yours faithfully
%™ HERBERT, Bishop of Salford.
Queenstown, February 23rd, 1884. My DEAR ARCHDRACON, I have to apologise to you for having delayed so long to thank you for the presentation-copy you sent me
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of your new bonk. Owing to a variety of business matters pressing on me, I buve nut been able yet to read your buok through, I bave read enough of it, however, to satisfy me that itis n most useful and meritorious pro- duction, calculated to promote devotion to St. Joseph by the clear and comprehensive exposition which it gives of the eminent sanctity ard exalted prerogatives of the great poriro selected by God to be the chaste spouse of the
irgin Mother, and the guardian and fuster-father of our Redeemer. ‘The recent appointment of St. Joseph as patron of the universal Church made it very desirable that the general body of the faithful should bave a fuller and more perfect knowledge of his life and virtues than could be acquired from any English work on the subject with which I am acquainted, ‘This want you have admirably supplied in n manner worthy of the subject. The simple and devotional epirit in which your book is written, and the clearness and naturalness of its style— free from any affectation of fine writing—is exactly what was required for the class of readers for whom, I am sure, it was principally intended by you, namely, the simple faithful of your urban and rural districts, who form the great bulk of our population. Earnestly praying that your book may have a success cominensurate with its merits, and with that of the other works of yours which preceded it, .
I am, my dear Archdeacon, Yours most sincerely, {| JOHN M‘CARTHY. The Ven. Archdeacon Kinane, P.P., V.F., Fethard, Co. Tipperary.
Letterkenny, llth February, 1884. My DEAR ARCHDEACON KINANE, I beg to thank you most sincerely for your beauti- ful volume on St. Josepb. It will be a welcome gift to
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our Catholic people who sd frequently and lovingly unite the name of this great saint in their pious aspirations with those of our Divine Lord and his Blessed Mother.
In your book they shall find everything which can con- duce to render their devotion deep, solid, and enlightened. While the meditation, vocal prayers, and practical resolu- tions supply abundant matter for their pious exercises, your clear exposition of Catholic teaching, the light which you throw on St. Joseph’s life, and the prominence which you give to his leading virtues, furnish them with a sound and accurate knowledge, which is the most solid founda- tion on which they can ground their devotion.
It strikes me that in this, as ‘n your previous works, your twofold object for inspiring devotion, and bringin it into perfect harmony with the requirements of sind doctrine, has been most successfully accomplished. Indeed, the chapter on the Catholic doctrine of the Invocation of Saints renders this important service not only to the par- ticular devotion of whioh you treat but to every devotion connected with the saints. I think. therefore, the intro- duction of this chapter was a happy thought. If any- thing could be happier it is the success with which you have so united solidity and clearness in your treatment of this important question as to render it at the same time attractive to the best instructed, and intelligible to the simplest of your readers.
I shall feel great pleasure in recommending your ad- mirable book tu the faithful of this diocese, and I trust it is not the last work from the same pen I shall have to bring under their notice.
Wishing you every blessing and every success in your edifying labours,
I am, dear Archdeacon Kinane, Yours most faithfully,
% MICHAEL LOGUE, Bishop of Raphoe.
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Seminaire St. Sulpice, Paris, 9th February, 1884. My DEAR