Time for Saint Joseph
In South America, interestingly enough, a movement is afoot to focus more on the powerful intercession of Saint Joseph, a saint whose time, as a powerful intercessor, apparently has come.
Recently, during appearances in the New York-New Jersey area, an alleged seer from Brazil named Edson Glauber, whose messages and apparitions received a partial approval from his local bishop in the Itacoatiara diocese of the Amazon -- those occurring between 1994 and 1998, including revelations to do with the saint -- has been urging those witnessing his presumed apparitions (ones since 1998 do not have formal approval) to a devotion focused on Saint Joseph called "The Holy Cloak," a thirty-day recitation that he says is especially urgent for our turbulent times.
We cannot vouch for everything about such seers and mystics (please pray and fast before attending apparitions by seers). We offer what they allege for your purview. His latest experiences have been largely taking place in Italy. But we can reaffirm what he states about the effectiveness of the Holy Cloak devotion.
The presence of this saint throughout Latin America is seen in the cathedrals named for him (including twelve in Brazil).
Claimed Glauber, upon whom we have reported for years, in 1996: "After I had finished praying the Rosary, I had a very beautiful vision of Our Lady and St. Joseph with the Child Jesus. The three appeared dressed in robes of clearest and purest gold. Jesus and Our Lady showed their Sacred Hearts and pointed, with their hands, to the heart of St. Joseph, which appeared surrounded by twelve white lilies and, within it, the Cross of Christ which surmounted the letter 'M' (for Mary), formed as though by wounds."
Meanwhile, Saint Joseph is also prominent in countries with fully-approved apparitions such as San Nicolas near Buenos Aires, Argentina (at least two cathedrals named for him in this nation).
But Brazil is the hotspot. At Anguerro is a fellow named Pedro Regis who asserts that Mary comes to him with what have evolved into voluminous messages not yet discerned by a bishop.
Just this year, in March of 2016, he quoted her as saying, "I invite you today to follow the example of St. Joseph. A just man and fearing the Lord. Imitate Him in His silent and confident prayer. I ask you that you have great love for St. Joseph and seek to imitate Him."
Apparitions were also claimed by a seer at Jacarei in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Marcos Tadeu Teixeira, who in 1991 asserted that he had witnessed from Mary, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Saint Joseph, angels, and others.
But these experiences have been disapproved by local ecclesiastic officials, who declared that the messages came from the seers "own thoughts and feelings" and thus were "non-supernatural" in character.
In fact, Brazil has been rife with controversial apparitions, including ones that have been condemned and indicated possibly diabolical-like phenomena. Is the mention of Joseph simply because he figures so prominently into national devotions (is on the Catholic mind, in other words)?
In Bolivia, an alleged seer named Catalina Rivas (now living in Mexico), is said to have witnessed apparitions involving the Virgin and Saint Joseph, as well as other holy figures.
She claimed that in the concluding prayer of Divine Mercy, the Virgin also wanted her to say, "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, save souls and save my soul," and "Lord, into Your Hands I commend my spirit," several times. We suppose it can't hurt.
There are real pluses and minuses here, as well. Some skeptics allege (in the rather harsh words of one) that she is "almost certainly a pious fraud" (though little evidence for that statement is presented). They point to what they claim were failed marriages and questions raised by various officials in the Church. They also accuse her of plagiarism with her messages.
Others point out that she has the backing of her bishop. An imprimatur was given to her messages from Archbishop Monsignor Rene Fernandez of Cochabamba, and there is recognition of supernaturality of bleeding statues associated with her. She is a mother and grandmother who has been active and fruitful in her diocese.
It was at Fatima that Saint Joseph was seen with Mary and Jesus during the final 1917 apparition, and also with her at Knock in Ireland several decades earlier.
In the U.S., dedication to Saint Joseph was allegedly urged by Mary to the Ohio nun, Sister Mildred Mary Neuzil of the "Our Lady of America" apparitions (not formally approved; messages granted an imprimatur).
Said the nun: "I was favored with a unique and marvelous vision of the glorious St. Joseph. He seemed suspended, as it were, a short distance above what had the appearance of a large globe with clouds moving about it. His head was slightly raised, the eyes gazing upward as if in ecstasy. The hands were in a position similar to that of the priest during the celebration of Holy Mass, only they extended upward somewhat more... His appearance, though quite youthful, gave at the same time the impression of rare maturity combined with great strength... The lines of his face appeared strong and purposeful, softened somewhat by a gentle serenity. I also saw his most pure heart at this time.
"Moreover, I saw the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove hovering above his head. Standing sideways, facing each other, were two angels, one on the right, the other on the left. Each carried what appeared to be a small pillow in a satin covering, the pillow on the right bearing a gold crown, the one on the left, a gold scepter. The angels were all white, even their faces and hair. It was a beautiful whiteness that reminded me of the stainlessness of heaven. Then I heard these words: 'Thus should he be honored whom the King desires to honor.'"
[resources: The Holy Cloak Novena and The Final Hour]
[see also: Video: alleged apparition to Brazilian seer]
