A story for every day...
The foster father of the poor.
At the convent of Saint-Charles, one Good Friday, the eve of the last day of March, a Sister in charge of expenses noticed that there was no more wine; she called a worker who was in the house, to make sure that she was not mistaken and to try to draw at least enough wine to get through the day; but this man said to her: “Your barrel is empty; it can give you nothing more.”
Only the next day the bursar was warned, and too late to buy some and bring it in the same day, since it was Holy Saturday.
She got a little for the Easter holidays. The next day she bought enough to fill the only two barrels in the cellar.
“But before carrying the wine,” said the merchant, “I must make sure that your casks are in good condition.” So he came to visit them, along with two workers from his house; but behold, as they tried to lift the barrel to take it out, they met with resistance. The bursar notices this; she goes to help. Everyone is surprised to discover an almost full barrel.
The Sister asks to check the second barrel, adding with certainty: “In this one you will find only a bottom of vinegar, for the barrel is spoiled.” It is opened; the wine flows very strongly, against general expectation; it is excellent and has not the slightest bad taste; it has been clear to the last drop. “Oh! for this time,” exclaimed the merchant, “you will go to heaven, for you are working miracles!”
The poor treasurer, all confused at not having visited the cellar before buying wine, did not know what to answer! She was thinking neither of the miracle, nor of Saint Joseph!
Hardly recovered from her confusion, she opened her eyes, as did all the Sisters. They said among themselves: “Our children, almost all poor orphans, have prayed so well to Saint Joseph, especially during the last nine days of his month, that this good Father wanted to reward so many supplications.”
The children had added good works to the prayers, and every day they marked them on a sheet placed for that purpose at the feet of Saint Joseph. The Sisters had to face the facts and cried out, “It is Saint Joseph who protects us.” They had invoked him to help them in their poverty; for their workhouse had not yet been founded. They had, to suffice for everything, only their daily work.
According to the calculation of the content of the barrels, in front of the daily consumption, they had to be really empty. This has been attested by clerics and other trustworthy people.
Saint Joseph, the provider of the Holy Family, worked by the sweat of his brow to ensure the daily bread. His wisdom and diligence are not diminished. If we knew how to entrust our worries to him, he would give us daily testimonies of his power.
