Patrons of the “Lay Community of St Joseph”

The special Patrons of the “Lay Community of St Joseph” are:

St André of Montreal (Brother André)
St Francis of Sales
St Teresa of Avila
St Catherine of Siena

St André of Montreal (Brother André)

St André of Montreal, the humility in person:

he founded the greatest Sanctuary of St Joseph in Montreal. He was a very great miracle-worker and still is today.

He lived from 1845 to 1937.

St Francis of Sales

St Francis of Sales, born at the Château of the Sales family near Thorens in Savoy on 21 August 1567. In Paris and Padua he obtained a doctorate in law. He became a priest against the will of his parents. He worked as a missionary for five years in the Chablais region, which had fallen prey to Calvinism, at the south bank of Lake Geneva. On several occasions they tried to kill him; he always escaped through GOD’s protection. After unspeakable troubles he won back the whole region for the true faith. In 1602, he was appointed Bishop of Geneva. He paid a yearly visit to his large diocese encouraging the faithful to do good, to remain loyal to the faith, to be vigilant while keeping in mind their eternal destination. He repeatedly mentioned the merits of St Joseph in his sermons. He was a spiritual director of a large elite in France and Savoy. The Pope wanted to appoint him as a cardinal of the Roman Curia, the King as a Bishop at his court in Paris. Francis of Sales refused both offers out of loyalty to his poor diocese. In 1610, he founded together with St Jane Frances de Chantal the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary. He died on a journey in Lyon on 28 December 1622.

St Teresa of Avila

St Teresa of Avila: she lived from 1515 to 1582. She was a Carmelite nun, a reformer of the order, and a Doctor of the Church. Thanks to her there was a new surge in the Church in veneration of St Joseph. Eleven of her 18 newly founded convents are dedicated to St Joseph.

Her sayings: “St Joseph always helps in all matters.” “He is helper in physical illness and in other needs.”

“You will make great progress in your spiritual life by venerating St Joseph.”

“True devotion to Mary will also include St Joseph.”

“Mary and Joseph save people from going astray spiritually.”

“St Joseph leads those gone astray back to the safe road.” “St Joseph is an outstanding intercessor.”

“Even if you have many Saints as intercessors, you should nevertheless venerate St Joseph as such in a very special way; because he is very demanding towards GOD!”

St Catherine of Siena

St Catherine of Siena (1347 – 1380): she was born on Annunciation Day, one year before the terrible plague destroyed half of the Siena population. They were a large family. Her mother was called Lapa and her father Jacob. Being the 24th child, she was the youngest. Another sister followed, yet died prematurely. They all loved Catherine because she could chatter so cheerfully and because of her religious disposition. She had a great love for the Mother of GOD. She promised eternal virginity before her statue. She had apparitions of JESUS CHRIST and was allowed to become spiritually betrothed to Him. CHRIST put a ring on her finger which was always visible to her. He wanted her to go to the people and take care of their needs. At first with her parents and then with the poor and sick. In the hospital she took care of the patients whom no one would nurse. One time the Mother of GOD appeared to her again and placed the Infant JESUS in her arms. And then CHRIST offered her two crowns to choose from. She chose the crown of thorns in order to be like Him. She was granted a special mystical grace in Pisa by receiving His holy stigmata. The cross from which she received the stigmata was later brought to Siena. Many more miraculous extraordinary things happened to her. She was a great peacemaker in families, beyond borders, between Popes, people, kings.

CHRIST promised her: “I will always be with you. I will guide you and lead you back. You will take My honourable name and the saving teachings before the young and old, before lay people, clerics and religious. Because I will give you a voice and a wisdom no one can withstand. I will also lead you to Popes, to the leaders of the Church and of the Christian people, because I want to destroy, in My usual way, the pride of the strong through what is weak.”

It would be worthwhile to learn more about St Catherine.

Let us frequently invoke these great, holy devotees of Joseph in order that they may support us and help the community to grow inwards and outwards.