Page 136 - Reflections on St. Joseph

of the two Brothers (who will in fact shortly thereafter die) becomes a homage to our Holy
Patron.

In this context of “joys and sorrows”, worries and gratifications, the Founder concludes his
letter placing himself ideally alongside his Sons and inviting them to an extreme trust in the
guidance of St. Joseph: “let us therefore say to our great Patriarch: here we are all for You,
and You be all for us. You mark out the way, you sustain every step, you lead us where Diving
Providence wants us to arrive. Whether the journey is long or short, rough or smooth, the
goal seen or unseen by human eyes, quick or slow, with You we are sure to always go well.”

2. The “Josephite Theology” of the Founder

In the prayer we are examining, the concept and role of “guide”, which the Founder attributes
to St. Joseph quickly emerges. This idea is associated with the fact that Marello understands
the spiritual life as a “journey”, which therefore requires someone who will act as a guide.

Now, for the Founder, there is no doubt that the guide par excellence is the Holy Spirit. This
was recorded in a beautiful homily (May 19, 1889, Writings. 344) which is entirely a vigorous
testimony to the action of the Spirit as “guide” in our lives. From this homily we have even
drawn that invocation which we usually make use of in our meetings. Nevertheless, Marello
associates the Holy Spirit, in his role as guide, with the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph.

In particular, we can say that he chooses St. Joseph for at least 3 fundamental reasons:

A. St. Joseph is a guide in “intimate relationship with the Divine Word” (Letter 37).
In Letter 37 written on March 19, 1869 to his like-named friend Fr. Giuseppe Riccio, Marello
presents a beautiful parallel between the mission of St. Joseph and that of the priest: “O
glorious Patriarch Joseph, do not forget us who go about struggling with this miserable flesh in our
hard earthly exile. You who after the blessed Virgin, were the first to hold in your arms Jesus the
Redeemer, be also our exemplar in our ministry, which like your own, is a ministry of intimate
relationship with the Divine Word. Teach us, assist us, make us worthy members of the Holy
Family.” The parallel regards the relationship between St. Joseph and the Child Jesus, and
with St. Joseph and the ministerial priesthood (“ministry of intimate relationship” with
Jesus). Something similar is to be found in the “Draft for a Company of St. Joseph”, in Letter
83: “Everyone is to take their inspiration from St. Joseph, who was the first upon the earth to care
for the interests of Jesus.” We do not go off track if we also imagine the same similarity to be
applied, in general, to our religious consecration: what otherwise would the Vows of
chastity, poverty and obedience be if not an “intimate relationship” with Jesus himself?

B. St. Joseph is a guide in caring for the “interests of Jesus”(Letter 83).

This is a key concept in the spirituality of Marello, and we can say, center of the entire letter
of foundation. In fact, the expression returns multiple times in fundamental passages:
- I gathered some of my friends in the same spirit of union under the auspices of St. Joseph to serve
the interests of Jesus in his new Church...
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Reflections on st. joseph