‘Admirable Life Of Patriarch Saint Joseph’ by Venerable Mary of Agreda; Chapter VI; ‘MODE OF LIFE OF …
[Venerable Mary of Agreda – XVII Century AD; born/died: Agreda, Spain; Mystic; Writer; ‘Blue Nun’]
They mingled these conversations, or readings from the Scriptures, sometimes with manual labor, when the saint was obliged to continue at his work. Our most amiable Lady added to them the consolations of the celestial doctrines ; and thus the happy husband made greater advancement in virtue than with the work of his hands. She showed to Him the great fruit that may be drawn from labor. Believing herself unworthy to be maintained by her spouse, she was humbled, in thinking how much she was indebted to him. She felt herself as much obliged as if she had been the most useless of creatures, and, being unable to assist our saint, she served him whenever it was possible. About this time St. Joseph saw, one day, a great number of birds come to recreate the queen of creatures. ‘They fluttered around her, as if to form a choir, and sang with a delicious melody. St. Joseph had not before witnessed …More
"It often happened that they found themselves in want of necessaries, for they were very liberal to the poor, nor were they careful, like worldly people, to provide for their wants in advance. Now the Lord so ordered it, that the faith and patience of His holy Mother and St. Joseph should not be idle."
"The All-Powerful forgot not His poor, and, while giving them occasion to augment their merits and to exercise their virtues, He gave them also food in season, Sometimes He inspired their neighbors or acquaintances to assist them by a gift. Oftener St. Elizabeth sent them succors from her own house; for, since the visit of the Queen of Heaven, she had resolved w help them, and our sweet. Lady sent in return some work of her own hands. Our Holy Mistress sometimes exercised the power with which she was endowed over creatures, and the birds brought fruits or bread. Her happy spouse was frequently a witness of these events."