St. Joseph of Copertino by Rev. Fr. Angelo Pastrovicchi

Author:Rev. Fr. Angelo Pastrovicchi [Pastrovicchi, Rev. Fr. Angelo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: TAN Books
Published: 2015-09-20T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER VII

IN HIS LIFE HE DID GREAT WONDERS (ECCLI. 48, 15)

As has been recounted above, Joseph was not well talented; he had only sufficient knowledge of Latin to use the Breviary and the Missal.1 God, however, bestowed on him a measure of wisdom which amazed even learned theologians. He penetrated deeply into the meaning of Holy Scripture, especially of the Psalms, and would say, "No better spiritual book can be found than the Breviary; to me it is the source of all profit." When asked regarding the more difficult mysteries, for example, the Most Blessed Trinity, the Incarnation, predestination, the efficacy of grace, justification, and similar subjects, he would reply readily with great erudition and would solve the difficulties proposed by very learned men. On such occasions he made use of comparisons from the material world and explained all questions with such lucidity that he soon convinced his hearers. Of the many and learned religious who questioned him, one admitted, "He knows more than I." Another said, "Now I am learning a new and more excellent theology." A third asserted, "My conversations with Father Joseph have been of greater use to me than many years of study." A fourth declared, "Joseph speaks more profoundly on theological subjects than the foremost theologians of the world." All agreed that "the gifts of the Holy Ghost, wisdom, science and intellect were made manifest in Joseph."

To this heavenly light of wisdom was added another, by means of which Joseph knew the thoughts and secrets of others. When anyone stained with sin came to him, he said, "Go wash your face which you have sullied with ink," or, "Adjust your bow," referring to the person's guilty conscience. If such a person replied, he was not conscious of any particular sin, Joseph would add the time, place and circumstances of the sin. On the return of such a person after confession, he kindly said, "Now all is well again with you." He even knew the guilty ones without seeing them. Once he said to one who rapped at his door, "Go first to confession, then come again and enter."

Similar occurrences are recorded of him as a confessor. A woman made her confession and added that she knew of no other sin. But the saint replied, "Confess those evil thoughts to which you consented," naming the occasion and place. The woman thereupon confessed that it had indeed been so. In like manner he said to a novice, whom he had advised to write his general confession, "My son, here you have not expressed yourself well; for it was not as you have written here, but thus and thus." On one occasion he revealed in a discourse to the novices their most hidden faults, so that all were greatly amazed.

If anyone prayed the Divine Office, the Litany or rosary with him, Father Joseph called attention to any distractions the person entertained. To one he said, "Remain here," thus referring to his wandering thoughts. To another he said, "You have prayed the Our Father very distractedly.

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