Silent encounters with St Joseph

This is actually a year long overdue post. Maybe it is divine intervention that last year I couldn’t find the right words to tell this story because for me it’s surprising, mindblowing and i feel so undeserving of this experience. Only to find out that as days and months unfold there will be more to tell and more to ponder with awe and wonder. So much to talk about the humble encounters with St Joseph.

After I was born in Makati City, in the Philippines where I spent some of my childhood, my dad decided to take us back to his hometown and that’s where I grew up and spent most of my life. Inside the small town of “Santa Rita” is barrio San Jose named after our Patron Saint St Joseph.

To be honest being away from home, i actually almost forgot about that until recently. I was on a video call with my mom and as she was showing her plant collections, I saw this big St Joseph statue next to the statue of St Rita of Cascia. We have both of them at home being our barrio and town Patron Saints. My family especially my Dad has strong devotion to both of them.

Growing up I only recognized St Joseph as the foster or earthly father of Jesus. Never knew he could also become a father figure to me in such a personal way especially now that my dad is no longer here.

My devotion to St Joseph only started in December 2020 as Pope Francis proclaimed the “Year of St Joseph” which will be celebrated from January 1st to December 8, 2021 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX's declaration of St Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.

And from then on i noticed how St Joseph has been working and interceding in my life in many subtle ways.

It meant alot for me because 2021 has been one of the toughest year of my life. A year full of major life changes. I remember a blog from Magnificat Veils about how roses would randomly appear as St Therese of Lisieux’s way of telling us that she heard our prayer and that she is also praying for us. I think that happens with me too but with St Joseph! Could it be just coincidences? My faith tells me otherwise.

Prior to my move to Washington, i’ve been actively serving as a choir member. As I recently look back on my instagram stories archives, I was surprised to see a photo I posted last year in January. A photo of a statue of St Joseph that I took because I was seated next to it statue during the mass. I was in shock!

What I only remember during those time is that in February, I was so conflicted with choosing between serving at the mass and my review classes because both are happening at the same time.

I ended up choosing service in complete surrender of what is going to happen when I take my International licensure exam. It is an exam I need to pass before I can apply for jobs once I move to US.

In March, a few days before i left Guam, a patient I had 7 months ago messaged me on my facebook page which at that time has been active as I started trying out streaming games. At first I couldn’t recall any memory but I later on remembered a flashback of our short encounter.

He asked me if he could take me to dinner and I was hesitant at first because i’ve been busy packing my stuffs. And to meet someone a few days before i leave? I thought it was not a good idea but I later on agreed to go on a dinner. It was on the day of my dad’s 2nd year death anniversary. I thought might as well have another person with me on one of the saddest day of my year.

We found out we were both leaving Guam. Him to Japan for work and me to Washington. What I was surprised about is finding out his nickname is Joey, which is short for Joseph! What a coincidence to meet someone named Joseph 12 days before i leave?

And yes, we had 12 days. It was an eventful 12 days of my life. Aside from meeting people who were trying to say goodbye, and packing my stuffs, Joey was there when I needed someone to vent out at when things get overwhelming.

Having conversations about both of our cross country move, this man decided to cancel the ticket I originally purchased and bought a new one using his miles in order for me to get a full refund and be able to have more money to save.

Not only that but he offered to help me with my packing. I have been firm that i didn’t want to involve him because i know he also have his own stuffs to pack but he insisted because he didn’t think i’ll be able to finish on time.

Well actually he was right. I definitely underestimated the amount of stuffs i needed to pack.

For two years I’ve also been procrastinating at sending several boxes full of my dad’s belongings back to the Philippines. I’ve been having a hard time dealing with those because i get too emotional just looking at them. He took care of most of them. 😭

I didn’t expect that for such a short amount of time, this person is going to make a huge impact in my life. I wish I met him sooner but maybe God has other plans.

I left Guam in March 17, 2021. That’s 2 days before the feast of St Joseph. We were also able to find and visit a St Joseph Church here during that time! What a big blessing!

Our first few weeks in Washington is trying to find a new home. One of those days when we were curious about who among the saints can we ask for intercession, surprisingly we found out that St Joseph is also the Patron Saint of house hunting.

I flew to LA to pick up the car that i shipped from Guam which took longer than expected. I was also waking up at around 4 am to attend my online review classes that was at Philippine Time.

My mental health definitely took a toll on me. I am overwhelmed with all the life changes and things i need to accomplish.

Thousands of miles and continents apart yet Joey was the person that has been continuously supporting unconditionally.

Few weeks before my exam, even though I didn’t pass any resume, i have been contacted by a recruiter from a St Joseph Hospital here! I was interviewed but i never got another call. I actually got sad because i thought this is another sign.

After i passed my exam, it took several weeks for me to start with a new job. I think this is the most stressful part of my move because i am already so close yet it still felt so far.

I broke down and I started therapy for my depression.

I thought i would never get hired soon because i am not getting any job offers. That time i am actually planning to take any job offer that comes first because my savings are depleting.

I also already tried signing up to Doordash because i was thinking of doing meal delivery while i wait for an offer.

But before i even get started, i got a call from a hospital and said they really wanted to hire me. They said they will give out a job offer but are still processing the paperwork.

It’s been taking awhile for them so i was still looking for job openings. I saw an opening for a Travel Medical Technologist. I’ve been really wanting to try out traveling jobs but I didn’t think i will get hired because I didn’t have any US experience yet. Some travel companies didn’t honor my almost 4 years of experience in Guam.

Few days later, still waiting for the offer. I saw an email from the recruiter of the same travel company I mentioned earlier. It actually got buried under alot of mail. They wanted me to pass my resume and i did! And that same day i got an interview! Before the day ended, i also got a call offering me the job! And i took it rightaway!

And on the next days the job offers came pouring as well. The one that promised me an offer also called but it was too late.

That time even when it was so painful, i was so grateful in God’s delays. If this company gave me an offer rightaway, I know I would take it immediately.

That time i just really wanted to start working and earning. I couldn’t afford to be picky because i’m almost out of money.

But even when it’s painful, it’s very clear that God has His purpose. The few days of delay was very critical. If not for that, I wouldn’t be able to get the job that my heart really wanted.

I also got a higher offer than I expected. I am earning 5-6 times higher than my previous job in Guam. It’s been 5-6 months since I left my previous job in Guam and my current salary has been a great help with slowly trying to pay my debts one by one along with my basic expenses.

Indeed, God’s delays are never God’s denials. God’s redirection can be His protection. When we hold tight on the things we want, we hold ourselves back to the better things God has in store for us.

Also, do you know that St Joseph is also called St Joseph the Worker? He is the Patron Saint for seeking employment! Remember the time I got sad because I didn’t got in a St Joseph Hospital? I later on talked to a coworker and told her about it. Turns out she previously worked there and she reaffirmed that i am in a better place. I was in a bliss and at peace with all the reassurances that God really had my back with St Joseph interceding for me.

Starting my new job as a night shift travel tech, is another major life adjustment. Being awake all night long is a huge health risk let alone driving for an hour on a not so safe road without any sleep.

I knew I had to look for another place to stay. Considering all things, the earliest feasible time to move for me is 3 months. But remember the Patron Saint of house hunting? Yet again, it’s St Joseph!

We can plan all we want, but in the end, God’s plans always prevail. My 3 month plan turned into 3 weeks. I was able to move in to my new place. But don’t get deceived because not everything in the process was a breathe of a fresh air. I also ended up sleeping in my car for 3 days and taking showers in the hospital prior to my move.

I am beyond grateful because with all the ups and downs, I know if It wasn’t for God, all else are meant to fail. In the middle of all the uncertainties, leaning on Him with trust has kept me sane.

I also faced several struggles within my job. Working nightshifts and in the weekends i still want to make sure i’ll be able to attend mass on Sundays. But thank God I found a church closest to the Hospital that I can go straight to after my shift. It is 10-15 minutes away. Do you know which church it is? It’s a St Joseph Catholic Church!!!

I’ve been doing the St Joseph novena from March 10 until today which is March 19, the traditional feast day in solemnity of St Joseph

as the husband of the Virgin Mary and legal father of Jesus Christ.

I also just finishing writing this today while i’m in pain because of some stomachache 😵

Forgive me for this is such a long blog post. But before I end this, I just wanted to add, remember Joey? (short for Joseph!)

After a year, we are still communicating. To be honest, he is the more patient and understanding. I recently only realized how despite our huge physical distance, our conversations are a safe space for me to be completely okay to be vulnerable. He was always been there to listen without judgement. I feel accepted even for the things that i hate about myself the most.

He went home yesterday to his hometown in Cali. A day before the feast day of St Joseph. We are going to meet again soon.

On the Year of St Joseph, I had a one in a million chance of meeting a Joseph, 12 days before I left. I am meeting this same Joseph again after a year of not seeing each other. 🙂

Love and prayers,

Mari