The great love and devotion of Henry and Inez Casolani towards St Joseph

Transcription

1 The great love and devotion of Henry and Inez Casolani towards St Joseph The natural consequence of the immense love Henry and Inez Casolani had towards Christ and His Mother was that they were greatly devoted to the third member of the Holy Family - St. Joseph. Henry and Inez Casolani had a special love for St. Joseph. Not only did they admire his simplicity and his depth of faith, but they also esteemed the humility, the courage, the righteousness and all the virtues that God bestowed on this great Saint. Henry and Inez did their best to live these virtues themselves. They accepted the Holy Will of God totally in their life and it is with unbounded confidence that they allowed themselves to be molded by the Eternal Father. Following the shining example of St. Joseph, Henry and Inez Casolani were faithful to one another while being full of concern for others; they lived in this way throughout their life. When people looked at Henry and Inez, they could see a reflection of St. Joseph. No obstacle deterred this holy couple from proceeding with courage in the path Our Lord set out for them. Like St. Joseph their faith never faltered and their only goal in life was that of accomplishing the Divine Commandment of love. The love for St. Joseph was strong in their life and could never be forgotten. When they were seeking a new house they prayed to St Joseph. Their home they named Ave Joseph. To the greatest delight of Inez the Congregation which their daughter joined was dedicated to St. Joseph. Inez prayed daily and fervently to St Joseph whom she referred to as my beloved. She never failed reciting the Unfailing Petition to St Joseph and wanted others to join her in so doing. Whenever Henry and Inez needed help and comfort from saints, Joseph was sure to be at the top of the list. The Holy Family was a shining example for Henry and Inez Casolani. Both Henry and Inez were gifted with perseverance and courage which helped them in their determination of allowing God to mould them day by day into a holy couple! The image of the Family of 1

2 Nazareth, the atmosphere of mutual understanding, as well as love, care, simplicity and service were fully alive in the home of Henry and Inez Casolani. They were an image of the Holy Family. (Inez Gonzi) 1 In return God enriched this saintly household with the plentitude of Celestial favours. Henry and Inez Casolani regarded their daily activities as a valuable way of giving praise to God and of offering service to others. Inez meditated often on the life of St. Joseph. They looked upon St. Joseph and the way he lived with his Holy Family as a marvelous model of Christian family love. 2 Henry and Inez Casolani were outstandingly faithful to their vocation of marriage. It is unanimously acclaimed by all those who knew Henry and Inez that, like the Holy Family, the family of Henry and Inez Casolani was a community of love where understanding, respect and solidarity blossomed amongst its three members. This blossoming diffused its fragrance even beyond their family and thus reached out to all whom they encountered. Inez prayed fervently to St. Joseph. With regards to her mother s devotion towards St. Joseph and her love towards departed souls Sr. Cecilia Mary Casolani, records that the day before she died, Inez Casolani slid the prayer to St. Joseph for Departing Souls in the glass of the kitchen cupboard. She asked her daughter, Sr. Cecilia, to make photocopies of the afore-mentioned prayer and to spread the devotion. Inez Casolani loved St. Joseph so much that when she died Sr. Cecilia simply put that prayer with her mother in the coffin, entrusting her to the Saint she loved so dearly. When Henry Casolani passed away Sr. Cecilia did the same. 3 Inez Casolani publicly used words of praise towards this great universal Patron of the Church. She encouraged people to pray through the intercession of St. Joseph. 4 In a parish publication, Inez Casolani recalled that never had a grace been denied to St. Teresa whenever the latter asked St. Joseph to intercede for her. 5 Likewise Inez Casolani admired her daughter s love for 1 A.C A.C. Inez Casolani, A.C. Flowers of Sanctity, A.C. Leħen il-parroċċa, April 1969, ibid 2

3 St. Joseph and followed her spirituality fervently. Witness to this are the diary annotations of Inez as she meditated on Cecilia s own diary: Cecilia is half way her efficacious Novena to St. Joseph. She is sure he won t fail her. (Inez Casolani) 6 Cecilia finished her Novena to St. Joseph. In this, she has great faith. (Inez Casolani) 7 Cecilia is sure that St. Joseph won t fail her in giving her parents a dwelling place. St. Joseph did not fail her, thank God! This home turned to be our blessed Ave Joseph. (Inez Casolani) 8 Like St. Joseph, Henry and Inez Casolani lived their Christian faith in depth. They co-operated totally with the grace of the Sacrament of Marriage in which, in the presence of God, they promised each other love, fidelity and conjugal integrity till death. In imitation of St. Joseph, a man of justice, they showered all their love on their one and only daughter whom the Lord entrusted to their care. Henry and Inez always acted in a responsible manner. They were faithful to the teachings of Jesus and publicly rejected and condemned divorce, abortion and all abominations that greatly offend Our Lord. 9 Like St. Joseph, Henry and Inez Casolani had a great respect for the gift of life. As she once confessed to her daughter Inez prayed the following prayer several times a day that abortion might be avoided throughout the world: Jesus, my Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Your Mother, who bore You so lovingly and of St. Joseph, strong man of faith, who protected You both, I pray to You for the life of the unborn child, who is in danger of abortion, the one I have spiritually adopted. Please give to the parents of this particular child the grace and courage to bring it to the life You have destined for him/her. Amen. I recite this prayer eleven times a day, trusting in the Lord that, at least, so many abortions will be avoided. (Inez Casolani) 10 6 A.C. Diary annotation, 1964, ibid 8 ibid, A.C. Henry Casolani, The Times, 30 th April 1997, A.C

4 Indeed Henry and Inez Casolani kept St. Joseph as their guide and example in their pursuit of perfection. They took their role as parents very seriously and guarded and protected their only child, Cecilia, with outstanding care and love. The work that was entrusted to them as parents they took on themselves completely Inez dedicated herself totally to her family, caring for her husband and daughter, seeing to their well-being and making their home as warm and as welcoming as possible. Mrs. Casolani was a very caring mother. You could feel the love of the mother in her child She was a woman who cared for her husband! (Sr. Gemma Farrugia SJA) 11 Yet, Inez was also always ready to help her neighbour in her best possible and loving ways. She also offered regular voluntary service to the Parish. 12 Henry provided for his family. He worked to support his wife and daughter. He was a faithful and exemplary husband and father. His family was clearly the top priority in his life. Like St. Joseph, Henry s work was done out of love for his family. The imprints which marked Henry Casolani s life throughout still remained - love for His Creator and his family - honesty and charm. (Albert Borg Costanzi) 13 Henry Casolani never grumbled or complained not even when he worked under pressure, which was so frequent in his section at work. He was a most responsible person and his keen sense of duty was outstanding, yet he always worked with joy not only, but he also made sure that his companions enjoyed it too. I recall Mr. Henry Casolani as being a very popular man with the staff, always ready to crack a joke, which was always very much appreciated in the tense atmosphere brought about by the furious tempo of the work we were involved in. (Joseph V. Laspina) A.C. 36B A.C. Charles Zerafa, 36D A.C. 36A A.C. 36A.46 4

5 He never gossiped. 15 Above all, Henry also had a great esteem for his colleagues. 16 He was charitable towards them and always treated them with respect. 17 In imitation of St. Joseph, Henry and Inez Casolani avoided talking about themselves either in terms of praise or of ego interest. Their honesty was a reflection of their obedience to the Will of God to live an honorable life. The conjugal life of this couple resembled two stars mutually enlightening each other by their gold and silver rays to live a virtuous life in intimacy together and with Christ. Virtues which are synonymous to those of St. Joseph were lived uninterruptedly by Henry and Inez Casolani. The Humility of St. Joseph St. Joseph was a very humble man. Whoever wants to be first must be himself last of all and be the servant of all. (Mk. 9:35). Henry and Inez Casolani were humble persons too. They were prompt to forgive and forget any unkind deed. She used to say to her daughter Be always sweet and humble with everybody. 18 All of Henry Casolani s colleagues acclaimed him as a humble person par excellence, besides being also honest, kind and responsible. In his later years a person often made Henry s day difficult. Heroically, Henry always went up to this person and spoke to him with simplicity and with a heart full of charitable love. 19 Henry and Inez Casolani were courageous where justice and charity were concerned yet they were humble in their ways. They strongly kept up their acts of sincerity and solidarity with one 15 A.C. Michael Vella, S.D.C ; Architect Oscar Caruana Montaldo, 36A.4; Albert Wain, 36A.7; Maryann Azzopardi, 36C A.C. Baldassare Borg, 36A.39; Architect Joseph Mizzi, ex- Director General P.W.D., 36A.12; Architect Vincent Cassar, Director General P.W.D., 36A A.C. Joseph Borg, 36A.42; Kenneth Portanier, 36A.17, Albert A. Fenech 36A.53, 36A ibid., A.C. Sr. Immaculate Sacco SJA, 36B.47 5

6 and all without distinction or any forms of discrimination. They served others and lived with others in love. Who am I to condemn another? (Henry Casolani) 20 The Charity of St. Joseph St. Joseph lived a life of consecrated chastity. In their marriage Henry and Inez Casolani lived this virtue by refraining - as far as we can know - from all acts or thoughts that were not in accordance with the Church s teachings. They were free from whatever is lustful or obscene. They always acted and lived according to the principles of faith and solely upon all that is blessed by God. 21 The Obedience of St. Joseph Obedience is strong in the life of St. Joseph. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. (Jn. 20:25) Henry and Inez Casolani had great faith in God and were totally abandoned to His Will. Because they were so close to God Henry and Inez were always on the alert to find out what Our Lord wanted of them. They had great trust in God. Henry and Inez Casolani were very close to God. (Bibiana Zammit) 22 Henry and Inez were obedient to the Will of God no matter what it cost them. The fact that their one and only daughter, Cecilia, left home in answer to her religious vocation caused them great emotional suffering. Yet Henry and Inez Casolani did not seek their own interest. 23 For them God was always first. Although Cecilia was all they had in the world, the apple of their eye, Henry and Inez were happy to give their only child, their all, to God. They gave Him everything! Henry and Inez Casolani s test came when Cecilia, their only child, chose the life of prayer and sacrifice. As a grandfather myself, I have experienced the joy of holding grandchildren, 20 A.C. Henry Casolani, A.C. Marie Gruppetta, 38.7; Jessie Cutajar, 39,18; Nina Baldacchino, 40.2; Josephine Borg, A.C. 36D A.C. Lina Borg Cardona,

7 which is probably greater than that of holding your own children. Henry and Inez did not complain about this and I respected them for it! (Edwin Gruppetta) 24 The prudence of St. Joseph Joseph s prudence is especially shown in his remarkable practice of silence. Henry and Inez Casolani knew what Christian love demands, what is complementary to love and what distorts the purity of love. They acted prudently and never sought their own interests. This they did even in the minor details of life. Since childhood and till the end of his life, Henry never ever gossiped or pronounced the slightest word against anybody. 25 Henry Casolani never grumbled or uttered a word against anybody. (Fr. Gorg Frendo O.P., now Auxiliary Bishop of Dürres-Tirana, in Albania) 26 Not only did people say that about him but on two occasions he humbly, but clearly, told his daughter that throughout his life, since childhood, he could not recall ever having said the slightest word against anyone! This fact was confirmed by all those who knew Henry Casolani throughout all the stages of his life. Whenever Henry Casolani spoke of others, he did so to praise and never to criticize. Speak no evil against anyone, but praise those who deserve it. (Henry Casolani) 27 Inez was a courageous woman, strong in her Christian convictions, dutiful in her vocation as a wife and mother 28 and eager to help those who were passing through difficult moments in their life. She was a real lady! She was a very holy person. It was always the same thing: Just say a prayer and it will work out. She was extremely close to God. (Victor Gruppetta) A.C. 36D A.C A.C. 36B A.C. The Times, 14 th March 1991, A.C. Mary Said, 38.3; Agnes Vella, 39.25; Dr. Alice Grakowska 40.9 Concetta Cauchi, A.C

8 Henry and Inez Casolani had a well-formed conscience and this helped them discern good from evil. Early in life they made a fundamental option towards all that is good. By the grace of God this decision helped them to live the Christian virtues perfectly and constantly and hence they were blessed by God. 30 The love that Joseph had for God and hence for Jesus and Mary. What admiration St. Joseph deserves for the unconditional way he accepted God s will to care for Jesus and Mary! Like Joseph Henry and Inez Casolani had an immense love for God and this made them see His Providence in everything that came their way in joys and sorrows, in disappointments and failures, in the strange behaviour of people, in the unexpected turn of events! They simply placed their life totally in God s hands in accordance to Mary s own words: Be it done to me according to Your Word. (Luke 1:38). By the grace of the Holy Spirit in them Henry and Inez Casolani gave their deepest attention and care to God s Commandments and lived up to the words of Jesus If you love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15) Like Henry and Inez Casolani, let us be untiring in our efforts to imitate the virtues of St. Joseph. May the blessing and grace of God pour out abundantly upon each one of us and flourish richly through us throughout our life. 30 Marcette Portelli,39.14; Sr. Dorothy Ellul SJA 39.20; Marvin Borg 40.6; Lina Borg Cardona 40.7; Prof. Fr. Maurice Eminyan SJ, 36B.32 8

9 This is the prayer that Inez prayed daily. It was found in the fiftieth year of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Dear St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God. I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, so that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for me. 9