Never to any of the children of men did death
come so bereft of its terrors as to St. Joseph. One
who had lived so continually in the presence of
his God had no cause to fear it. One so sinless as
he could bid defiance to Satan. One whose
thoughts, aspirations, hopes, affections, had always
been in Heaven, regarded death as a stepping-stone to his true home and to the presence of his
God. One on whose breast Jesus had nestled lovingly, had already had a foretaste of Paradise, and
was absorbed by the longing desire to be there.
Have I the same reasons to welcome death?
Yet if anyone ever had reason to dread separation
from earth, it was St. Joseph. None ever
left behind him wife or child who were a thousandth part as dear as Mary and Jesus were to
Joseph. Did it cost him nothing to say farewell?
No, for from Jesus he could never be separated, and
if the veil of flesh prevented him for a short time
from intercourse with his Virgin Spouse, yet they
would soon meet in endless union before the throne
of God. The pain of separation disappeared at
the thought of eternal bliss. If the company of
Jesus and Mary was so sweet on earth, what would
it be in Heaven?
What a beautiful death was St. Joseph's!
Nursed in the arms of Jesus and Mary his last
hours were one long ecstasy. No anxious, no
distressing thought was possible in that sweet
company. For him death was only falling asleep to
wake in Paradise. St. Joseph is therefore the
patron of a good death. Pray earnestly to Jesus,
Mary, and Joseph, that you may die in peace ill
their blessed company.