Our last weekend in St. Louis before moving eastward again brings us to the Shrine of St. Joseph. This is another wow Church. The altar is incredible, the side altars and devotions are beautiful. But, even more than that is the history of the Shrine.
Also, I met Sister Clare at Mass. she sat a few pews ahead and caught my eye right off. See, she is a Missionary of Charity, so the blue and white habit stood out. After Mass I went up and spoke with her, the Holy Spirit moved me to prayer for her with my Crucifix. She has been a sister for 46 years and serves in South Bronx. She was in St. Louis for a meeting of sisters from many orders around the world. A blessed encounter.
The Society of Jesus, “The Jesuits” founded the parish to serve the area’s residential community consisting mostly of German immigrants. In addition, the Shrine is one of the few churches in the Midwest to be the site of a Vatican-authenticated miracle.
The magnificent Main Altar is the result of a pledge made by grateful parishioners who made a promise to St. Joseph. The altar became known as The Altar of Answered Prayers because of St. Joseph’s intercession in the midst of a cholera epidemic in 1866. Because of St. Joseph’s intercession, the parishioners, who made the promise, and their families were spared.
Mary’s altar on the left of the church. At the top of the Marian Altar – On the left: Angel with Cross signifies faith. On the right: Angel with Crown signifies Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Ecce mater Rua: Behold Your Mother
On the right of the church – The Jesuits Altar. The three main statues are St. John Berchmans (canonized 1888), St. Aloysius Gonzaga (canonized 1726), St. Stanislaus Kostka (canonized 1726), and on the right below the altar is St. Alphonsus Rodriguez (canonized 1888). Quan Pulchra est Casta Generation: How beautiful is the house of this generation.
St. Padre Pio, a huge favorite of Connie and I. His feast day was the Tuesday after our visit (9/23). They had a first class relic for veneration. St. Padre Pio is a mega powerful intercessor.
St Peter Claver, one of his two miracles occurred in this Shrine. This miracle was chosen as one of the required two for the canonization process of Peter Claver. He was canonized the following year and his feast is now celebrated in the universal church on September 9th, 1888. Read about the only miracle in the Midwest that was authenticated by the Vatican by clicking the link below.
A sad, yet beautiful moment. The death of St. Joseph. Imagine his joy having Jesus and the Blessed Mother at his side when he closed his eyes. Only to open them again with the Father for Whom he was foster to the Son…and have confirmed all you knew. We should pray to St. Joseph, the Patron of a happy death that we may experience his joy as well.
The Shrine is consecrated in the blood of the martyrs.
