Mary, who, as the real Mother of the Saviour, had authority over Him : he to whom the tree belongs has also a right to its fruits. This caused Jesus, when on earth, to respect and obey St. Joseph as His superior. This also causes Jesus, now in heaven, to consider the prayers of St. Joseph in the light of commands. For " when a father prays his son," says Gerson, " his prayer has the force of a command."
- St. Joseph, be our help in temptation and our
strength in adversity.
XIX.
O great Saint, since a God has served thee, I too wish to enroll myself in thy service. I wish henceforth to serve thee, to honor and love thee as my master. Take me under thy pro- tection, and dispose of me as thou pleasest. My holy St. Joseph, pray to Jesus for me. Having obeyed all thy commands on earth, He will certainly never refuse anything thou askest of Him. Tell Him to pardon me the offences that I have offered Him. Tell Him to detach me from creatures and from my- self; ask Him to inflame me with His holy love; and then let Him treat me as He pleases.
- St. Joseph, watch over thy children.
XX.
My holy Patriarch, now that thou dost exult in heaven on a lofty throne, near thy beloved Jesus, Who was subject to thee on earth, have pity on me. who am exposed to the attacks of so many enemies, to the bad spirits, and passions, that continually strive to rob me of the grace of God. Ah ! through the grace given to thee on earth of enjoying the continual society of Jesus and Mary, obtain for me the grace of living during the remaining days of my life always united with God, by resist-
