Joseph Advances in Wisdom and in the Fear and Love of God
Written by Mother Maria Cecilia Baij, O.S.B.
Saturday, 27 June 2009 00:00
The following excerpts are taken from the The Life of St. Joseph (first referred to as the "Revelations of St. Joseph" in the original Italian) as received through a series of inner locutions from Our Lord to Mother Maria Cecilia Baij, O.S.B., abbess of the Benedictine Convent of St. Peter in Montefiascone, Italy, during the middle of the 18th century (1743-1766). These revelations have received wide acceptance, both theological and popular, in Italy and Germany, where copies and translations of the text were originally distributed. Mother Baij also received from Jesus through inner locutions the contents which presently make up the Inner Life of Jesus Christ, a five-volume work presently published in Italian and German. Pope Benedict XV reportedly granted initial approval and encouraging support for the revelations received by Mother Baij, according to the text's introduction. Moreover, numerous theologians in the past two centuries have likewise granted their theological support and approval of this series of revelations.
The Life of St. Joseph as described in these locutions provides a profound and inspiring example of Christian purity, patience, gentleness, and coredemption, which certainly would be appropriate for the man that the Church has designated as the greatest saint after Our Lady.
—Ed.
Joseph Advances in Wisdom and in the Fear and Love of God
As he grew older Joseph made great strides in the practice of virtue, in the love for God, and in the study{footnote}This is of great value in correcting the wrong opinion that some devotees of St. Joseph had formed concerning him. They considered him a great saint indeed, but quite simple and hence not very intelligent. However, Isidore of Isolani thought of him quite differently when he stated that: "St. Joseph in his wisdom and with the assistance of the Holy Spirit understood the Prophets, was well acquainted with the Psalms, and also comprehended the difficult transmissions of the patriarchs" (Summa de donis S. Joseph, par. 3, chap. 3).
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