When I was growing up, my mom’s devotion to St. Joseph influenced me to pray to him for a good husband. Little did I know at the time that he was preparing to match me with the best possible husband in Jesus! After reaching a point in my discernment journey while I was in college in which I felt an equal attraction to the vocation of marriage and to the vocation of religious life, I spoke to a friend of mine who was also discerning religious life. She said she had just started a 30-day novena to St. Joseph for the intention of discerning her vocation. I didn’t even know there was such a novena, but since I thought it was a good idea, I successfully sought out a copy of this novena and began praying it the next day.
The first two weeks of praying the novena were spent at home getting ready to leave for Franciscan University’s study abroad program in Gaming, Austria. The last two weeks of praying the novena were spent adjusting to the Austrian adventure. It was the first semester the campus opened—the fall of 1991-- and many things were not set up and in place when we arrived. However, our chaplain, Fr. Sam, was used to improvising in less than ideal situations, and he soon began to offer a time of adoration every evening after dinner. Almost in spite of myself, I was drawn to the chapel for those times of prayer, and it was there that I finished my novena to St. Joseph. I felt sure that St. Joseph would obtain an answer to my prayers, and I waited with expectant faith. On the day I finished the novena, I turned to Jesus with great trust that He would answer my prayer, and after showing me my heart’s deepest desire, Jesus invited me to be His bride. I was filled with great joy and peace, and the grace to say yes!
Since then, St. Joseph has shown his faithfulness to me countless times. It is difficult to express specifically how he has assisted me because it seems that he prefers to work in hidden, silent ways. I believe St. Joseph has been instrumental in helping me to live the vow of chastity and to learn to relate well to men of all ages and walks of life. One year in late February, I found a little book in our library by St. Julian Eymard called The Month of St. Joseph, the month of March. It contains little reflections for each day of the month on the various aspects of St. Joseph’s life. During that month, I felt like I came to know St. Joseph more as a real person, and as someone with whom I could have a real relationship. I feel like he has always just been there, sort of in the background, silently present and lovingly protective.
This spring, when our new assignments for the fall were being decided, I was asked to go to Austria. At the time, it was uncertain that the campus would re-open, but everyone was being hopeful and trying to plan for what we hoped would actually happen. It wasn’t long after I said yes to the assignment that I realized that except for a short visit to Austria in 2014, this would be my first time back for a semester in Gaming since I was there 30 years ago as a student! Then I started putting things together in my mind. Thirty years ago, I prayed a 30-day novena to St. Joseph for my vocation. Now, in the year of St. Joseph, I’m returning there as a sister. Now, I know that this is not all about me, but who could orchestrate things like that so perfectly besides God and St. Joseph? Once I realized that, I was sure that the campus would indeed open and we would be able to welcome students there this August as usual.
It is impossible for me to put into words the gratitude and love I have in my heart for so faithful and so humble a spiritual father. I trust that he will continue to watch over all of us and protect us from that which is most harmful to us. St. Joseph, most faithful, pray for us.
-Sr. Mary Catherine Kasuboski, T.O.R.
