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Immaculate Conception of Saint Joseph
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Francisco Suárez, Jean Gerson, and St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori each teach that Saint Joseph was sanctified and regenerated in his mother's womb prior to birth.But few learned theologians like Bernardine de Bustis and Cornelius a Lapide had believed in the Immaculate Conception of saint Joseph. The seraphic Bernardine de Bustis, a most devout doctor, who flourished about the middle of the 15th century, and therefore previous to the Council of Trent, says that "Among the fervent clients of St. Joseph some did not hesitate to affirm that solely for the sake of Jesus, of whom he was to be the putative father, and of Mary, of whom he was to be the most pure spouse, he was not only sanctified in his mother's womb but, moreover, preserved from contracting original sin". Cornelius a Lapide, following the teaching of several Church Fathers and Doctors, also thinks that Saint Joseph was sanctified before his birth. The glory of Jesus and Mary requires that. According to the teaching of Blessed Duns Scotus and his disciples, especially Fr. Charles Balic, the Order of Hypostatic Union is the greatest Masterpiece of God’s creation, greater than the creation of the Angels. God would have created that Order even if Adam and Eve had never sinned. The ever-sad fact is that they had sinned and had lost the sanctifying grace. Joseph and Mary, Adam and Eve’s counterpart and also the members of the Hypostatic Union, came out of the Creator’s hands more perfect than their counterpart had ever been. Joseph and Mary from all eternity was predestined to be the Parents of Jesus Christ. The goal of their existence is was by far superior to the goal of Adam and Eve. Therefore, Mary and Joseph were even at their conception fuller of God’s grace than had been Adam and Eve at the moment of their creation. There are several points which can prove the Immaculate conception of Saint Joseph. * In Glories of Mary Saint Alphonsus Ligouri says about the Immaculate conception of our Lady that, if Our Lady conceived with original sin, then the devil will ridicule Jesus saying that "Your mother once a time was my slave".This is against the dignity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Likewise if saint Joseph was born with original sin, the same logic is applied. The Devil will say " Your father once a time was my slave". The ancient serpent will also turn against the Virgin Mother(whom God send to Crush the serpent-Genesis 3:15-Latin Vulgate)and says "your most holy spouse was once my slave". These are against the dignity and glory of Jesus and Mary. So God the father never allow this. * Saint Joseph is the head of the holy family so, God the father placed Saint Joseph above Jesus and Mary in the holy family.Jesus is god himself and Mary the first born creature of the trinity having full of grace. Saint Joseph didn't have any of these.But by having the head of the holy family, he has full authority and power over the graces and previleges enjoyed by Jesus and Mary. Saint Joseph is omnipotent not by nature but by grace.So by this authority, he conceived without original sin, the previlege enjoyed by Jesus and Mary. * God the Father redeemed the world through the crucifixion of his only son, Jesus Christ.God fullfills his redemption plan mainly through three people. Jesus the Redeemer,Mary the co-redemptrix and Joseph the co-redeemer.To save the world from sin, the redeemer,co-redemptrix and co-redeemer should not have any slightest contact with sin.Then only they can redeem the mankind.Jesus said How can a blind man save another blind man?. This is the other reason proving, the Immaculate conception of Saint Joseph.
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