known any soul particularly devoted to this saint that did not always advance in virtue. I ask, for God's sake, that they who do not believe me will at least make a trial of this devotion."
- St. Joseph, Patron of the interior life, do thou
lead me to that perfection which God requireth of me !
XXIV.
Let us imagine that we hear Our Lord, when He sees us afflicted in the midst of our mis- eries, address us all in the words in which Pharao addressed his people at the time of the famine in Egypt: "Go to Joseph" (Gen. 41, 55) if you desire consolation.
- St. Joseph, consoler of afflicted souls, we will go
to thee in all our trials.
XXV.
ST. Teresa said also : " I cannot understand how it is possible to think of the Queen of Angels without returning thanks to St. Joseph for all the services he rendered on earth to the Mother and the Son." Let us, then, have re- course to St. Teresa that she may obtain for us devo- tion to the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph.
- St. Joseph, by thy love for thy favored servant
St. Teresa, make us ever to grow in devotion to thee.
XXVI.
My great protector, St. Joseph, do not disdain to take under thy protection the most ungrate- ful sinner alive. I beg this of thee for the love of thy dearest Jesus, for the love of Mary, thy spouse, and for the love of Teresa, whom thou lovest so much, and who labored so much on earth to add
