Experiences
Reports about Great Help of st Joseph
A Wonderful Help at Work
In the summer of 2017 my father was critically ill. We had taken 2.5 hectares (about 6.2 acres) of land on lease. My husband mowed and I raked the edges. I asked St Joseph to send me some help, someone who could lend me a helping hand with all the work and it would be nice if it were a religious person as well. That would be my most fervent wish. Because with all that work I was at my wit’s end.
Two walkers came along, very close to me. The one started to sing “Family Ramseier wanted to mow” and I joined in. The other walker enjoyed it and said: “I have never seen anything like it before!” Then I said hello to the two ramblers. After a short conversation one of the two gentlemen asked me what I am wearing around my neck. With pleasure I explained to him that I was a member of the “Lay Community of St Joseph.” At this, the other gentleman told us a nice event of St Joseph, which happened to a colleague. A sudden thought crossed my mind: “I could use such a man.” This gentleman introduced himself as Manfred Walker, his second name being Joseph, he lives in a retirement home … I said to him that I would visit him one day.
It took about two months before I had the opportunity to do so because my father had died in the meantime. My mother registered in a rest home. And so I paid Manfred Walker a visit. He invited me to have coffee and told me amongst many things also that he was looking for a job. I told him that I am looking for someone who can help me to cope with the work. I also told him that I had prayed to St Joseph for it. He told me that he had prayed together with some colleagues that he might find a job and that he wanted to work without pay.
Without delay, he came to see our farm, he put on proper work clothes so that he could start working right away. There was still time to introduce him to my mother, who soon afterwards moved to the rest home. Also in this respect, Manfred Joseph was very helpful to me. It was a great relief to me. “Father Joseph, how wonderfully well everything is arranged by You. I thank You wholeheartedly!” (M. R.)
Helper in Great Worries
My parents-in-law, L. and C., could peacefully discuss the booking of guests without L., who has a very easily aroused temper, having any outbursts. Again and again I experience the help of St Joseph with sick relatives. Also, in great and rightful concerns, he is simply there. “Beloved Father Joseph, thank You for so many things!” (A. R.)
The Fine Did Not Arrive
In September we were busy cutting the reeds at Lake Aegeri to be used for litter. When my husband was on his way with his tractor and trailer, he ran into a police control. They demanded to see his papers: exhaust inspection document, driving licence, vehicle registration document, and so on. My husband did not have any of them with him. The police officer took down his particulars and assured my husband that he had worked in vain today. At that time I had already begun working and was supposed to make litter with the tractor mower. It did not work out as well as it should with the mower so I started working manually. After a while my husband came and immediately noticed that I did not fare so well, either. He then told me that he had been caught in a police control and had not been able to show the police any of his papers. My answer: “I prefer being fined to having an accident.” I secretly asked St Joseph for help saying: “I would rather give you the money than the police. Please see to it that they do not send us a fine.” The year has passed and we did not receive a ticket. I kept my promise and there is nothing left for me but to thank St Joseph wholeheartedly for his so many different kinds of help! (M. R.)
Road Tarring Before Christmas
In our entire district the fibre-optic cable network had been installed and they tore up the pavement everywhere, also before the entrance to our house, that is to say, before the garage entrance where we also park our car. The ditch was only filled with soil and grit and our tyres were constantly full of earth and dust, especially when it rained, taking lots of dirt into our garage. Christmas was just around the corner and the workmen showed no signs of tarring the ditch. During Christmas and often even weeks afterwards they ceased working – holiday period. I visited the foreman in his construction trailer and asked him when they would tar the ditch. His answer did not give me much hope because soon it was holiday season and the weather would be bad next week so that they would not be able to start tarring. I urgently requested him to have a look since we drag all the mud into our garage. I will see what I can do, he said. I went home and implored St Joseph to help me. Then I forgot about it. I could not believe my eyes when, after two days, a group of workmen came with an excavator filling and tarring the ditch. I was over the moon. “Thank You, Saint Joseph!” (V. M.)
Thanks Be to St Joseph
My elder daughter and I prayed a novena to St Joseph for a flat and a job. – Really, after two months she received the flat and also the job. “Glory, praise and thanks to Saint Joseph!” (A. R.)
Eye Injury Turned Out Well
I was in the cowshed feeding the animals. A cow turned its head, and its horn struck the corner of my eye. It was bleeding and the pain was fierce. I stayed calm. My husband immediately called an ambulance. The emergency doctor opened my eye and wanted to know if I can see, to which I could with relief say yes. In hospital they found out that the tear duct was injured, had to be cleaned and stitched. I could leave the eye clinic after one day. I thank St Joseph with all my heart for his protection and his help, and for saving my eye. (M. R.)
Successful House-Hunt
For years a mother had been looking for a house for her family. St Joseph was constantly bombarded with requests and, consequently, he came up with a fantastic solution. The mother made the remark: “The house came to me!” – “Thank You, Saint Joseph!” (A. R.)
Shared Costs
We had another major damage to our farm equipment. And again we had to file a claim with the insurance company. The costs amounted to 7,200 Swiss Francs. My request went, as so often, to St Joseph that he may see to it that the costs would somehow be within our means. Through favourable negotiations the costs were cut in three and we only had to pay 2,000 Swiss Francs. “Saint Joseph, I cannot thank You enough!” (M. R.)
An Amazed Female Cashier
When I was doing my shopping at Lidl or Aldi there was pushing and shoving at the checkout Purchase with the credit card was no longer possible. Not until I had put all my shopping on the conveyor belt and was standing before the cashier, did I find out because she asked me if I liked to pay with my credit card. I said yes because it was a big shop and I did not have enough cash on me either. She told me that it did not work. I did not feel like taking down everything from the conveyor belt again and looking for a post office in order to withdraw money. Only one thought “Oh, Saint Joseph!” crossed my mind rather instinctively. I just tried to pay with my card hoping that it would work. And indeed it worked, the cashier stared at me in amazement and said, that was really something, normally only every tenth customer has succeeded so far, if at all, and I was successful at the first attempt. I smiled and told her: “You know, I have a good friend up there who helped me,” and I pointed upwards. Questioningly, she looked up at the ceiling probably thinking: “There is nothing at all any more up there.” I said that it was much higher up. The name of my helper is St Joseph. She was amazed and probably did not understand the world any more, and I left, happy with my purchases. (V. M.)
The Insurance Accepted the Claim
In May 2016 we wanted to bale the rest of our hay. Our neighbour had a hay baler and with it we baled the hay that we kept in our barn. Suddenly there was a loud noise coming from the baler. We had to turn it off immediately. What had happened? A piece of wood was hidden in a great haystack. It got into the hay dispenser. This machine transports the hay into the baler. Result: the hay comes out in bales. The piece of wood completely jammed the machine with a damage totalling 6,000 Swiss Francs. We reported this to our insurance company. Whatever could go wrong went wrong. The insurance company’s reply: this matter is not covered in our policy. A struggle – a lot of back-and-forth. I promised St Joseph to donate 1,000 Swiss Francs if the insurance company agreed to pay for the damage. After all our struggle we had to face up to paying for the damage ourselves. In addition, I prayed a novena to St Joseph. After a while, the insurance company called. A Mr P.S. was on the phone. He asked me if I had time to meet his client O.K. I took the opportunity to plead with him to do something about our insurance incident. O.K. had made a total revision of the baler in winter, also the parts that were damaged, amounting to 11,000 Swiss Francs. P.S. drew up a very simple letter using the proper words, stating amongst other things also that this amount of money would be a great burden for the farmer and his family. After a couple of days I received a letter from the insurance company that they would pay for the costs. Yoohoo! (M. R.)
Intercession of St Joseph
The restaurant owner of the Oberbrunn alpine pasture in Tyrol, called F. – a religious man, called me aside in the spring of 2017 and asked me to intercede with St Joseph on behalf of his son, a well-qualified engineer. He needed a good job nearby. In the beginning of September, I visited the Oberbrunn alpine pasture once again with my daughter J. When I inquired about his son’s job, F. laughed and said: “Great!” His son D. starts working for the Liebherr Company in Telfs on 1 October. “Thank You, Saint Joseph, and thanks be to GOD for granting such graces!” (A.R.)
Exchange of a Wall Painting
From time to time I look after my neighbours’ two little girls, a nice family, but they were not married. The wife is expecting her third child, and the father is very much looking forward to it since it is going to be a boy. I asked St Joseph to see to it and he helped. They got married in church.
Because all the doors are always open, I went into the parents’ bedroom as the girls wanted to play with me there. Well, on the wall I saw a large picture of two beautiful young people who embraced each other passionately, and you could tell what would happen next because they were naked. It was really embarrassing for me because there was so much passion in it and it should not be shown in such a way. I asked St Joseph to make this picture disappear because I found it not appropriate for the two girls to see something like that. Well, yesterday I took care of them again for a little while, their mother had to go to hospital because she was in labour prematurely and now has to lie down. I had a very cautious look into the bedroom and lo and behold, my heart rejoiced. There was a little, plain picture on the wall, probably painted by a child. It was a load off my mind. “Thank You, Saint Joseph!” (V.M.)
Support of St Joseph
Was für ein Beistand des hl. Josef! Regelmässig kommt der Kontrolleur, die Sauberkeit des Stalles, der Milchgeschirre usw. zu inspizieren. Auf einem Regal hatte ich homöopathische Mittel, auch eine Spritze. Der Herr wollte den Grund wissen. Ich sagte ihm, dass sie Weihwasser beinhalte. Da sagte er: „Gelobt sei JESUS CHRISTUS!”, und machte das Kreuzzeichen. Nach dem praktischen Teil ging er die Buchhaltung durch, die Aufzeichnungen der Milch usw. Der Herr fand alles bestens und ich verabschiedete mich mit herzlichem Dank. Wenn bei mir etwas ein gutes Ende nimmt, dann steht immer der hl. Josef dahinter. Ich habe ihm so unendlich viel zu verdanken. (R. M.)
Final Thesis Could Be “Saved”
The computer did not work, there was a network problem. This happened about half a year ago. My husband M. was plodding at his diploma thesis. I implored St Joseph for help that the appliance might function again. Shortly afterwards everything turned out well. “Thank You, Saint Joseph!” (A. R.)
Successful House Sale
When Fatma, a Muslim woman, held the Joseph’s medal in her hands, she wept for joy. She wanted to sell her purchased house because the renovation costs gradually grew too high. With this money she and her husband wanted to buy a new tenement in Markdorf. A buyer was found astonishingly quickly. Since she was very critical, she always had the Joseph’s medal with her when going to the banking transactions and negotiations with the notary. The buyer suggested that they could live on the top floor of the house as tenants and did not need to move out. This proposal was accepted thankfully by both of them. Unfortunately, they do not find the medal any more. She mislaid it somewhere while clearing out the cellar. (M. Z.)
Help with the Liquidation of a House
Because there were many persons involved from several families I gave thought to clearing one flat and dividing the objects. I prayed to St. Joseph and on the last day of the novena I received a phone call that everything had gone well without any problems. Again, thanks be to St. Joseph! Always and again, I receive help from St. Joseph in all possible things! (R. B.)
Siblings Were Reconciled
With joy I want to make known that the novena to St. Joseph has helped. Both of my sisters have not spoken with each another for quite some years. The reasons were manifold and understandable. From many sides attempts were made to mediate between them, but unsuccessfully. A novena to St. Joseph was our last chance. And indeed, on the last day of the novena, I learnt that both speak with each other again. “Thank You, Saint Joseph!” (R. B.)
Financial Support
Help of St. Joseph! I was so deeply concerned about our financial situation. In my predicament I started a novena to St. Joseph on Wednesday (St. Joseph’s day). I told him that I needed at least 500 euros. I said to myself, perhaps I have asked a bit too much now since St. Joseph surely knows how much is necessary. Nevertheless, I left it at that. Yesterday evening I emptied the offertory box and counted 100 euros, but there was also an envelope in it. I counted and it contained 250 euros. I was invited and on parting the woman handed me another 200 euros. I can only be amazed and grateful. Within 4 days, the novena was not yet finished at all, St. Joseph gave instead of 500 euros straight an additional 50 euros. It is just quite obvious – here St. Joseph was at work again! It also seems to me as if he in his fatherly love yet wants to say: “Here you have 50 euros on top of it.” I am very much relieved and glad! “Thank You, St. Joseph!” (Sr. G. S.)
Purchase of a Cost-Effective Car
Great help of St. Joseph! I did not get my car through its MOT any more, and I absolutely needed another car, at least for the transitional period. So I prayed a novena to St. Joseph. A few days after the novena I received a different car at the price of 2,500 Swiss Francs instead of 5,000. It was St. Josef who so quickly helped me to receive it. Thanks be to him! (S. W.)
Spring Water Made Accessible
Thank You, St. Joseph! In the last week of September 2015 we were tapping a new spring for our farm. With the help of St. Joseph we found the water we needed. When we started work, we really did not know what we were in for: nine days of hard work and the weather was perfect. “Thank You, St. Joseph, for having water again!” (M. R.)
Spreading of St Joseph
St. Joseph arranges so many things. Whenever I am on my way somewhere, I go with St. Joseph and my Guardian Angel. They always and again let me come across people who feel drawn to the beautiful Joseph’s medal. They enquire about it and are interested in it. I inwardly bless these persons with the medal, and we always have really good conversations. I can point to the Lay Community, and often also give them little holy cards with the short prayer to take with them. To me, this always is a great joy, and I am so grateful to St. Joseph. (R. A.)
A Job Found
Again, St. Joseph helped. Some time ago a woman approached me. She was greatly worried about her daughter who had been looking for a job for two years. I said to her: “Let us pray to St. Joseph, who is a great helper! I, too, will join your prayer.” After a short while, her daughter got a job, even very close by. We thank St. Joseph! (H. F.)
Suitable House Found
I lent the old St. Joseph’s medal (with the earlier portrait) to a Turkish colleague when she desperately told me that she and her daughter were in search of a two- or three-room flat. Full of joy she accepted this medal and took it along with her on all those many flat inspections, for which she had signed up and viewed the dwellings. However, she always got refusals or she simply did not receive any phone calls any more afterwards. About three weeks later I asked for the medal back, a little disappointed. “Perhaps it only works with Christians and not with Muslims!” I thought sadly. The next day someone called my colleague, and she could have a three-room flat in Mangoldstrasse in Markdorf straightaway. It had been vacated, they said. (M. Z.)
Apprenticeship for My Grandchild
Again and again, I had Holy Masses said for the Poor Souls and I repeatedly prayed to St. Joseph that my grandson would find a position as an apprentice. Two years passed. He was so desperate. He kept writing applications – without success. Then I gave him a little booklet about St. Joseph and told him: “This time you must pray to St. Joseph yourself for a job.” He prayed it for about six weeks. He came to me and said: “Grandma, I prayed it twice and the other day I received a phone call from a company which is going to hire me!” I told him: “St. Joseph helped you because you have been making efforts yourself.” Now it is two years since. My grandson enters the third year of his apprenticeship. He works as an employee in a haulage company. He likes it very much and he hopes that they will employ him permanently after his apprenticeship. “Thank you, Saint Joseph!” (V. B.)
Obtained Job at an Agency Company
I had entrusted St. Joseph with our daughter’s job hunting, had asked him to also pray for the owner of the advertising agency, who had promised my daughter indirectly that she could work for him. After some wearisome seesawing back and forth, she received a negative reply. In the meantime, I had also informed Mother Paula that my daughter needs a job.
My daughter had been writing applications for about two to three weeks … We all hoped and prayed (mum, mother-in-law, Mother Paula and I), then my daughter suddenly received a phone call that the owner of the advertising agency would employ her permanently, and would give her a proper training in the next three years!!! What a joy! It seemed that Heaven had caused the agency to receive more orders forcing it to personally take over the customers so that there is much work to be done for my daughter. I think he has three to five employees. Thanks to St. Joseph, thanks to GOD and all those who have prayed for it! (A. R.)
St Joseph Novenas Achieved the Desired Success
The novena to St. Joseph, written by Mother Paula, has often helped me. It also helped me in the winter of 2012–13, when I asked St. Joseph apart from the prayers in the novena to grant me a double request:
1. My wife and I had been looking for a new house for about five months – preferably a little larger and less expensive than the old one. Moreover, there was mould in our house as a result of water damage. The landlord was reluctant to help us; so we wanted to move house quickly.
2. There were financial difficulties elsewhere, too. My car was ten years old; I wanted to have my car serviced again. And I was looking for someone who could do this at the most reasonable price available.
I had prayed the novena from 17 till 25 January and finished it on the morning of 25 January 2013, on a Friday. That very Friday – contrary to her habit: in the morning – my wife was browsing some housing ads on the Internet; in the afternoon she showed me an ad, which had only just been published that day. The very same day – contrary to my habit – I phoned the landlord and asked him what I should do to find a flat, because it was not easy at all. The gentleman on the other end of the line answered that the odds would be in my favour if I were amongst the first applicants. He gave me the phone number of the present tenant. I phoned her that same afternoon; she made an appointment for an inspection that same evening at 7.30 pm. It occurred to me that the main post office in this place – unlike in most other places – is open till 8 pm. Because half an hour would be a little tight, my wife had the idea to go and ring at the tenant’s doorbell about a quarter of an hour earlier. The inspection lasted from 7.20 till 7.45 pm; at around 7.50 pm, we were at the post office filling out the application form, we delivered the letter at 7.59 pm, it was postmarked 25 January 2013. After about a week I received a phone call from the new owner who had accepted my application for the flat. On 6 February the contract was signed. We moved in at the end of March. The flat is more spacious than the old one and costs CHF 215 per month less (!).
On 22 January 2013 I received a text message from an acquaintance whom I had met on Sunday: he sent me the address of an inexpensive garage. I brought my car there on Saturday 26 January. And fancy that, in the end, the service cost several hundred francs less than expected.
I certainly do not want to take the credit for this series of such unlikely events. Therefore, a great “May GOD reward you abundantly” to Joseph! (G. P.)
Wallet Found Back
Though I have not called on St. Joseph for health issues, many times the Saint made it known that he cares for me. One example would be when after a long search a valuable document could not be found. In desperation I asked St. Joseph for help because the article I had lost actually was my wallet, containing my driving licence, credit card, the number to call if something happened to my car, and my health insurance card. Almost immediately, the wallet appeared in an open place. “Thank You, Saint Joseph!” (L. T.)
St Joseph Provided Me with an Employment Contract
It happened two years ago. My employment contract ran out. I had written more than 70 applications. However, without any success. It did not look like they would prolong my employment contract and I was in danger of losing my job. So I wrote another short letter to St. Joseph expressing my wishes. A few days later I talked to some good and sensible priests, whom I am very attached to, because I had not yet found another job and because their prayer and blessing count much with St. Joseph.
So it came to pass that I received a phone call on Monday in Holy Week, telling me to come for an interview on Maundy Thursday. I kept the appointment. That very same day they gave me an employment contract and I was allowed to sign it. Thank GOD! And much thanks to St. Joseph! (D. J.)
Recovered from Serious Pneumonia
Meine Mutter ist mit einer sehr schweren und vereiterten Lungenentzündung ins Krankenhaus gekommen. Ihr Zustand war ausserordentlich schlecht und besorgniserregend. Wir waren auf alles gefasst. Ich hatte ein Fläschchen Josefsöl aus Montreal geschenkt bekommen, nahm es mit in das Spital und gab meiner Mutter allemal etwas von diesem Öl. Meine Schwestern taten dies ebenso. Alsbald verbesserte sich der Zustand meiner Mutter. Man kann wahrlich sagen, dass sie fast tot war. Dem hl. Josef haben wir die mächtige Fürbitte zu verdanken – viel Gebet trug er zu seinem göttlichen SOHN. Meine Mutter durfte diesen kranken Zustand wieder verlassen und weiterleben. Trotz allem hätte ich mich für meine Mutter gefreut, wenn sie dem hl. Josef im Himmel hätte begegnen dürfen. „Dankeschön, lieber GOTT – lieber heiliger Josef!“ (D. J.)
Unbelievable Help of St Joseph
My mother was hospitalised with a very severe and septic pneumonia. Her condition was extraordinarily bad and gave cause for alarm. We were prepared for the worst. I was given a little bottle of oil of St. Joseph from Montreal, took it with me to the hospital and gave my mother a little bit of this oil at every visit. My sisters did the same. Soon my mother’s condition improved. One can truly say that she was on the brink of death. We owe this mighty intercession to St. Joseph – he took many prayers to His divine SON. My mother was allowed to recover from this bad condition and live on. In spite of all this, I would have been happy for my mother if she had been granted to meet St. Joseph in Heaven. “Thank You, dear GOD – dear Saint Joseph!” (D. J.)
St Joseph Can Cause Trees to “Fall”
Because our congregation of priests and sisters lives only on free gifts, we had to face a great financial problem. Because our telephone system had become outdated and there were no more suitable spare telephones available, it had to be replaced urgently. For one to two months my fellow sister and I tried very hard to gather various offers from companies. Unfortunately, the prices were all much too steep for our budget and we worried how to raise the money in order to be able to meet the constant current expenses in the future.
We kept praying ardently to St. Joseph, who can make the impossible possible! When we had collected all the offers wishing to present them to our superiors, the unexpected happened. There was an overall power failure affecting about five communities. After approximately 40 minutes we were again connected to the electricity supply, but our old telephone system showed no more sign of life. Good luck or bad luck, who knows? Immediately, we had to fix this problem (we instantly switched our telephone number to a mobile phone) because with a view to pastoral care and the ministry to our faithful we must be contactable at all times. Because the telephone system was too old, spare parts were no longer available making the damage beyond repair. We promptly discussed the matter with our superiors and, very fortunately, we could present the offers, whereupon they agreed on a suitable system. The very next day some people of the company visited us. They had the desired telephone system with almost all the accessories in stock and they installed everything within a few hours. Soon people could reach us again through the conventional telephone network. The next day they finished their job with the telephone system and we were amazed how everything went off so smoothly since these events had happened completely unexpected for our community.
The telephone company certified that the damage of the old telephone system was the result of the power failure. We presented the case to the assurance company. It turned out that some forestry workers had been cutting trees nearby and one tree had struck an electricity pylon. We were informed that the damages would only include the value of the old system and any cost of repairs. We were almost thunderstruck because it was so old that we would have received only a few hundred francs for it. So we turned to St. Joseph again for help. Weeks went by, we could only wait. Then the day came: exactly on Wednesday in Holy Week we were happily informed by the insurance company that they had just transferred the total amount of the new telephone system, including all the accessories and installation! Overjoyed and deeply grateful, we just had to sit down for a moment!!! Because we could hardly believe it, we consciously read the message several times to see if we had read correctly. We quickly ran to our superiors with this good news, and they were lost for words, except: “Thank You, father Joseph!” (D. d. H. M. K.)
A Wonderful “Matchmaker”
After disappointments in relationships with women, who were not interested at all in the path of faith and a relationship with GOD, I reconsidered: “When it comes to finding me a partner, St. Joseph is the best help, if ever there was one.” I then wrote a short letter and at the same time started to pray a novena to St. Joseph. In the letter I not only asked for me but also for a girl who most eagerly wanted to have a good boyfriend. In the meanwhile I said to St. Joseph with only few words that there would surely be no one willing to make such long Sunday trips to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Nevertheless, I did not lose hope – and in the end my eyes were opened.
About two or three months passed, when I met my present wife. We had known each other for eight years. We had not heard from each other for a long time and then we undertook things together occasionally until, in the Advent season, we sensed in our hearts that we feel more for each other. Eight months passed before we married. In these eight months we experienced St. Joseph’s help again and again, be it in choosing our wedding rings, with the preparations for our wedding and so on. At these moments we were not aware of his actual help. It was only in looking back that we realised and marvelled how everything went as planned, free from worry and harmoniously, without any loose ends. Please excuse me for saying so, but it is the “typical” way the silent St. Joseph handles things. “Thank You, St. Joseph!”
A good boyfriend for this girl was also found and they are now married. (D. J.)
Virtuous Man
On 19 September 2010 I entered the Lay Community of St. Joseph, although I was not sure whether I would be received. I only thought: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained!” I was very glad when Mother Paula, or rather St. Joseph received and accepted me.
I did and do diligently read the monthly letters of the Lay Community and time and again I am much surprised to see what a really inexhaustible greatness of virtue this man has. (D. J.)
Urgent House-Hunt
I was notified that I would have to leave my apartment within a very short time. The landlord pleaded for personal use. The entire house was to be refurbished, which really is absolutely necessary.
Now I was at a loss as to what to do, but not so st Joseph! As quickly as possible I had to find new accommodation, which is extraordinarily difficult in our housing market. Notice was given in September, and the final date was set for June next year at the latest. It was instantly clear to my mother and me, we would ask st Joseph for suitable housing. Together we prayed the novena to st Joseph. I also said to st Joseph that both he and the dear LORD ought to feel at home in the new apartment.
Within 4 months I was allowed to find new accommodation. On top of that such a wonderful one I would never have dreamt of getting for myself. What was also very special was that there were 150 prospective buyers for this place and I was the one to have it. Everlasting thanks to st Joseph! (M. J.)
Acquisition of a New Car
May I tell a wonderful event: On Tuesday, before st Joseph’s day, I wanted to go to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. On the way there I noticed that there is something wrong with the car. I pulled up at a car park and could not drive on any more. I had to call the breakdown service and it turned out that the timing belt was broken. A write-off.
On st Jospeh’s day, a festival day for us, we drove around a bit on the lookout for a new car. I prayed to st Joseph to show me one – and he did – right in the first garage. At first I did not really take notice of it and we drove on. But nowhere did we find anything suitable. So in the end we went back to the first place and there st Joseph once again showed me the “little” white car.
The other day we enquired about the car and we were told that this car had already been “promised.” At that very same evening the garage owner called and said that the customer had changed his mind and the car was ours to have … wonderful! I was very, very pleased about it.
Thank you, Mother Paula, for the Lay Community of st Joseph! (M. A.)
Typical of St Joseph
My husband and I drove to Reichenfels (Austria) on Friday to see a piece of woodworking art. In the evening we managed to go back to Padua enabling us to “spend” the Saturday morning with st Anthony. The rear part of the basilica also contains a place of prayer for st Joseph. This room, however, was not accessible, the wrought iron gate was closed. There I stood before this iron gate – there was nobody else around at that moment, probably because the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was being celebrated – and while saying the little prayer of the Lay Community, an elderly priest came with a watering can. He said good morning and his immediate attention was drawn to the Joseph’s medal. Unfortunately, I do not understand the Italian language so well, but he took a close look at the Joseph’s medal and then he opened the iron gate and hinted to me that I could enter, he was about to water the plants. Afterwards he also kneeled down and “in a loud voice” said the “LORD’s Prayer”. Another man with a child joined us – a very impressive moment. In my pocket I had your picture of st Joseph. I gave it to the priest and he was really pleased.
Sometimes it seems to me as though st Joseph would say: “Come!” – He is always present, in an apparently “inconspicuous” way. (M. A.)
The Right Place
An Easter Miracle
My grandmother was seriously ill, she was dying. Then for a couple days I laid the Joseph’s medal under her bed pillow for her and started to bless it with holy water. From day to day she began recovering, she gained more strength, ate and drank again. Yet once more she was mobilised and, indeed, driven in a wheelchair, an encore, so to speak, from the dear LORD – a resurrection and all that at the age of 95! Spiritually she is still lively, too. Isn’t that unbelievable? Hallelujah! (K. W.)
St Joseph Helped!
A woman has a sister in Nicaragua whose son is severely disabled – he is unable to talk, to eat of his own, to hold up his head. This woman asked me: “Would you help me to pay for a wheel-chair even if you can only give me 10 Francs?” My answer was: “I help the Church and st Joseph will help me.” I phoned several social services. It worked. A kind woman promised me to talk to her boss. She called me back after three days telling me that she had two wheel-chairs to choose from. We went to meet her and we could take with us a very suitable wheel-chair with a headrest. People were curious to know how I had managed to find this source. My answer: “St Joseph helped.” (R. E.)
Helper of the Dying
Working with people in need of care I often see little miracles happening when I call on st Joseph to help me in difficult situations. Sometimes I must perform complicated mechanical jobs and techniques, which done alone are very difficult and require much physical strength – and suddenly they are quite easy to do. I see little miracles happening especially when I involve in this those people with whom I have to overcome these obstacles and when they, too, believe in st Joseph’s help either consciously or unconsciously. It is successful and that gives confidence. I notice that some people, even though they are slipping backwards mentally, instantly join my invocation to st Joseph to help us and so we constantly master ‘wonderful’ moments together.
St Joseph also always helps me to support terminal patients. I can commend every soul to him and be confident of his intercession. And so a priest was called to a dying person at the last minute, despite all former rejections to receive the Last Sacrament. And I know that st Joseph and many prayers helped to accomplish it. (R. M.)
Joseph’s Medal Miraculously Found Back
Shortly before Christmas 2011 I was trying on blouses in a fashion store. When changing blouses I mistakenly took off my st Joseph Medal, put it on the seat and on leaving the changing room forgot about it. Immediately afterwards another woman entered the same room. At that very moment I noticed my neglect, knocked and said that I had forgotten something, to which the woman replied that there was nothing there. How miserable have I felt – how carelessly and thoughtlessly have I left my medal of st Joseph. I asked st Joseph over and over again to help me get my medal back.
It took five months for me to get my medal back. Allow me to tell you how that happened: For years I have played cards with a few elderly women in a restaurant. The owner knows that I venerate st Joseph. Some time ago she wanted me, at short notice, to decorate a bottle of holy water for her. Because I had no other bottle I gave her mine with the very image of st Joseph on it. I had just sat down when this woman came and put the St Joseph Medal in front of me on the table saying: “Let me also give you a present for a change.” I wept for joy. The woman told me that her husband and daughter had gone to Bern by train. He had to go to hospital for further information concerning a cancer diagnosis. On their way home they inadvertently sat down on seats that had already been reserved. Therefore, they had to change their seats later on – and there, on this seat was the medal of st Joseph.
At first I thought that this medal could have been purchased somewhere or that someone else had lost it. Only when I was told that this medal is not available anywhere else and upon confirmation by mother Paula that it must inevitably be my medal, did I realise what an incredibly great favour had been granted to me.
How wonderful are the works of st Joseph! – With what words can we describe them? (M. A.)
Teacher in Difficult Situations
Where human relations are concerned, especially during conversations, e.g. when a very hot-tempered person talked to me on the phone, St Joseph helped me to keep calm and to find the right words and the right approach. The one I was talking to on the phone suddenly calmed down and was reasonable and so peace was restored.
Thanks to st Joseph! May he teach me to deal wisely with difficult situations in which the know-it-all attitude wants to take hold of me, and in this way my fear subsides for I feel safe and guided.
And so gradually powerful miracles will happen which I am allowed to recognise and see with the sole view of thanking st Joseph for them and to honour him as foster father of the SON of GOD and spouse of the Mother of GOD. I can come to him – how great is that – and he looks at me with love and understanding. (R. M.)
Fulfilled Days
Thank you for the few lines which pleased me very much. I am happy to belong to the Community of St Joseph to whom I owe a lot and from whom I have received much help. I had a great void inside, now I feel satisfied every day, I feel less lonely, I am more cheerful and I appreciate everyday life more, which is really becoming more and more difficult due to the crisis. I can cope with matters in a more positive way and they frighten me less.
I do not regret my decision to enter the Lay Community, and I will come again as soon as possible because in Rehetobel you receive graces differently and can move on with more strength. (D. I.)
Helping Hand of St Joseph
I have been a member of the Lay Community of St Joseph for one year and right from the start he has been there. I just have to reach out to him and I immediately feel his helping hand. Thus I always feel myself under his care and that is simply a relief and it boosts my courage.
Each day I also entrust my sons to his care, especially the youngest one, Michael. Since he experiences little fatherly guidance, I particularly ask st Joseph to take his hand and be a father to him.
I trust in the chosen father of the divine SON and I hereby wish to express my sincerest thanks to him from the bottom of my heart. I lay my life at his feet and ask him for love, humility, obedience … in which he is without sin. I am secure under his wings and I often turn to him. (R. M.)
Here Only St Joseph Can Help
I feel the need to give an account of st Joseph’s wonderful help. The wife of my nephew, a mother of three children, died. Soon he had a help to look after his children and to do the housekeeping, but it did not stay this way. Eventually, his children did not get on with this woman – they cried a lot and poured their heart out to me. The children also wanted to tell their father about it but he was at work all day long. Finally the day came when this woman had to leave the house.
I do not know how long it took for another woman to join the family, but when she did the misery started all over again. Again the children would not get along with this woman either. I heard of this whole drama much later. I thought: “St Joseph is the only one who can help here.” Straightaway I started my 30-day devotions to him. Not yet quite at the end of those 30 days I was told that this woman, too, had left the family. The children are over the moon and I thank st Joseph! (H. F.)
“I Am with You and Will Help You!”
Every year new male and female students are registered at our school. There is a deadline for registration, as was this year. On the day of registration many parents were standing with their children in front of the school office, impatient and anxious (understandably). They all wanted to come first and no one wanted to wait, and I could hear among the crowd in the hall some not quite pleasant words. After all, it took a lot of time to check the filled out registration forms for the sake of completeness.
“Help! How shall I cope with this situation?” I thought to myself. I wanted to make sure that I treated every single one in a kind and attentive way. And so I asked st Joseph to help me. Therefore I said in a silent prayer and with my whole heart: “Please, saint Joseph, help me! Who else but you.” Now the next student turned up, a handsome boy with deep blue eyes. His parents presented his registration form to me, I compared the dates of registration and when I saw the first name of the boy, I understood immediately. I took it as a sign from st Joseph. The boy’s name was JOSEPH. It felt right away as if st Joseph says: “I am with you and will help you.” Suddenly I felt strong, sure and satisfied.
On this day 70 male and female students were registered within 2½ hours. Exhausted, but very happy I went home, grateful … (J. M.)
Great Helper in Trials
I am happy that you receive me into your Community. I am not perfect but I need someone whom I can go to and who gives me the feeling that I am being supported, be it through prayer, through Sacraments because I lack something which is hard to fill in … St Joseph has proved more than once that he is there and has been a great helper in several trials. And so I will be able to thank him more and often by belonging to the Community. I often call on him for our work and family … I am doing much better, morally and spiritually, since I have become a member of the Lay Community of St Joseph. (J. D.)
Everything Appears More Bearable
I am doing very well in the Lay Community. Together with him, st Joseph, you can manage to do a lot of things. Saying ‘yes’ changed many things. Everything seems more bearable to me and I can also deal with situations much more humorously. Many facts cannot be changed anyway, so somehow you have to bear it one way or another. And that is exactly what st Joseph does: he helps me to bear it.
Though I give my ‘prayer’ to st Joseph, even if I do not pray a lot, he keeps giving me presents again and again. My husband shows much more understanding and listens to me, and so on. Then again I think: how can it be, have I not given everything to st Joseph? But indeed, you will be repaid multiple times. (M. I.)
Growing Devotion to St Joseph
At last, I can write to you to thank you for the two messages and, more importantly, for the material and St Joseph medal which you sent to me. I am developing a devotion to St Joseph which I have never had before.
No words can express my gratitude how important it is to me to be able to advance spiritually through the ‘Lay Community of St Joseph’. (L. T. USA)
The Dentures Suddenly Fitted Perfectly
Shortly before I left for another mission station I received dentures. At first I thought that in the course of time the pain and the little wounds would go away. The lower denture just did not fit snugly and I could barely eat properly. So because nothing worked (ointments and the like), I took in my distress st Joseph-oil and prayed to st Andrew. The next day the denture fitted perfectly and the small wounds had disappeared. To this day I have no problems any more. Even at work I often do not know how I will manage to get things done in time, and yet I succeed. I experience the help of st Joseph in many little things. (R. B.)
Sample Vanished into Thin Air
I packed medicines at the shop when suddenly the sample had vanished without a trace. Several people searched for it for some time but in vain. I left my workplace to go to a meeting. On my way I implored the help of st Joseph and I gave one ‘Hail saint Joseph’ to st Anthony. When I returned to my workplace after the meeting my deputy told me that the sample had been found. If the sample had mingled with the goods ready for sale, it would have caused us serious problems. (H. J. M.)
Gratitude for the Admission
From the United States: It is difficult for me to understand why St. Joseph, so close to JESUS and Mary, has been so often ignored. Thank you for introducing me to the “Lay Community of St. Joseph” through which I expect to strengthen my devotion to st. Joseph. The articles are helpful to retain my thoughts and work in union with the other members of the Lay Community. (L. T.)
Admission into the Lay Community
An elderly lady told us that she would like to be received into the Lay Community. She had always been a devotee of st Joseph. When she heard that she was allowed to come, she said: “I could shout for joy!” She put on her best dress for this occasion. Overjoyed she went home. (B. N.)
Congratulations on the Foundation
A very happy day to you and st Joseph and to all those, who wholeheartedly join the “Lay Community of St Joseph” – also to us. We wish to express our joy and gratitude to you and, of course, to st Joseph on the occasion of this foundation! A new gift of grace from Heaven … “Time is on our side!”, about 30 years ago you quite confidently spoke these words and they prove to be true over and over again. (Sister Servants of the Holy Mother Church)