The mercy of God be eternally praised! He was not satisfied to have given us such a marvelous Redeemer in Jesus Christ, who suffered for us on the Cross, enlightened us with His heavenly doctrines, strengthens and sanctifies us with His Sacraments and guides us in His Church — Jesus is also in every condition of life an example for us to whom we look up and consider ourselves accordingly as His redeemed. The whole Christian world of childhood finds in the Divine Child sweet peace, grace and innocence: a world of poor people find consolation and satisfaction in the example of our Divine Saviour, who Himself was poor and blessed and sanctified poverty; another world of sufferers finds resignation and patience in beholding the suffering Saviour who by His Cross and suffering has sanctified the sufferings of this life and raised them to the royal road to heaven. In the mercy of our Divine Saviour the rich learn mercy, in His humility the powerful humility. There is no state, no calling, no age and no sex which cannot learn from the life and the example of Jesus Christ virtue and find peace and grace.

But, dear Christian mothers, what makes God’s mercy and providence still more adorable is His amiable care through examples from our own midst. He shows how we can follow and imitate Jesus. Glorious and sublime are the hosts of the Apostles, of the Martyrs and Confessors, of the Virgins and Saints from every state of life. They are the glory of God, the honor of Jesus and the adornment of the Catholic Church: they are the pride of the Christians, the ornament of mankind, the crown of Christianity and are beacon-lights in this earthly life. The purest diamonds which shine in this crown of Saints are Mary and Joseph. Verily, after the love and adoration of Jesus there is no love and no reverence which so joyfully moves the hearts of Catholic Christians and which is spread throughout the world as the love and the reverence for the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster-father, St. Joseph. Jesus, Mary and Joseph are the three glorious names which live on the tongues and in the hearts of all. Jesus, Mary and Joseph are the three most blessed names which at all times dispense joy, consolation and grace. They are on the tongues and in the hearts of the children and fill the childish soul with sweet joy. They are on the tongues of the adults and impart strength and courage. In the mouths of the suffering they inspire patience and resignation ; on the tongue of the sinner they are the greatest hope and on the lips of the dying the last and only confidence.

No tongue can say, no pen describe, what Jesus, Mary and Joseph are in heaven in the circle of the blessed, and what they are too for us, at the throne of God as our intercessors. But as they lived once upon earth, they are for all, especially for Christian families, the most glorious model. Oh, may this picture be engraved on the hearts of all families, how happy, how blessed and harmonious would then be the family, father, mother and child !

If we, Christian mothers, reverently enter the modest dwelling at Nazareth, then we would see the holiest family that ever lived upon earth. It consists only of three persons, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, as it were, an earthly Trinity, a reflection of the eternal and divine one. They are indeed poor, very poor, but contented; they are unknown, unesteemed by men, but all the happier. Quiet, order and peace reign in the modest home — a picture of Paradise. Labor and prayer, sweet conversation and recreation elevate the harmony and increase the joy. Oh, happy the Christian family which takes the holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, as its prototype, where everything as at Nazareth breathes peace, love and order! Happy the Christian family, when the father imitates St. Joseph, the mother Mary, and the children the Divine Child! Happy the family where man commands with the gentleness and the kindness of Joseph and with the love and joy of Jesus and Mary obeys: where one heart and one soul unites all labor and prayer and peaceful recreation taken in the circle of the family increases the harmony, draws down the blessing of God and increases grace.

It is true, St. Joseph had to bear with many anxieties and sufferings on account of Mary and the Divine Child, in the stable at Bethlehem, on the flight to Egypt and at the loss of the Divine Boy in the temple at Jerusalem. But all his cares and pains could not shatter his patience nor disturb the peace and the harmony of his family. Joys followed sorrows, and now St. Joseph is marvelously rewarded in heaven and more than happy at the sight of the glory of Jesus and Mary.

You also, Christian mothers, will have to undergo many struggles in order to preserve in your families order, peace and piety. But if you strive and labor for it, it is the more meritorious for you. St. Joseph prays for you. You will have many cares on account of the true Christian welfare of your children. St. Joseph will share these cares with you. You will have more than ever the calling to protect your children from the prevalent immorality in order to save them for God and the Catholic faith. St. Joseph will protect you in your holy calling, if you often recommend yourselves and your family to him. And when you have faithfully fulfilled your life’s work, then may you also once like St. Joseph rejoice in your own and in your family’s eternal happiness and be united and remain like Jesus, Mary and Joseph in heavenly bliss eternally. Amen.

The Beauty and Truth of the Catholic Church Vol. 3 (1913)
Rev. Edward Jones