Page 154 - Reflections on St. Joseph

is a ministry of intimate relationship to the Divine Word. Teach us, assist us, and make us worthy
members of the Holy Family.”(Letter 37, op.cit.p.157). Having been ordained a priest on September
19, 1868, he wrote these words to his friend Fr. Giuseppe Riccio in the middle of March, 1869,
that is, six months later. From these words comes the core of his devotion to St. Joseph. Here,
brothers, let us stay a moment to meditate on the greatness of the heart of St. Joseph under this
aspect of his intimate relationship with Jesus: relationship which is communion of life, a sharing
of intentions, and exchange of sublime affection, a service of love. St. Joseph Marello intuits all
these things in the first months of his priesthood, understanding well that this priest must also
live a ministerial relationship of intimacy with the Divine Word.” It is a priestly life understood in
the light of the mission of Joseph: ministry of intimate relationship with Jesus. Today, at the
distance of more than a hundred years, this teaching, this invitation to live our priesthood like
this is addressed to every Oblate of St. Joseph, priest or brother.

2. Guide in the religious life.

The Holy Founder chose, ten years later (ordained a priest in 1868 - Founder in 1878 at 34 years
of age), for himself and his children, a model of religious life: “the service of God in imitation of St.
Joseph.” He expressed himself thus: “Let us commend ourselves to glorious St. Joseph, guide and
master of the spiritual life, unsurpassable model of the interior life.” If we are willing, we can find, in
these expressions of his, a ver clear reference to the virtues proper to the religious vows. As
regards chastity, in letter 254 written to Fr. Cortona, he invites the Brothers “to learn the language
of the Saints so as to not lose their purity of life and not neglect their blossoms of piety and good
manners”. Chastity is seen as transparency of thinking, of words and purity of life. As regards
poverty, he refers again and again to the poverty of St. Joseph, even in the little things, those
which we would say were of little importance. Even as to the positioning of the statue of St.
Joseph and the arrangement of the chapel. The writings of St. Joseph Marello are filled with such
remarks. As regards obedience, that phrase is
striking where he speaks about the greatness of
it, together with fear and sadness when it is not
observed. It is the fear of a father who foresees
the ruin of some of his children: “Ah, obedience
(not that which is only occasionally to open an eye
to one’s advantage, but rather that said to be blind),
how many graces are attracted by it from
heaven...let us mourn that not a few brothers have
let dry up the sprouting of this virtue which St.
Joseph wanted firmly rooted in their hearts. Let us
deplore their fate and make it an object of our
meditation.” (Letter 263, op.cit.,p. 646). He
recommended the imitation of St. Joseph in
“common and ordinary virtues”, writing: “He
was entirely dedicated to work and his exterior
occupations for the support of the Holy Family, and
therefore was able to pray but little...He practiced
humble and hidden virtues, always calm, serene
and tranquil, even in the midst of exterior cares. He
was perfectly conformed to the divine will... Let us
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Reflections on st. joseph