ST. JOSEPH'S CHILDHOOD: EDUCATION & PIETY

 

 

From "THE BOOK OF JOSEPH": 

As the child Joseph grew, he matured quickly in intelligence, in awareness of God, and in angelic virtues. As revealed by Venerable Maria de Agreda, Mother Cecelia Baij and Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, this was the result of the work God had done in sanctifying him and blessing him with early use of reason, and the teaching of Scripture by his father Jacob. 

The Lord hastened the use of Joseph’s reason, endowing it with infused science and augmenting his soul with new graces and virtues. The child began to know God as the cause and Author of all things. He eagerly listened and understood profoundly all that was taught him in regard to God and his works. He was of a kind disposition, loving, and affable, sincere, showing holy and angelic inclinations, growing in virtue and perfection (M. Agreda, 1912, p. 164).

Joseph was privileged to talk very early, his first words being “My God!” … When Joseph’s parents saw how intelligent he already was, they began instructing him in reading. He quickly advanced to the reading of the Sacred Scriptures, and especially the Davidic Psalms. This provided Joseph with much joy. Joseph had a great veneration for the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as well as for the prophet David. He often asked his father to tell him the stories of their lives. (C. Baij, 1997, pg. 12, 16). 

By the age of seven, Joseph already had a true appreciation of all the virtues that the patriarchs had practiced (C. Baij, 1997, pg. 17). 

At this premature age, he already practiced the highest kinds of prayer and contemplation. At the time when other boys come to the use of reason, at the age of seven years or more, saint Joseph was already a perfect man in the use of it and in holiness (M. Agreda, 1912, p. 164). 

Joseph, whom I saw in this vision to be about the age of eight, was very gifted and was a very good scholar. He was simple, quiet, devout, and unpretentious. … His inclinations were towards working at some quiet handicraft, and prayer. I often saw him kneeling with his face to the wall, praying with outstretched arms (A. Emmerich, 1953, pg. 76). 

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