♔ ST. JOSEPH CURES & CONVERTS: THE ANSWERED PRAYERS OF A BABUSHKA ♔

This scene took place in Russia, in a house where all signs of religion had disappeared. Only the Babushka (grandmother) in the upper room had remained faithful to Christ.
 

One day, she took from her hiding-place the icon of St. Joseph and lit two candles, when Michail, her grandson, surprised her in her prayer. The child asked her a thousand questions and expressed interest in all that she told him.

He could not wait to tell his mother that he had prayed to St. Joseph with Babushka. Matryona, a fierce atheist, reacted like a wounded viper. “Little fool, you repeat what old women say. In Russia, there is no longer a Good God; there are no longer saints nor any St. Joseph.” Then in a more calm tone, “Tell me, Michail, have you already seen the Good God? Have you ever met St. Joseph? Has the Infant Jesus ever given you anything? Dear child, those are stories which uneducated old ladies believe. Woe to you if you put faith in what Grandma says. The soldiers will come and take us all as they took Uncle Ivan. Then you will call on God in vain. He won’t be interested in our fate; is that understood?”

Yelissei, the father, watched the scene with inner disquiet. The sounds of troika bells brought him back to reality. Some friends from Matryona’s home country had invited themselves to stay for several days. They were welcomed with proverbial Russian hospitality. Life in this isolated place would be less monotonous. Thanks to the splendid troika, they organized long trips, and the days passed quickly. Then came the feast of St. Joseph, which used to be celebrated with solemnity to the sound of bells.

In the absence of the family and of their guests, Babushka lit some candles before the icon of St. Joseph and prayed to this great saint in union with many Russian hearts that had remained faithful to the faith of their fathers.

The following day Matryona returned with the child, who was ill. In the evening, all of his limbs were shivering. The fever increased, and the parents were distraught. The visitors left and promised to send a doctor from the nearest village. The mother watched at his bedside day and night. When at last the doctor arrived, he could only shake his head and declare the child to be lost. He offered to stay with them, if they wished, until the final and fatal moment. The father accepted this kind offer and they hoped against all hope.

As for Matryona, who was desperate, she went up to her mother-in-law and begged her to light the candles. “I wish to pray with you, Babushka,” she said. “Michail has only a few hours to live. If he recovers, I will believe and never mock again.” She burst into tears and repeated the prayers recited by the old woman. Then, going down again to her little boy and never taking her eyes off of him, she waited, moving her lips as in prayer.

The sick child was delirious and could have died at any moment; but this was not to be. After midnight, Michail became more calm and, little by little, he went off to sleep. At the same time the fever came down. Reassured, the doctor rose and said, “There is nothing more for me to do here. The Devil must have intervened; I cannot explain it otherwise. Good-bye. Be happy!”

Matryona followed the doctor with a detached, lost look. Yelissei, did not understand the behavior of his wife, who said to him, “My dear Yelissei, I don’t know what to say. Go to Mama and she will explain everything to you.” Sobbing, she threw herself on her knees and murmured, “My God, I believe. … St. Joseph, I thank-you.”

After learning what had happened, Yelessei knelt close to his wife and they prayed together. Then he kissed her and went to seek his mother, whose fidelity to the faith had brought about this miracle and the happiness of the family.

The following morning, Michail opened his eyes and looked at his parents in astonishment, then asked for something to eat. His convalescence filled his parents with joy; but even greater was the joy of having once again found the faith.

O holy and righteous Joseph! While yet on earth, you did have boldness before the Son of God, Who was well pleased to call you His father, in that you were the betrothed of His Mother, and Who was well pleased to be obedient to you.

We believe that as you do dwell now in the heavenly mansions with the choirs of the righteous, you are listened to, in all that you do request from our God and Savior. Therefore, fleeing to your protection and defense, we beg and humbly entreat you:

As you, yourself, were delivered from a storm of doubting thoughts, so also deliver us that are tempest-tossed by the waves of confusion and passions;

As you did shield the all-Pure Virgin from the slanders of men, so shield us from all kinds of vehement calumny;

As you did keep the incarnate Lord from all harm and affliction, so also by your defense preserve His Church and all of us from all affliction and harm.

You know, O Saint of God, that even the Son of God had bodily needs in the days of His incarnation, and you did attend to them. Therefore, we beseech you: tend, yourself, to our temporal needs through your intercession, granting us every good thing, which is needful in this life (for the sake of life of the age to come).
 

Especially, do we entreat you to intercede that we may receive remission of our sins from Him Who was called your Son, the only-begotten Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, and be worthy of inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven so that, abiding with you in the heavenly mansions, we may ever glorify the One God in three Persons: the (+) Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.