Feast of San Giuseppe Oriol

San Giuseppe Oriol, ora pro nobis

March 23rd is the Feast of St. Joseph Oriol, Priest, Mystic, Ascetic, and Wonderworker. Born on November 23, 1650 to a poor family from Barcelona, Spain, his education was entrusted to a local parish priest. Thanks to some benefactors, he attended university and obtained a doctorate in theology at the age of twenty-three. He was ordained a priest in 1676.

One day while sitting for a sumptuous dinner, an invisible force stayed his hand and kept him from partaking in the meal. Seeing this as a divine warning to fast and abstain from creature comforts, St. Joseph Oriol engaged in a lifetime of rigid asceticism and mortifications.

Seized suddenly with an ardent desire to one day be able to die a martyr, he left for Rome to offer himself as a missionary to evangelize the infidels. However, while on the pilgrimage, he fell ill, and only a vision of the Blessed Mother convinced him to return to Barcelona and strengthen the Faith back home.

Dedicating himself to helping the poor and sick, he led a very active apostolate, ministering successfully to soldiers and children. Renowned for his many miracles, St. Joseph Oriol cured the sick, blind, deaf, and lame.

Realizing his death was near, he received extreme unction and Viaticum. During his last three days, he subsisted solely on the Eucharist. Announcing the end had arrived, on March 23, 1702 he requested the Stabat Mater to be recited and exhaled his last breath.

In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. Joseph Oriol. The accompanying photo comes courtesy of Father Eugene Carrella. The holy card is part of Father Carrella’s impressive collection of religious artifacts. Evviva San Giuseppe Oriol!

Prayer to St. Joseph Oriol

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the examples of St. Joseph Oriol may effectually move us to reform our lives; that while we celebrate his feast, we may also imitate his actions. Look upon our weakness, almighty God, and since the burden of our own deeds weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of St. Joseph Oriol protect us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.