Father Eustáquio nurtured a great devotion to Saint Joseph throughout his life. Among his personal belongings, we find much material related to the Patron Saint of the Church, including engravings, prayers, and numerous texts.

And in one of these texts, Father Eustáquio speaks about the importance of Saint Joseph within the Holy Family and how proud he was to be the adoptive father of the Son of God.

Read the full text published in the bulletin of the Sacred Hearts Parish on March 24, 1946:

“We know of no holier names than the names – Jesus, Mary, Joseph. This order of names already indicates the prominent place that Saint Joseph occupies in the kingdom of God. Let us consider Saint Joseph as head of the family. Saint Joseph is the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Holy Fathers declare that God wished to give her a husband to safeguard her honor, to keep the secret of the divine nature of Jesus, until the hour determined by Divine Providence, to always be the consolation and support of Our Lady. A foster father was necessary to form an exemplary family for all Christian families.”.

Foster father! What an honor for Saint Joseph to be called by the sweet name of father by his son Jesus! Our Lady also spoke of this when she said: “Your father and I are looking for you.” The evangelists call him Father, and in truth Saint Joseph fulfilled all the duties of a father towards Jesus. The Lord of the Universe allowed himself to be carried, guided, and clothed by such a humble man: Saint Joseph! Saint Joseph not only had the duties of a father, but also the rights. Christ obeyed the words of Saint Joseph!

When the young men of Emmaus, who had spent little time in the company of Jesus, said that their hearts burned within them, how intensely must the heart of Saint Joseph have burned! He enjoyed the company of Jesus for so many years. Let us cherish Saint Joseph as the Patron of Christendom.

Sacred Scripture says: Joseph was a just man. What does it mean to be just? First of all: to give to each his due. The Roman Emperor calls him to Bethlehem, he goes… the voice of God calls him to Egypt, he goes… The just man avoids evil, he does good. Wouldn't Saint Joseph, in the company of Jesus and Mary, have done this?

Let us contemplate his holy death. The death of the saints is precious in the eyes of the Lord. Blessed are those who die in the Lord. Saint Joseph died in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Therefore, we invoke Saint Joseph as the Patron of the dying.

Let us consider the great glory and power of Saint Joseph in heaven. Holiness is all the greater the closer one is to Jesus, the more service we render to Jesus and Mary. As the foster father of Jesus, as the husband of Mary, he worked only for their holy persons and, therefore, was placed so high in heaven and possesses such great power and such effective intercession. Saint Teresa and Saint Bernardino testify that they never went to Saint Joseph without being heard. “Go to Joseph” is his constant advice. Let us choose Saint Joseph as our Patron, as the one who enlightens, intercedes for us, and helps us.”