Have you ever heard someone say they are being stalked by a saint? This might seem a bit jarring at first but I am here to attest that it is a very real experience.
Some people are naturally drawn to specific saints because of a connection with their heritage, current life circumstances, or maybe they need a good friend like St. Anthony to help find perpetually lost items! But that was not me. I have never had a strong connection with the saints. And then St. Joseph began stalking me! St. Joseph and other “stalking saints” show up unexpectedly over and over again in our lives in any number of overt, creative, or sometimes stealthy ways.
My stalking story begins on March 19, 2005 – the feast of St. Joseph. The priest at Mass that morning was preaching about the qualities of St. Joseph. He was quiet, a good leader, prayerful. I felt like I was hearing a checklist of things I had prayed for in my future husband. At the time, I wanted to be married and have a lot of children. But as I took those words into my heart I heard the Lord say to me, “Maybe you’re not called to marriage.” I was taken by surprise, to say the least, and even more surprised that I found myself beginning to discern a vocation to religious life.
Fast forward to my Vocation Discernment Retreat, during which one of the sisters asked for St. Joseph’s protection over me I also learned that our community prays a perpetual novena to him before dinner each night. During my first year in religious life, St. Joseph started making his presence known a bit more often. Each month I would receive a significant grace from the Lord and it just so happened that it was always on or within a couple of days of the 19th of each month. I knew that he was interceding for me and Joseph was finding a way into my heart. I experienced his special care for me in lots of little ways too, as he continued to show me he was watching out for me.
Our relationship was solidified on my 30-day silent retreat. As I prayed through the life of Christ, Joseph became more than just a friend. On this retreat, I was encouraged to pray with my imagination. Joseph took me into his home with Mary. I was a small girl helping Mary prepare to give birth. I was sitting on Joseph’s lap and he helped me hold baby Jesus for the first time. When we had to leave everything quickly in the middle of the night and flee to Egypt, he scooped me up, blanket and all, and let me continue to sleep on his shoulder until I naturally woke up. I felt so secure, so safe, and so protected in his strong yet tender arms.
Joseph is my foster-father. I am so grateful that he sought after me and has helped me to know a love that I didn’t even know I needed. He has shown me a father’s love that goes beyond my earthly father. St. Joseph’s care helped me to know the love of Papa, my heavenly Father. What I have learned over the years is that they have ALWAYS been watching over me and guiding me with their fatherly care.
Image from: http://www.hogardelamadre.org/en/multimedia/wallpapers
- Sr. Sophia Grace Huschka, T.O.R.
