(FIRST CENTURY)

SAINT JOSEPH
THE CARPENTER

Saint Joseph the Carpenter of Nazareth was descended from David. It was God’s plan for him to be the foster father of our Lord Jesus. Holy Virgin Mary, mother of God, told us that. When she and Joseph found the Child Jesus in the temple, she said to Him: “Son,…Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” (LK 2:47 NIV). Because it was God’s choice, St. Joseph could not be but a worthy faithful man, and up to the big responsibility bestowed on him by heaven.

As an honorable man, he earned his bread by his trade as a carpenter. He lived a poor humble life of content. After Saint Mary spent most of her childhood in the temple, and the time came for her to leave, she was betrothed to Joseph. As the Scriptures tell us: “. before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” “…When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” (Matt 1:18-25 NIV)

Then the Lord in a dream warned Joseph that Herod was plotting the murder of the Child. The angel said: “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt. And was there until the death of Herod that it might be fulfilled which the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son, spoke (Matt 2:13-19). After the death of Herod, the Holy Family returned to Nazareth. Knowing that Jesus is the Word of God made flesh, he raised Him as was inspired, from the cradle to His mission. He must was enjoying living in the background satisfied with mission accomplished to the highest degree.

We do not know when St. Joseph’s departed to heaven. As we do not hear of him in connection with the crucifixion, especially when the Lord commended His mother Mary to Apostle John at the cross, it may be inferred that he departed in the Lord prior to the crucifixion. ( This is also perfectly to mean that she, the Virgin, had no other sons! except the Word incarnate, Jesus ).

 

A prayer to St. Joseph
O blessed Joseph, faithful guardian of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, protector
of thy chaste spouse, the virgin Mother of God, I choose thee this day to
be my special patron and advocate and I firmly resolve to honor thee all
the days of my life. Therefore I humbly beseech thee to receive me as thy
client, to instruct me in every doubt, to comfort me in every affliction,
to obtain for me and for all the knowledge and love of the Heart of Jesus,
and finally to defend and protect me at the hour of my death. Amen

 

"I know by experience," says St. Teresa of Avila, "that the glorious St. Joseph assists us generally in all necessities. I never asked him for anything which he did not obtain for me."

" I took as my lord and advocate the glorious St. Joseph, commanding myself earnestly to him, and I clearly saw that out of this trouble, as out of other and greater troubles involving my honor and the salvation of my soul, this my lord and  father delivered me, doing me greater benefits than I knew how to ask for. I do not remember to this day ever having asked him for anything that he did not grant me. I am amazed at the great mercies which the Lord has done me through this blessed saint, and from what perils, both of body and soul, he has delivered me...For His Majesty wishes to teach us that, as He was Himself subject to him on earth - for having the title of father, though only his guardian, St. Joseph could command him - so in heaven the Lord does what he asks....Persons who practice prayer, in particular, should always be his devotees. I do not know how anyone can think of the Queen of the Angels, during the time she suffered so much with the infant Jesus, without giving thanks to St. Joseph for the help he then gave them. If anyone cannot find a master to teach him prayer, he should take this glorious saint for master, and he will not go astray on the road."  Saint Teresa of Avila, from her Life, "By herself".

 

June 07 - 1660: Apparition of Saint Joseph in Cotignac, France
          
                 
              Pick it up and You Can Drink

            In Cotignac, on June 7, 1660, the day announced itself hot and a young 22 year-old shepherd from Provence, Gaspard Ricard, led his herd to the nearby slope of Bessillon. At around one o'clock in the afternoon, the heat became very intense. Gaspard was very thirsty and he stretched himself out on the rocky ground when suddenly a man of imposing stature appeared close to him and indicated a rock, saying to him: "Iéu siéu Joùsè; enlevo-lou e béuras." That is, "I am Joseph; pick it up and you can drink." The rock was heavy, eight men could hardly to move it; how could Gaspard pick it up? But the worthy old man, as the accounts of the time state, repeated his order. The shepherd obeyed and moved the rock, discovering cool water that started to flow in a stream. He drank greedily at once. When he finally stood up, the apparition had already disappeared. Without waiting any longer, he ran to the village with the incredible news, and the curious started to arrive. Three hours after the event in a place that had been known to be without a source, abundant water was running.

            The facts were attested by abundant sources and preserved in the local files. "As early as the year 1661, there were 52 processions between Easter and Pentecost, and 6,000 people participated in the octave of this last solemnity. The water of St Joseph works miracles. A cripple from birth, having visited the shrine, went back home without his crutches, walking on his own two feet. Everyone can drink and take this water away."

            The Well of Saint Joseph has never dried up, at the foot of the shrine graces continue as well, so many it would be impossible to make a list. All those who ask with faith, St Joseph answers with his father's heart; he brings back the hearts of children to their parents, protects the unborn, reconciles divided families, returns the taste of living to the desperate, note the Benedictines, who live at the shrine and are often the confidantes of graces obtained; and these graces sometimes even concern very material things: because to live, also means to have a roof and enough to eat...

            
             

 

 

JUNE 1

EGYPT COMMEMORATES THE COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST INTO EGYPT. This excellent history article followed the Holy Family trip to Egypt. See also the lives of Holy Ever Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph in the first century.

THE FLIGHT OF THE HOLY FAMILY TO EGYPT - SAINT JOSEPH

Jesus in Egypt
Egypt, History

Egyptians believe God chose their country as a haven for the infant Jesus Christ when he was fleeing the soldiers of Herod, king of Israel. Jenny Jobbins traces the footsteps of the Holy Family

Why did God tell Joseph the Carpenter to take his family to Egypt? The answer may lie in the fact that, apart from being a land of plenty with no shortage of natural resources, Egypt was traditionally seen to display a high level of cultural integration and religious tolerance. As far back as the New Kingdom (c. 1567-1080 BC), when Egypt commanded a vast empire that included Syria and northern Mesopotamia, Asiatic gods like Baal of Canaan and Astarte and Huron of Syria were worshipped popularly in Luxor alongside the Egyptian gods Amun, Mut and Khonsu. On Elephantine island in Aswan, a Jewish community thrived in the sixth century BC within a stone's throw of the huge temple of Khnum; and in Memphis quarters of the ancient city were marked out for Phoenicians, Syrians and Jews who occupied these quarters and built temples to their gods. Egypt was a multi-cultural society in which all were welcome.

The traditional story of the Holy Family's journey through Egypt is taken from the account of the fifth century Pope Theophilus, who wrote down what the Virgin Mary told him when she appeared to him in a vision. The Holy Family journeyed south from Palestine across the wilderness, avoiding the main road for fear of capture. They entered Egypt at modern-day Rafah, where a lone sycamore tree is said to have survived since their visit.

According to Theophilus, the Holy Family then reached Rhinocolorum, now Al-Arish. From there they followed the old Horus Road along the Mediterranean coast to the fortified town of Filusiat, now called Al-Zaraniq, where the Byzantines later built three churches. From Al-Zaraniq they continued to Al-Kalse, once known as Ras Cassion, and from there to Al- Mohamedieh. Their last station in Sinai was on its northwest coast near the edge of the Delta at the city of Pelusium, then a busy port, now the sprawling ruin of Tell Al-Farama. Here archaeologists have discovered traces of several Roman churches.

The Holy Family then travelled south along the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, which has long since dried up. They stayed in the city of Bubastis, now the ruin of Tell Al-Basta near the modern city of Zagazig (see neighbouring story).

They then went on to Mostorod, known as Al-Mahma, which means bathing place, as here the Virgin is said to have bathed Jesus. There is a church in Mostorod named after the Virgin Mary, built in the 12th century and recently restored. This road, however, was unsafe, and the family turned north again towards the town of Philippos, now Bilbeis. There they were warmly received.

Now they travelled northwest across the Delta. When they reached the branch of the Nile which flowed north to meet the sea at Tamiathis, now Damietta, they embarked on a ferry boat which took them to Sebennytos, near the present-day town of Sammanoud. The Holy Family continued north to Burullus, in the region known as the Valley of Sysbann. On their way they came to a village where the inhabitants did not welcome them. However, they were courteously received in the next village, Al-Matlaah.

The next place, Sakha, which lay in the western Delta, later went by the Coptic name of Pekhalssous, which means the foot of Jesus. Here the Virgin Mary is believed to have held her son on a rock which retained his footprint. A relic in the church dedicated to the Virgin bears such a mark.

The Holy Family moved on, crossing the most westerly branch of the Nile into the Western Desert until they reached Scetis, later called Wadi Al-Natrun. The monastic settlements established later in Wadi Al-Natrun once numbered almost 50. Today only four remain.

They left Wadi Al-Natrun for the place where Cairo now stands, crossing the River Nile to its east bank and journeying to Heliopolis, the Greek name for the ancient Pharaonic city of On. Today this suburb of Cairo is called Ein Shams, which in Arabic means the eye of the sun. From there the family went to Matarieh, where they sheltered under a sycamore tree. The story says that as the Virgin Mary sat there, a spring of water gushed out of the ground. There is still an old and much decayed sycamore at the site called "Mary's Tree."

The next station for the Holy Family was Al-Zeitoun, and then Al-Zweila. Travelling south they reached Babylon, nowadays called Old Cairo. It was said that when they entered the town some ancient statues fell, and the governor then tried to find them and kill the child. Joseph and Mary hid in a cave: this cave is now the crypt of the church of Abu Serga, or Saint Sergius.

In Maadi, south of Old Cairo, is a church which goes by the name of "the Virgin's Church of the Ferry." From here the family took a ferry across to Memphis, once Egypt's ancient capital, and embarked on a boat which would carry them on the prevailing north wind, against the flow of the Nile, to Upper Egypt.

Their first stop was on the west bank near the village now called Ashnein Al-Nassara, at a place called Al-Garnous, where a monastery was later built. A church dedicated to the Virgin was built at Deir Al-Garnous in the 19th century, on the west side of which is a deep well believed to have provided the family with water.

After four days they were on the move again, this time to a place later called Abai Issous, or the "house of Jesus." This is the site of the present-day village of Sandafa, north of Al- Bahnassa. From here they travelled on to Samalout, and from there they crossed to the east bank of the Nile and rested on Gabal Al-Tair, "mountain of birds," at the place where the monastery of the Virgin now stands. The Holy Family took shelter in a cave which is now covered by the ancient church. Coptic legend says that while the family was resting in the shade of the mountain, Jesus stretched out his hand to hold up a large rock which was about to fall on them. His palm print remained on the rock, but this relic is now lost.

Two kilometres south of Gabal Al-Tair is an acacia tree which stoops until its leafy green branches sweep the ground and then turn upwards. This tree, called "the worshipper" by local people, is said to have taken its strange shape from bowing to the Christ child as He passed.

The Holy Family continued their journey south, travelling as far as Bir Al-Sahaba, where they crossed the Nile again to Hermopolis Magna, now Al-Ashmounein. There, a good man sheltered them, for which he got into a good deal of trouble. This was caused by the collapse of a huge copper idol which was thought to be inhabited by evil spirits. When it broke, the spirits escaped. The local priests were infuriated, and the family was obliged to move on.

At Al-Ashmounein is the monastery of the Virgin associated with Wadamun, a young man from the southern town of Armant, who declared the divinity of the Christ Child and was put to death by the priests. Their next stop was Dairout Umm Nakhla, which means the mother of palms, and where the date palms are believed to have bowed to Jesus as He passed.

Now they crossed to the east bank again and reached Abu Haneis, where they paused to quench the thirst of the child at a well since called Sahaba, which means cloud. It was given the name because the mother of God was "moving like a swift cloud in search of water." The Holy Family rested at a hill still known as Kom Maria. Nearby is the Church of the Holy Virgin.

The family then crossed the river again and reached the town of Philes, today Daitout Al-Sharif. They were soon driven out and travelled from there to Al-Qusseya, where again the inhabitants were unfriendly, so they fled to Meir, and here at last they were hospitably received. They travelled east into the desert to Mount Qussqam, and this was perhaps the most important of all their stations.

The family stayed at Mount Qussqam for six months and 10 days. This place was later called Muharraq, which means burnt, as there was an abundance of grass which had to be burned so food could be grown in its place. Mount Qussqam is called the second Bethlehem, and its church is held to be the first built in Egypt. The cave in which the family sheltered became the altar of the Church of the Virgin Mary. This church was never officially consecrated, since the belief was that it had been consecrated by Jesus. Its library contains an account of the Virgin's appearance to the Patriarch Theophilus.

Here, the story goes, a messenger of the Lord appeared to Joseph and said: "Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel; for they are dead which sought the young child's life." The Holy Family then began the long journey home. They went back through Assiut , and then probably sailed down the Nile to Memphis, landing at what is now Al-Badrashein near the ancient capital. Once again they may have passed through Maadi, Babylon and Heliopolis before crossing the desert to Palestine and, finally, reaching their home town of Nazareth. So was Hosea's prophecy fulfilled: "Out of Egypt I have called my son."


Copts believe the journey through Egypt took three years, while Muslims believe it took seven. An excellent version of the story is related in Be Thou There: The Holy Family's Journey in Egypt, edited by Gawdat Gabra and published by The American University in Cairo Press.

Introduction

By

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III


The Holy Family -throughout their stay in Egypt, which lasted for about three-and -a-half years - moved through many towns in Upper and Lower Egypt.

Many churches were built in the locations which have been blessed by the visit of the Lord Christ, the Holy Virgin Mary, and Joseph the carpenter. These churches are considered the oldest and the holiest of all churches.

The advent of the Holy Family to Egypt, seeking refuge, is an event of the utmost significance in our dear country's long history.

Moved by the spirit of prophecy, Hosea foresaw the flight from Bethlehem where there was no safe place for the Christ Child to lay his head, and the eventual return of the holy refugees from their sanctuary in Egypt, where Jesus had found a place in the hearts of the Gentiles, when he uttered God's words:
"Out of Egypt I called My son." ( Hosea 11 : 1 )

In the Biblical Book of Isaiah, the prophet provides us with a divinely inspired prediction of the effect the Holy Infant was to have on Egypt and the Egyptians: "Behold, the Lord rides on a swift cloud, And will come into Egypt; The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence, And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst"
( Isaiah 19 : 1 )

The authority of Old Testament prophecy, which foretold the crumbling of idols wherever Jesus went, further foreshadowed the singular blessing to be bestowed upon Egypt, for its having been chosen as the Holy Family's haven, and upon its people for having been the first to experience the Christ's miraculous influence.

God's message also delivered through the prophetic utterance of Isaiah " Blessed be Egypt, My people " ( Isaiah 19 : 25 ), was an anticipation of the coming of St. Mark to our country, where the Gospel he preached took firm root in the first decades of Christianity. Isaiah goes on to prophecy: "In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lord at its border. And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt".
( Isaiah 19 : 19 - 20 )

According to the traditions of the Coptic Church, the altar mentioned is that of the Church of the Virgin Mary in Al-Muharraq Monastery, a site where the Holy Family settled for a period of more than six months; and the altar-stone was the bed, upon which the Infant Saviour lay. Al-Muharraq Monastery is located, literally, " in the midst of the land of Egypt " … standing at its exact geographical centre. As for the " pillar at its borders … which will be for a sign and for a witness…" surely there can be no more demonstrable, concrete proof of the fulfillment of this prophecy than that the Patriarchal See of the Apostolic Church in Egypt was established by St. Mark himself. It is situated in Alexandria, on Egypt's northern borders.

But the prophecy, knitting a perfect pattern of things to come, does not stop there. It continues, "Then the Lord will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day and will make sacrifice and offering". ( Isaiah 19:21 ). As Christianity in Egypt spread, churches were built throughout the length and breadth of the land, and the sites chosen were, primarily, those which, had been visited and blessed by the Holy Family's sojourns. The New Testament records the fulfillment of these Old Testament prophecies as they unfold in their historical sequence.

" … behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, " Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him " . ( Matthew 2 : 13 )

Joseph complied and a donkey was fetched for the gentle Mother, still so young in years, to ride with her new-born Child in her arms. They set out from Bethlehem on their predestined journey, the hardened old carpenter, who was Mary's betrothed, striding ahead, leading the donkey by its leash into the untracked paths of a wilderness dark as the desert nights, and unending as the mother of never ending horizons.

Such an arduous journey, it was fraught with hazard every step of the way. In those far-off days, there were three routes which could be followed by travellers traversing Sinai from Palestine to Egypt, a crossing which was usually undertaken in groups, for without the protection of well-organized caravans, the ever-present dangers -even along these known and trodden paths- were ominously forbidding.

In their escape from the infanticide fury of King Herod, the Holy Family -understandably- had to avoid the beaten tracks altogether, and to pursue unknown paths, guided by God and His angel. They picked their way, day after day, through hidden valleys and across uncharted plateaus in the then rugged wastelands of Sinai. They endured the scorching heat of the sun by day and the bitter cold of the desert by night. Being preserved from the threat of wild beasts and savage tribesmen, their daily sustenance miraculously provided, the all -too- human fears of the young Mother for her Infant calmed by the faith that infused her with His birth.

They arrived, at last, safely, for God had pre-ordained that Egypt should be the refuge for the One who was to bring the message of peace and love to mankind.

The tortuous trails they followed in their passage across Sinai, and their subsequent travels within Egypt, are chronicled by Pope Theophilus, 23rd Patriarch of Alexandria (384 - 412 AD.). He testifies, in his celebrated annals, that on the eve of the 6th of Hator
(the Coptic month corresponding roughly with November), after long prayer, the Holy Virgin revealed herself to him and, after relating the details of the Holy Family's journey to, and from Egypt, instructed him to record what he had seen and heard.

It is a source which no Christian believer would question.

Besides, it is a virtual certainty that, at a time when happenings of a momentous or historical nature were transmitted by word of mouth from one generation to the next, the account of Pope Theophilus' Vision confirmed the oral tradition of supernatural occurrences which accompanied the arrival of a wondrous Child in the towns and villages of Egypt some four hundred years earlier.
 

 

 




 

 

1st    2nd    3rd    4th    5th    6th    7th    8th    9th    10th    11th    12th    13th    14th    15th    16th    17th    18th    19th    20th

 

Home

Page Written By  H. G. H.  ãCopyright  2001