Death of Joseph's Parents;
God Permits Him to be Subjected to Grievous Trials

Joseph was eighteen when, according to the dispensations of Divine Providence, his parents departed from this earthly life. His mother died first. She succumbed after a painful, protracted, and very serious illness. God wished to first purify her of all her failings and then to grant her residence in that abode of the just: Limbo. This grace was given to her primarily because of the petitions of Joseph, who had been praying continually that God would enable his parents to attain eternal repose in Abraham's bosom. He rendered to his mother a most commendable assistance and service, strengthening and comforting her in her pain, constantly begging God to give her patience in her agonizing illness.

The holy youth spent many a night watching and assisting at his mother's bedside, or praying for her. Just as he had previously shown his gratitude for her goodness to him, so now in these last moments of her life, his behavior was exemplary. He did not wish to leave her, and never tired of serving her or comforting her with his truly childlike, yet holy love. In her great consolation the mother would bless him again and again, and beg God to complete these with blessings of His own.

On one of the days just before her death, Joseph fell down upon his knees beside her, asked for her blessing, and begged for her forgiveness for whatever he might have done to offend her. The good mother blessed him and then urged him to continue as heretofore in his way of life, and to grow always more in the love and service of God. She thanked him for all the consolation and assistance he had given her. Joseph expressed his confident hope that her soul would be consigned to Limbo, together with those of the holy patriarchs, and that consequently she could actually welcome death.

How consoling for the mother to have Joseph say this! She blessed him again, and asked God to confirm her blessing with one of His own, and God assured her of His compliance by a certain bright light which momentarily played over Joseph's countenance. In their mutual consolation they thanked God together for His manifest bounties. Her condition soon became worse and eventually the death struggle was at hand. Her son now never left her side, but remained with her until she expired. He was a great help not only to her, but also to his father, who was sorely grieved over the loss of so virtuous a companion in life.

After his mother's death Joseph returned to his own room, there to give free vent to his sorrow and tears, and to seek God's consolation. Again it was granted to him to detect interiorly that Voice, which informed him that his wishes and worthy petitions concerning his mother were fulfilled. This pacified him completely, and after giving thanks, he again returned to try to comfort his father. Joseph's consoling remarks gave his father renewed strength and courage.

The following night the angel again spoke to Joseph, informing him that his mother was in Limbo, and that very soon he would also have to sustain the loss of his father. Therefore, he was advised to unite himself to the divine will and not to be afraid because God would protect and defend him in every eventuality.

Though inwardly consoled in regard to his mother, this announcement of the impending loss of his father caused Joseph much distress. He resigned himself completely to the divine will and braced himself to bear up under all the tribulation that this loss would entail. He held in faith what the angel said concerning God's promised assistance, although his human nature was, nevertheless, most deeply affected by all this. In spirit he was determined to endure everything with patience and with a generous heart accepting it as coming from the hands of God.

Indeed, it was not long afterwards that Joseph's father became deathly sick. Joseph himself had been weakened considerably during the period of his mother's painful illness, to which was now added this serious affliction. He fervently implored God for the help of His grace, and for the energy and strength needed to be able to assist his father during his final illness.

God heard his prayers, and increased his strength sufficiently so that he was able to devote himself to the care of his father. He tended and served him affectionately, both day and night, and encouraged him in the patient endurance of his sufferings and anxieties. The realization that he would have to leave Joseph behind, all alone and subject to many difficulties and trials, made his father feel grievously distressed.

Joseph assured him he could die without concern in this regard, because he trusted God to provide for all his needs. This allayed the sick man's fears, and being more firmly established in trust, he now was supremely confident that God, who had shown such a special love for Joseph, would have every solicitude for him.

Joseph's father turned over to Joseph all his property and possessions, telling him to use them as he saw fit, for he knew that Joseph would always dispose of things wisely. As a good father he also gave him some spiritual counsels, reminding him especially of the fear and love of God and love of neighbor. Joseph listened with great humility and submissiveness to these admonitions, and grateful for every word, thanked him and promised to carry out his exhortations for the greater honor and glory of God. Much consoled by this, the father then concluded: "My son, I die in peace, because I see how you apply yourself to the practice of virtue and how you love and fear God. It gives me considerable satisfaction to know that I can leave so much property to you; thus you can maintain yourself in your state in life and still bestow alms according to your desires.

"I commend to you the needs of my soul. May it be your concern to obtain forgiveness for me from God for all my sins and the grace necessary to reach the haven of salvation. Never forget me, nor your mother. You must surely understand how much we have loved you and how particularly concerned we have been for you. And now there remains nothing for me to do but to give you my paternal blessing and implore God to confirm it with His own, that you may continue to be endowed with His graces." Joseph went down on his knees, asking both God and his father for a blessing, which was imparted to him.

With tears in his eyes Joseph thanked his father for all he had done for him, for the good training that he had administered, and for the good example he had shown him. He begged forgiveness for everything that he had done contrary to his will, and for every other action by which he could possibly have offended him. His father disclaimed the existence of any offense which called for his forgiveness. He was never grieved by anything Joseph did, but instead always received from him much joy and consolation. He again reassured Joseph that he never caused him any unpleasantness.

In his humility, Joseph was not content with this assertion of his father. He refused to get up until his father, who also did not wish to deprive his son of the merit of this act of reparation, expressly offered his forgiveness, which consequently, his father gave him. Now satisfied, Joseph gave his father heartfelt thanks.

He asked his father's permission to distribute to the poor and to the temple, the inheritance which was being left to him. His father gave him complete freedom in the matter, telling him to do as it seemed good to him, and in accord with the divine will. This concession pleased Joseph immensely and he again expressed his gratitude. He assured his father that he would never forget him nor his mother, and he expressed the hope that he now could face death without any further worry or care.

As his sick father's condition became noticeably worse, Joseph redoubled his efforts of faithful service. He prayed more frequently and fervently for his father's eternal well-being, and thanked God for the composed state in which his father now found himself. He then made an act of self-surrender to God, asking that he be allowed to take upon himself any penance that might still be due to the divine justice for faults that his father had committed during life.

He asked for the privilege of this vicarious reparation so that his father might be able to enter immediately after death into the land of the patriarchs. Joseph's petition was granted, and God permitted him to be afflicted with grievous pains for hours at a time, all of which he endured with great resignation. He was most happy and thankful that he could make this reparation in his father's behalf, and he became more and more certain that his father's soul would enjoy repose in Abraham's bosom after death. Joseph's heart exulted at this, and he gave praise and thanksgiving for the divine goodness.

As his father's last hours arrived, Joseph attended him lovingly, encouraging and stimulating him to an ever greater trust in the divine goodness and mercy, and consoling him with his own conviction that he would soon enter into the domain of peace and joy. Thus, fully resigned and with a firm hope of obtaining eternal life, Joseph's father finally expired. Once his father had breathed his last, Joseph withdrew and allowed his grief-stricken nature to find relief in tears. Indeed, he had every reason to be sorrowful, considering what a generous, loving and solicitous father he had lost.

After he had thus given free reign to his sorrow, he fell down upon his knees, and streaming with tears, besought the Divine Majesty for aid with these words: "Oh God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob-and my own God! Look down upon me, thus deprived of both father and mother. You have graciously placed them beyond reach of the cares of this mortal life, and I now beg You, that in Your goodness You take me entirely under Your protection. I give and surrender myself again entirely to You.

"I have always been Yours, and also have always been safeguarded and defended by You. I wish to renew my dedication to You, and desire to have You reign over me completely. Since I am no longer subject to anyone but You, my God, give me the requisite grace, so that I too may be able to say with the royal prophet: 'My father and mother have left me, but the Lord has taken me up' (Ps. 26:10). From now on do You be my father, my protector, my mother, my refuge, my whole support. Do with me and mine as it pleases You. May Your holy will be accomplished in me in everything. Grant that I may always discern Your will, for it is my desire to follow it completely and perfectly."

God consoled Joseph as he prayed by again permitting him to hear His Voice speaking interiorly, advising him to be at peace, for his petition had been heard and His own fatherly love would always protect and defend him; whereupon Joseph arose, comforted and overflowing with gratitude to God.

After this Joseph had to endure many tribulations. Since his kindness was well known to all, some became bold enough to help themselves to this or that which belonged to him, particularly the servants of the house, who simply took what they pleased. Joseph observed all this but showed no resentment; he merely admonished them not to offend God, and not to encumber their souls with the burden of sin. They paid no heed to his words and took advantage of the fact that he was inclined to be so kindly and lovingly disposed.

When Joseph saw that they would not desist from their dishonest activities, he decided to grant them the right of permanent possession of their ill-gotten gains so that God would not be still more offended. But this only became the occasion for verbal abuse on the part of the individuals concerned, and the devil spurred them on, giving free rein to his rage against the Saint.

Indeed, Satan succeeded in his design to have Joseph mistreated and abused by the very people who were the beneficiaries of his generosity. Our Joseph endured all these injuries with an indefatigable patience, never becoming the least bit agitated.

Joseph's relatives dared to appropriate most of his property for themselves, and as compensation sought to have Joseph come and live with them. He had no intention of submitting to their arrangements under any circumstances, and evaded them and their overtures. He had already resolved to go to Jerusalem to live, where he would be near the temple. When they could not wheedle him out of his intention, they became very angry, and tried to do so with threats. Joseph patiently accepted all their abuse and ill-treatment, never once giving way to anger.

These relatives had the effrontery to seek to deprive Joseph of all his remaining possessions. When he found himself faced with this new trial he called upon God for assistance and for light as to what course to pursue. God sent his answer through the angel during the night. The angel told him to sell all that he possessed; of the proceeds he was to reserve a portion for the poor, another he was to take with him to Jerusalem to be offered in the temple; only a third and smaller portion was to be retained for his own use, because God wanted him to be poor.

He was advised to settle down in Jerusalem and there learn the carpenter's trade to provide for his daily sustenance. He was to carry on in this fashion until it pleased God to arrange things differently in his regard. He also was to remain single as he had earlier promised he would do, and as far as possible, he was to withdraw from association with other people in order to keep his innocence unsullied. He was also reassured of God's support and protection, and of the bestowal of His blessings.

This was all that Joseph needed. He proceeded quickly to carry out the directives. The disposal of his possessions, however, brought down upon him many reproaches and persecutions. He could not leave the house without being molested; ill-treatment and abuse were meted out by people whom he encountered. He was called a spendthrift, a squanderer of his father's goods, and some would shout after him: "You idiot! You lunatic! You good-for-nothing! You idler! You tramp!" Joseph accepted all this with patience, and never made any retaliation. He certainly would have had good grounds for complaint over the thievery of his relatives, yet he never did so, preferring to bear everything in silence.

Since they felt that Joseph's disposal of his remaining possessions was wasteful spending of something which they expected to accrue to themselves, his relatives laid hold of him and beat him. He endured these beatings and also the resultant injuries patiently and without rancor.

Prostrating himself on the ground he would beseech the good God to defend and deliver him from the hands of these enemies, as God had done in the past for the holy David and for many others. God promptly came to the assistance of His faithful and afflicted servant. He spoke to him interiorly, assuring him of His help and protection, and He encouraged him to continue to bear patiently this trial, for it would earn for him a great reward. This promise so consoled and stimulated Joseph, he was ready to endure even more than he now experienced. God, however, did not require this from him.

Having proved his faithfulness and patience, Joseph was spared further molestation and oppression and was allowed to go in peace. He offered to God all that he received for his property, for he wished to retain nothing at all for himself if this would be in accord with God's good pleasure. The angel, meanwhile, appeared to Joseph and advised him to leave his native village and go to Jerusalem. There Joseph would be given further information, as soon as he arrived, as to what he was to do. The next morning Joseph made ready to depart.