A discreet illustration of the "presence" of St. Joseph at San Sebastian de Garabandal: on the liturgical Feast of "the greatest of all saints," Mari-Loli, in ecstasy, addressed (in the wonderful night of March 18 to 19), the following short word to Fr. Jose Silva, who had just gone up to the village for the first time: "The Blessed Virgin wishes a happy birthday to Padre Jose." This happened when no one had recognized the priest "dressed in lay clothes."
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 125]
St. Joseph Day (March 19) is very popular where I come from (New York City). There's a beautiful custom that the Italian people have. They bring home made bread, called St. Joseph bread, to church and the priest blesses the small round loaves, and these are given to the poor. I miss all that.
The girls had a special gift to be able to tell when a priest or medical doctor came to the village dressed in lay clothes and unknown to anyone. They boldly went up to them to say hello and ask for a blessing. When asked about medical doctors, they said they have the gift of healing and are picked by God for their vocation, just as a priest is called and picked by God to heal souls. Very interesting!
Of course everyone knows that Jose is Spanish for Joseph, that's why the girls wished him a happy birthday. We are supposed to celebrate our patron saint, whom we were named after. Mine is Saint John the Evangelist; which saint is your patron?
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