A story for every day...

Raynaude, by the Mas-d’Azil (Ariege).

During the month of January, Saint Joseph’s biggest creditor, who had lent three hundred francs for his work at Raynaude, was paid in full. While he was sound asleep in his country house, together with his family and servants, a vibrant and very loud voice sounded in his ears and awakened him with these words, which he heard very well: “Take care!” He shared with his family his impressions and the fears that plagued him. Must we add that his sleep became lighter. During the night of the second day, while he vainly tried to fall asleep, the dogs barked in an extraordinary way, the geese made the house resound with their shrill cries, the oxen roared and the sheep bleated. All the cattle are frightened in the stable; one sets out on foot in the dwelling, and one discovers a band of thieves who prowl around the house and try to get inside by forcing the locks. The voice that had told the master to be careful, was not chimerical. We put ourselves in a position to make a good resistance. These bandits do not let go and flee until they realize that we are watching, and that they hear a gunshot. The first thought that came to this pious family was that Saint Joseph, in whom they had blind confidence, had delivered them from danger and had paid them the three hundred francs by a signal service. Can it be otherwise?

(Ant. Rousse, parish priest.)

Saint Teresa of Avila tells us that the great Saint Joseph helps us in all our needs; what will he not do when there is a commitment made between us and him, or if we offer a sacrifice for his glory!