THE MESSENGER DOVE OF SAINT JOSEPH

There are events that seem like something out of a novel; let our readers enjoy this one as they please.

The family of Mr. B.—his wife and a daughter, Josephine, twenty years old—had once enjoyed considerable wealth in N. But her father's illness and a few unfortunate business ventures had forced them to live solely on the daughter's earnings.

The young woman was intelligent, energetic, cheerful, and, above all, devout. One day, however, she returned home with sad news: her sewing work had not been paid for, and she had been informed that there would be no work for several weeks.

What were they to do? What would they eat? Yet she did not lose heart. She placed her trust not in men, but in the fatherly help of her powerful patron, Saint Joseph, whose feast day would be celebrated the following day.

She sat down and wrote a little note describing her distressing situation. Then, opening a cage in which she kept a gentle little dove, she tied the message beneath its wing. After kissing the bird, she released it, saying:

“Go, my dear, wherever Saint Joseph may guide you, so that you may find bread for us and for yourself.”

Not even half an hour had passed when a young man appeared at the entrance of the house, asking to speak with Josephine. A servant accompanied him, carrying a heavy parcel. To the astonishment of the family, the young man explained that, being devoted to Saint Joseph, he had promised to grant the first request for help that came his way. Now, scarcely had he made his promise when a little dove flew in through his window. Beneath its wing, he found a small note containing a plea to Saint Joseph.

“I am setting up a sewing workshop,” he said, “and since Josephine is looking for work, I have brought her some. And because this is her first assignment, I shall pay her in advance.”

Discreetly tucked inside the parcel was a banknote worth 100 cruzeiros. The three unfortunate souls could not help exclaiming with emotion:

“How good Saint Joseph is! Thank you, blessed Saint!”

It was abundance after the most terrible misery.

But Saint Joseph's generosity did not end there. Since Josephine had to go frequently to the workshop, her refined manners, her skill at work, and the excellent education she had received soon attracted attention.

She became acquainted with her employer's family, who soon found a good position for Josephine's father, thereby improving the family's circumstances. We do not know whether Josephine turned to Saint Joseph, as many young women do, to find a good husband; what is certain is that she found one in the person of her employer and benefactor.

In the living room of her new home, a statue of Saint Joseph occupies a place of honor, and beneath it stands a little golden dove bearing the inscription:

“The Messenger of Saint Joseph.”