Sophia Institute Press published a book, Hypotheses about Mary by Vittorio Messori. There is a small section in the book on Joseph! But if the book is about Mary, why is Joseph mentioned? Because he’s her husband! Duh!
I’ve been a Catholic for decades and I’ve heard plenty about Marian apparitions, but I’ve never heard about Joseph appearing to people. Until now.
Messori wrote, “throughout the history of devotion, several of his apparitions have been recorded and have given rise to shrines and pilgrimages, some of which are still well frequented…the most renowned place where [Joseph] has appeared ‘alone’ is Mount Bessillon in Provence, in the current Diocese of Frejus.
Geography was never my best subject, so I had to look this up. It’s in France!
A second apparition from Saint Joseph was in Knock, Ireland. Here, “Joseph, along with John and of course, Mary, was a protagonist of the apparition on August 21, 1879, which lasted half an hour before 15 witnesses of all ages and which is at the origin of the national shrine of Ireland in Knock.
A third apparition from Saint Joseph, was on the final day of Our Lady of Fatima’s apparitions, where it was the whole Holy Family appearing together.
A fourth apparition, again from the whole Holy Family together was in 1944 in Ghiaie de Bonaire near Bergamo, Italy.
Apparitions from Saint Joseph aren’t as numerous nor as well known as Marian apparitions. I think there are 2 logical reasons for this. 1) Mary is the greater saint, since she’s sinless and our Queen of heaven and earth! 2) Joseph is humble and therefore stays out of the spotlight! What do YOU think?
Saint Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
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