9. Pope Saint Paul VI
The Italian saint was elected Pontiff in 1963 and is known for defending life and the family with his encyclical Humanae Vitae. He said: “Rejoice, devoted servants of St. Joseph, for you are near paradise; the ladder leading to it has only three steps, Jesus, Mary and Joseph.”
10. Saint Mary Magdalene of Pazzi
The Italian saint was a mystical Carmelite nun of the 16th century who experienced the stigmata and suffered from many temptations and physical pain, which she patiently offered for the salvation of souls. She said: “He (Saint Joseph) always favors with special protection those souls who are enrolled under the banner of Mary.”
11. San Leonardo de Port Maurice
The saint was a Franciscan priest considered one of the best preachers in Italy, who highly valued the prayer of the Holy Via Crucis. Saint Leonard said: “He (Saint Joseph) is proof that to be a good and genuine follower of Jesus Christ, great things are not needed, it is enough to have the common, simple and human virtues, but they must be true and authentic.”
12. Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
The 18th century French blessed was an apostolic missionary and preacher who, due to his great vocation to the Virgin, founded Marian institutes. He said: “A servant of Mary will have a tender devotion to St. Joseph, and with the pious homage of respect and love from him, he will strive to merit the protection of this great saint.”
“Make him (Saint Joseph) responsible for the protection of your person, he, who saved the life of his Savior. Let him take charge of your salvation.”
13. Beata Boleslava Lament
The Polish nun born in the mid-19th century founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family. The blessed said: “If it is true that the Blessed Virgin is the guardian of all heavenly graces, that her love for the elect is the source of her glory and happiness, what must be the glory of Saint Joseph, whom she had to love above all saints, just as a good wife should love her husband more than all men.”
14. Blessed Gabriele Allegra
The Italian blessed was a Franciscan priest and missionary in China, where he translated the first complete version of the Holy Scriptures into Chinese. The saint said: “May he (Saint Joseph) obtain for us the ability of Saint Dominic, Saint Vincent Ferrer and Blessed Alan de la Roche to promote the Rosary.”