We might cite many other authorities, but we shall content ourselves with one passage from the pen of an eloquent writer: "For my part I reverence the virtues of St. Joseph, and leave to other pens to give them all the light and splendour which their brilliancy deserves-not with ink-but with the rays of the sun. Nor should anyone wonder at my saying that these virtues should be described with rays of light, when the eloquence of a Nazianzen, overwhelmed by the glory of the prerogatives and virtues of the father of Jesus, exclaims: 'In Joseph as a sun are gathered all the lights of the Saints""(Patrignani).

The pious reader will therefore agree with us when we say, there is no use or need to particularise the different virtues of our Saint, or to dwell longer on them. St. Joseph, as we have already seen, excelled in each and all.

St. Joseph excelled all the Saints, not only in the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity; in the four cardinal or moral virtues of prudence, fortitude, justice, and temperance; in the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost: wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety, and the fear of the Lord; but also in every grace and virtue

that could sanctify, adorn, and beautify a holy soul.

After Jesus and Mary, St. Joseph is the "example of all virtues."

PIOUS REFLECTIONS.

My soul! meditate on the exalted dignity, eminent sanctity, and heroic virtues of the great St. Joseph. St. Joseph, after Mary Immaculate, is the noblest work of the hands of the Almighty. In dignity his sublime mission lifts him up above the Cherubim and Seraphim. His sanctity expands beyond the grasp of the human mind; it is only less than that of the Blessed Mother of God. Like the Prophet Jeremias and the Baptist, he was sanctified in his mother's womb; and with the Apostles, confirmed in grace. In perpetual chastity he was like the lily of Israel, purer than a sunbeam, and whiter than the virgin snow. In faith he was ever ready to believe the most profound mysteries of religion; and his obedience was ever docile and prompt to the calls of God, to every whisper of an Angel. His charity, or burning love of God, was equalled by his profound humility, learned in the school of the "handmaid of the Lord," and of Jesus, "meek and humble of Heart."

RESOLUTIONS.

My God! I rejoice in the perfection of thy works; and I resolve-first, to thank Thee for the exalted dignity, eminent sanctity, heroic virtues, and sublime glories of our great patriarch, St. Joseph.

I love holy purity so dear to Jesus, my Saviour; and hence, O my Lord, I resolve, by God's grace, to avoid every occasion where there may be danger of sullying the white lily of virgin modesty. Thirdly, I resolve, by the aid of divine grace, promptly to obey the calls and secret inspiration of the Almighty. And, lastly, in imitation of the Holy Family-the humble Joseph, Mary "the handmaid," and Jesus "meek and humble of Heart," I resolve to practise some little secret act of humility and self-denial known to God alone.

PRAYERS.

O my God! in honour of the incarnation, I thank, praise, and bless Thee for the dignity, sanctity, heroic virtues, and the glories of Mary and Joseph. I desire that every moment of my life may be an act of in

finite thanks to Thee, O bountiful God, for having given me in Heaven Mary and Joseph, two most holy and dear friends, watching over my salvation. O God! make me pure and chaste; may I never sin against holy modesty. O dearest and most merciful Jesus! take from me, when Thou seest me fit, my life; but never take from me sanctifying grace, the life of my soul. Jesus, through the prayers of Thy beloved Mother Mary, and Thy reputed father Joseph, make and preserve my soul as pure as a sunbeam and as white as the virgin snow. O merciful God, through the bowels of Thy divine mercy, through the merits and name of Jesus, through the intercession of Mary and Joseph, grant me the grace promptly to obey the secret calls and inspiration of heaven, not only to avoid sin, and all occasions of sin, but also to advance in virtue. O loving Jesus! infuse into my sinful heart, from Thy Sacred Heart, one little spark of the ardent charity, lively faith, and profound humility of St. Joseph !

Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph! Jesus will not, cannot refuse to hear your petitions; pray, then, to Jesus that I may be pure and chaste; that I may be good and holy; that I may love and serve God all the days of

my life; that I may die a happy death ; and that I may see and possess Jesus for all eternity in Paradise.

AN ACT OF CONSECRATION TO ST. JOSEPH.

Glorious St. Joseph! worthy amongst all the Saints to be venerated, loved, and invoked. because of the excellence of thy virtues, the eminence of thy glory, and the power of thy intercession; in the presence of the most Adorable Trinity, of Jesus thy adopted Son, and of Mary thy chaste spouse, and my tender Mother, I take thee this day as my advocate, my protector, and father. I firmly resolve never to forget thee, and to love and honour thee all the days of my life, and to do all that I can to spread devotion to thee among the faithful.

Deign to protect me in a special manner, O my beloved father. I am unworthy, it is true; yet, in the name of the love thou bearest for Jesus and Mary, receive me among the number of thy special friends.

In the name of this doule society, which was formed beside thee by Jesus and Mary, during thy whole life, protect me as long as I live, so that I may never be separated from God by sin. In the name of thy happy