Apparitions of St. Joseph?

Often enough, these days, we hear of Our Lady appearing somewhere in the world – without a doubt Marian apparitions have dramatically increased in the last century and the Holy Mother’s public apparitions in places such as Lourdes, Fatima, and Medjugorje are familiar to many Catholics … but what about St. Joseph?  Well, apparently, he’s appeared, too, on several occasions, for the benefit of God’s people.

2021 has been dedicated by the Church

to St. Joseph & the Holy Family!

In fact, appearances of the Saint – usually in the company of his Immaculate Spouse – are seemingly on the increase, leading this author to believe it's St. Joseph’s time to "rise" … and it’s not a farfetched notion in light of how the sacredness and values of the Christian family/household are now being blatantly undermined by a modern society hell-bent on "progress" ... but it's all just insanity!

St. Joseph has long been considered the Patron Saint of the Family by the Church, given how God placed him in the unique and important role as the head and protector of the Holy Family.  This author strongly believes it’s not a coincidence 2021 was declared the Year of St. Joseph and the Holy Family by Pope Francis because the Lord has a way of providentially arranging events ... and, at present, our world – our families – urgently need the faith example, intercession, and paternal protection of this great Saint against the dark forces destroying families.  It’s simply St. Joseph's time.

So, in special tribute to the great foster father of our Lord, this ministry is pleased to share a few stories of St. Joseph's rare appearances on earth, which readers may find enlightening:

+ COTIGNAC, FRANCE (Church-approved)

On June 7, 1660, atop Mt. Bessillon in the French commune of Cotignac, a 22-year-old youth named, Gaspard Ricard, was herding sheep.  It was an extremely hot day and by noon the shepherd had already drank his ration of water when he stopped to rest near a boulder.  To his surprise, a tall, stately-looking man appeared out of nowhere, pointed to the large rock and said: "I am Joseph.  Lift the rock and you will have drink."

 

Glancing at the nearby boulder, Gaspard was incredulous at seeing how big the rock was and he replied to the stranger that it would be too heavy to lift on his own.  In response, the man only repeated his instruction to “lift the rock” so the young man did as he was told, the second time around, and the boulder easily moved.  Where it once rested was revealed fresh, clean water that suddenly began flowing from the spot!  When Gaspard turned to thank his benefactor, he had already vanished as mysteriously as he appeared.

Gaspard later reported the apparition and the subsequent discovery of the spring to the townsfolk, who immediately attributed the apparition to St. Joseph, which resulted in a spontaneous pilgrimage to Mt. Bessillon.  The water proved to have healing properties as many cures occurred, and continue to be reported even to the present time.

Today, a chapel stands at the site of the miraculous fountain of St. Joseph in Cotignac.  The water still flows and pilgrims continue to drink of it, along with venerating a hallowed statue of St. Joseph and the Christ Child placed in a niche overlooking the water’s source.

   

The exterior of the shrine of St. Joseph

in Cotignac, France.  The source of the

miracle spring is marked by a stone

monument (right).

+ KNOCK, IRELAND (Church-approved)

On the cold and rainy evening of Thursday, August 21, 1879 a group of parishioners reported apparitions at the south-facing gable wall of the parish church of Knock.  There were 15 official witnesses to the miracle which was comprised of heavenly figures that included Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist, several angels … and a Lamb standing on an altar behind which was a large cross.  None of the figures spoke for the two hours they remained visible at the site.

According to the witnesses, the apparitions were life-sized 3 dimensional, living persons (not flat, projected images); all were dressed in white and floating in midair about 2 feet off the ground; a brilliant aura of light enveloped the figures and the gable.  Although the apparition was outdoors and it was raining heavily, all the figures remained completely dry while the visionaries were soaked in the downpour.

The chapel of the apparition of Knock.

The original gable is contained inside its

interior with statues representing the

holy persons who appeared in 1879.

St. Joseph’s physical appearance was described as a mature gentleman with "iron-grey whiskers", who stood to the Blessed Mother’s right, slightly inclined towards her in an attitude of respect.

Although no verbal message was given at Knock, the prayerful postures of Our Lady and the Saints in worship and intercession before the Lamb of God spoke volumes to the seers!  There was also an apocalyptic tone to this apparition as it bore imagery reminiscent of the Scroll and Sacrificial Lamb described in the Book of Revelation, Chapter 5:5 - 14. 

+ FATIMA, PORTUGAL (Church-approved)

There are people who are unaware that St. Joseph also made an appearance during the famed apparitions of Fatima.  He appeared at the site during the sixth visitation to the shepherd children on October 13th, 1917.  This event had already been announced to the visionaries on the previous apparition of September 13th when Our Lady told them: "In October, our Lord will also come, as well as Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and St. Joseph with the Child Jesus, to bless the world."

When the day foretold arrived, Sr. Lucia in her memoirs recorded that St. Joseph appeared next to the sun carrying the Holy Child, with the Blessed Virgin standing beside them.  As it was indicated to them, St. Joseph blessed the world by silently tracing the Sign of the Cross, which Jesus also did.  Both did not speak a word.

An artistic rendering of the apparition

of the Holy Family at Fatima during the

6th apparition on October 13th, 1917.

There are Fatima scholars who speculate the blessings bestowed by Jesus and St. Joseph were particularly intended for families, as this apparition was essentially of the Holy Family; perhaps for strength and special protection against challenges that lay ahead for Christian households.  It’s a theory supported by a statement quoted from a letter written by Sr. Lucia: "The final battle between the Lord and the reign of Satan will be about marriage and the family."  Are we, today, at this "final battle"?

+ GHIAIE DI BONATE, ITALY (Unapproved apparitions)

Beginning on May 13, 1944 (the anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady at Fatima), a then 7-year-old girl named Adelaide Roncalli claimed 13 apparitions of Our Lady.  Eight of these encounters were actually visits from the Holy Family since they included St. Joseph and the Christ Child. During some of the apparitions, cures occurred and signs in the sky, such as the dancing sun, were witnessed by up to 300,000 spectators - devotees and curiosity seekers, alike!  The messages the Virgin delivered were practical lessons for families, which prompted the title Mary, Queen of the Family.  Below are a few excerpts from the messages of Ghiaie di Bonate:

"Prayers and repentance. Pray for the poor stubborn sinners who are dying in this moment and who pierce my Heart.  The prayer I like best is the Hail Mary."  ~ May 18, 1944 (6th apparition)

  "No, it is not necessary for everybody to come here; those who can afford it may come and they will be healed or remain sick according to their sacrifices, but they must not commit great sins anymore… Meditate upon these words all the days of your life, summon up your courage in all your sorrows.  You will see me again in the hour of your death; I will keep you under my cloak and will take you to Heaven."   ~ May 19, 1944 (7th apparition)

   

An artistic representation of the alleged

child-seer, Adelaide Roncalli, being visited

by the Holy Family. The image on the right

depicts another representation of the

Blessed Virgin in one of her apparitions

at Ghiaie di Bonate.

  "Pray for the stubborn sinners who make my heart suffer because they do not think of death… Peace is coming soon, but I am anxious for that world peace in which everybody loves one another like brothers."   ~ May 28, 1944 (10th apparition)

  "The sick who want to be healed must trust me more, and sanctify their suffering if they want to earn Paradise.  If they do not do this, they will not be awarded and will be severely punished instead.  I hope that all those who get to know my words will make every kind of effort to earn Paradise.  Those who suffer without complaining will obtain anything they ask from my Son and me.  Pray a lot for those who have a sick soul; my Son Jesus died on the cross to save them.  Many people do not understand these words of mine — that is why I suffer so much."  ~ May 29, 1944 (11th apparition)

It should be noted these apparitions are not approved by the Church, as of this writing.  On April 30, 1948 the then Bishop of Bergamo issued a decree forbidding the spread of any form of devotion to the apparitions of Ghiaie di Bonate.  However, in February 2019, the current Bishop issued an updated mandate stating the local church’s commitment "… to authorize, value, and accompany the cult of ‘Mary Queen of the Family’ at the parish chapel", which negated his predecessor’s 1948 decree, but stopped short at confirming the supernatural character of the apparitions.  So today there is a thriving chapel in Ghiaie di Bonate where the Sacraments are allowed to be celebrated and administered to pilgrims who come to pray to the Holy Family, which makes the author comfortable about posting on these events.

There are a few other modern apparitions of St. Joseph that haven’t been included in this post due to some controversial aspects surrounding them, but the above should be sufficient to show that St. Joseph is indeed spiritually active in the Church; working hard alongside his Divine Son and his beloved spouse, Mary, to bring souls to salvation.

And of course there are the countless Saints throughout history to whom St. Joseph privately appeared to or miraculously aided in order to encourage their personal quests for sanctity.  Among them are St. Andre Bessette of Montreal, St. Euphrasia Eluvathingal of India, St. Gertrude the Great, St. Junipero Serra, Bl. Maria Repetto, St. Mariam Thresia Mankidiyan, and St. Teresa of Avila, just to name a few.  These Saints, along with countless other devotees of St. Joseph have received abundant graces and favors through their Patron, which is why the Church, for centuries, has recommended to the Faithful to:

I T E  A D  J O S E P H !

(Go to Joseph)

If you haven't already done so, let 2021 be the opportunity for you to go to this Saint for blessings in your life.  If God can entrust his only begotten Son and the Holy Virgin to the care of this man, we can confidently entrust ourselves to St. Joseph's care, too.

St. Joseph, protector of the Church

and families, pray for us!

Novena Prayer in Honor of St. Joseph, the Chaste Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"Would that I could persuade

all men to be devoted to this glorious

Saint [St. Joseph], for I know by long

experience what blessings he can

obtain for us from God."

~ Words of St. Teresa of Avila

St. Joseph, pray for us!

This ministry pays special honor to St. Joseph, the foster-father of our Lord... and readers are encouraged to honor him, as well.  Believe me - St. Joseph's intercession is AWESOME before the heavenly throne of his Divine Son.  Recite the prayer below consistently for 9 consecutive days, with trust in his power to intercede... just see what happens. **

** TIP:  For this novena - any prayer - to be successful, there must be a measure of faith; a belief that God, in his infinite goodness, can answer our prayer.  Without faith, prayer has no power.

The Memorare to St. Joseph

Remember, O St. Joseph, loving and

powerful protector, that according to the

testimony of your faithful servant, St.

Teresa of Avila, no one who is truly devoted

to you has seen his petition rejected.  Filled

with confidence and hope I come to you,

O worthy Spouse of Mary Immaculate. 

[mention your personal intention here]

Do not close your ears to my prayers,

you who have the glorious title of Father

of Jesus, but hear it and present it for

me to Him who has vouchsafed to be

called your son.  Amen.

[pray an Our Father, a Hail Mary,

and a Glory Be]

St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal

Church, pray for us!

"The children of the world are ignorant

regarding the privileges and rights, which

the Most High has conferred on my holy

spouse, and the power of his intercession

with the Divine Majesty and with me...

In all trials seek his intercession, because

the Heavenly Father will grant whatever

my spouse asks."

~ Words of Our Lady to

Ven. Mary of Agreda

St. Joseph, Patron of Departing Souls

 

I  have a confession… until fairly recently, I never paid much attention to our dear, illustrious St. Joseph, the foster father of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Don’t get me wrong – I know he's a great, great Saint.  I mean, how could St. Joseph not be GREAT if God chose him out of all the men of his time to be the earthly guardian of His only begotten son, as well as the Blessed Virgin Mary?  But I guess because there's so little we know about him compared to other Saints - notable ones like St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Rita of Cascia, or St. Catherine of Siena, etc. - that it sometimes becomes easy to overlook St. Joseph, whose life was quietly hidden although I'm sure not lacking in exceptional sanctity and heroic acts of love and charity towards his fellow man.  For me, at least, that's how it was - I neglected to fully respect and honor this holiest of men and I'm a little embarrassed about admitting it... until now.

 

This past Tuesday, my family experienced a loss that really hit us deeply – a dear uncle of mine passed away in our home.  Although he'd been sickly in the last few months, his death still came as a shock when it occurred sometime in the early morning hours; he died unattended while sitting on his favorite recliner.  Our hearts are mourning his loss and I know we’ll continue to miss him for a very long time to come… but this is where St. Joseph unexpectedly stepped in, and through a string of "coincidences" made his gentle presence known to my family and me,  bringing consolation and  peace during our time of overwhelming sorrow.

 

First off, before continuing, let me just share that within the past year I've started making it a point to pray regularly to St. Joseph – usually in the mornings before I leave for work and when I attend noon Mass at our Honolulu Cathedral where there's a beautiful marble statue of him in the sanctuary (see the photo at the end of this post).  My prayer to the Saint is always the same – that he will protect my family and our household, as he protected his Holy Family… and that he intercede for me to be graced with a blessed and holy death, like how he was blessed to have in the presence of Jesus and Our Lady.

So going back to the day my uncle died… the whole Church should be well aware that it was St. Joseph's Feast Day on that day - March 19th - so for me it was the first glimmer of hope that my uncle's unattended passing may not have been "unattended" after all; that the day God chose for him to quit this world was not a mere coincidence since St. Joseph is the Patron Saint of a Peaceful and Happy Death.  I had hoped, that somehow there was really more to the auspicious date and that perhaps St. Joseph's intercession was involved.

 

Furthermore, as our day progressed and more people learned of our loss, visitors came and went.  Surprisingly, among the people who stopped by to offer his condolences was a neighbor who we never really associated with except for an occasional wave whenever we drove pass his home.  In one hand he carried an envelope… but in the other, a small vase with a single flower in it – a very large lily in full bloom (left photo)!  Again, devotees who are familiar with good ol’ St. Joseph know that the lily figures prominently in the hagiography of the Saint, as it is often used to symbolize the purity of his soul.  Was this another sign from St. Joseph... or just another coincidence?  We wondered about it, but what we didn't know was that a more convincing confirmation was still yet to come...

 

Later in the evening after all our visitors had left, my family gathered together to pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary for the repose of my uncle's soul.  It was roughly about 10:30pm.  During our prayer, I became aware of two unusual smells that seemed to have suddenly materialized in our midst.  To my left, I recognized the familiar tobacco smell that had always clung to my uncle's body (he was a heavy smoker).  It wasn't an unpleasant odor, rather it was something that our family just got used to about him; I knew my uncle's spirit was present… but it was the delightful fragrance that came from my right hand side that surprised me more and held my attention - it was the scent of fresh lilies although there were no flowers anywhere near us, including the single lily blossom we received earlier in the day! 

 

I kept quiet at first, but as the smokey smell and the fragrance kept wafting towards me in greater intensity, I finally broke down and asked our small group if anyone else detected what I was smelling.  Two others immediately said they smelled the smoke from my uncle's favorite brand of cigarettes but oddly no one else could smell the perfume of flowers. Needless to say, the rest of our Rosary Prayer was offered with much more fervency, as we all sensed we were in the presence of something extraordinary.  I had no doubt it was St. Joseph reassuring us that my uncle's soul was not lost and that the Saint had taken him under his special care during his final moments of earthly life. However, I also speculate that we were strongly being encouraged to continue praying for my uncle, as his soul had not yet merited the direct presence of God; we Catholics refer to it as Purgatory.

 

So as much as Tuesday had been a terrible day for our household, at the end of it, we were all comforted at the thought that a great Saint was watching over our uncle on the other side, and they had both (my uncle and St. Joseph) reached out to us in a special manner to assure us that my uncle was going to be fine.  The signs were subtle but they made a deep impression - how else would we expect St. Joseph to be?  His presence in Sacred Scriptures was itself subtle... yet despite the little he was mentioned in the Bible, whatever words were written about him made a lasting enough impression of his sanctity to countless of the Faithful throughout the centuries... including with me, too. 

 

I greatly admire St. Joseph and appreciate his unique role in Salvation History, now more so.  I get it why so many Saints had such strong devotions to him (e.g. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Andre Bessette, Bl. Maria Repetto, etc.).  There's just something about his masculine - strong yet gentle nature - that reminds one of a grandpa, an uncle, or perhaps even one's own dad; it's rather comfortable and "homey".

So before ending this latest posting, I'd like to share the beautiful prayer below, which is one I've been praying every morning in front of a little statue of St. Joseph and a clothing-relic of his in my ministry's custody.  I feel in my heart that the coincidental signs and blessings we received on March 19th were due to the sincere and diligent recital of this prayer to "St. Joe", as I sometimes affectionately refer to him.  Please pray it and may you also experience the help of this Saint in your own life... and perhaps even at the end of it.  St. Joseph, help of the dying, pray for us.

The altar of St. Joseph in the sanctuary of

the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace.

 

 An Efficacious Prayer to St. Joseph 

 

   O, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God.  I place in you all my interests and desires. St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers.

 

   O, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss his fine head for me and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.  St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for me.  Amen.