Comments for St. Joseph and the Staircase at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 28 out of 20 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:05:11 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10671 Thanks for the write-up! I heard about this miraculous stairway being told by a Priest on the Feast day of St. Joseph 19th March. I was moved that I thought I have to get more information on it; and if God permits, I would one day visit the house. "Iter ad Joseph"! I have never really asked St. Joseph for anything and he failed to 'show up'! I am not surprised that he showed up on the last day of the novena. Believe me - he always shows up; and to those who are devoted to him here on earth he protects "stubbornly" from ALL the activities of the Evil One. He, without doubt, shows up at the hours of death of all his faithful children in order to take them to heaven. We should have great confidence in handing over our loved ones who are at their last agonies ( together with souls in purgatory) to St. Joseph - he would surely show up and take them to heaven. We should never be afraid to ask him, 'for this and for that' - he will always show up and many times, with his Wife and His Son - The Holy Family!! Blessed be Saint Joseph, her Most Chaste Spouse!! - David Arinzechi Sat, 31 Mar 2012 04:59:34 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10463 We arrived in Sante Fe, Tuesday afternoon, March 13, 2012. We parked the car. Our first destination - to honor St. Joseph. It was sad to see the Sanctuary of Life lost...but the STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN still stands! And it still invites one to experience the Wonder of Creation! I was wowed to learn that the original carpenter built it without rails of any kind - it was just the stairs. Story said the nuns were too afraid to traverse it, so they hired a local to add the extra protection. Ahh, to trust God completely as we climb higher and higher toward Him takes much faith and courage! I am so grateful my family and I were provided the opportunity by His Grace to BE there, and to carry the memory of the Winding Wood home with us. Thank you for your article...another gift! - Janine Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:38:04 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10456 As appealing as the story is of St. Joseph "miraculously" building the Loretto staircase for the good Sisters, it isn't true. Based on years of extensive research, the truth is the carpenter was Francois-Jean Rochas, a member of 'les compagnon,' a guild of celibate and secretive craftsmen. And he was far from saintly. Reclusive and irascible, he ended up dead in his Dog Creek cabin, either by suicide or assassination. The chapel's contractor, Quintus Monier, named Rochas as the builder of the stairs. An 1881 entry into the sisters' logbook indicates Rochas was paid $150 "for wood." There are receipts for payment to Rochas for work done. Originally the staircase had no railing - it was added later for safety reasons. The story of the "miracle" was created and perpetuated by the good Sisters to answer those astounded by this engineering marvel who found it impossible to believe a mere mortal could have built it. - Ed Micca Tue, 20 Mar 2012 19:26:30 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10449 yes St. Joseph did build it, yes the structure is possible and yes it is such a simple structure greatly enhancing the beauty of it.. - thomas Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:09:58 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10444 My mother went to Our Lady of Loreto school in Santa Fe the 1960s, and they used the staircase regularly. She remembers going up and down for masses to sing in the choir loft. - Tamara Tue, 20 Mar 2012 07:03:56 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10438 Has there ever been some engineers, architects, or expert builders to determine if this sort of structure is even POSSIBLE? I appreciate the devotional aspects of your essay. Now how about exploring the mechanical/structural. - Medly Mon, 19 Mar 2012 22:22:17 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10437 It really fits and any one that doubts should build one and then in failure respond with heartfelt sorrow. - Luciano Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:25:18 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10435 Thank you Jesus for such wonderful miraculous reminders great and small! - Edward Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:42:01 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10430 ODE TO SAINT JOSEPH Joseph, humble, silent vase of splendor and abundant grace protector, defender of our Lord as a strong and flaming sword Joseph, most just, most pure what no man could ever ensure guardian of the holy house stronghold of your Holy Spouse Joseph, treasurer of the Heavenly King for Whom the angels in adoration sing so underestimated in the world's eyes with whom you never did compromise Joseph, without titles behind your name you never sought perishable fame you were an honest simple worker envied and attacked by the evil lurker Joseph, example of husband and father you never thought of yourself, but rather in obedience to God, with love and humility you shouldered the caring responsibility Joseph, assist us in our daily tasks never forsake us nor the one who asks to be non-judgmental and steadfast to obtain those virtues of yours at last. Rita Biesemans March 19, 2011 - Rita Biesemans Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:21:47 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10429 When I visited the chapel, the staircase was roped off and access forbidden. I couldn't help myself. I ducked under the rope and touched the stairs I believe were made by St. Joseph. - Mary Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:13:56 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10427 I have seen this staircase on a trip to Sante Fe. I also noticed the DNA double helix strand similarity in the design used hundreds of years before DNA strands were even discovered. DNA is the building block of life, let alone a staircase. To me that proves divine origin of the staircase. - Denise Richardson Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:38:37 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10424 We have seen this staircase several times. It is beautiful. And a must see in Sante Fe. There is also a Catholic Chapel on the road to Taos that has a miriculous painting that is also worth seeking out. They displayed it with the story some nights of the week. It scared our 10 yr. old son! - Janice Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:11:20 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10419 I have my own theory about The St. Joseph staircase at the Loretto Chapel. I don't think it was St Joseph who came to build it. Do to the similarity of the staircase to the molecule of DNA, I think St. Joseph told his Divine Son: "Your spouses of Loretto in Santa Fe are having a problem getting to the choir loft to sing for you during Mass, you better go and see what you can do for them" - Jacques Fasquelle Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:36:00 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10418 In regard to the St. Joseph staircase at the Loretto Chapel I have my own theory. Do to the similarity of the design of the staircase to the molecule of DNA, I don't think it was Saint Joseph who came to build it. I believe Saint Joseph said to his divine son: "You better go and take care of your spouses of Loretto, they are having a problem getting to the Choir Loft" - Jacques Fasquelle Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:29:43 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10416 Interesting....at the private owner's website it is written that the Our Lady of Lady of Light Chapel was informally deconsecrated as a Catholic Chapel. - donna Mon, 19 Mar 2012 06:58:33 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10415 I have been to see the Miraculous Staircase, and it certainly is a stupendous work of art! Takes one's breathe away it's so beautiful! I believe St. Joseph is responsible for this masterpiece! It surely doesn't look "man-made" but heaven sent! - Arline Mon, 19 Mar 2012 06:22:55 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10414 Southern route!? Hah, the true Southern route is I-10, not I-40. ;) - Tito Edwards Mon, 19 Mar 2012 05:57:42 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10412 Every time I have something real important to request from the Lord, I always course my petition/s thru the kindness of St. Joseph by reciting the 30 consecutive days Novena to St. Joseph and his Holy Cloak. If for some reason, one cannot recite the prayer on a particular day, one may make up for it by reciting it on the 30th day as many times as the recitation was missed. Just like what St. Teresa said: "If you really want to believe in it, prove it to yourself by reciting the Novena - and you will finally be convinced." And Jesus Himself said to St. Margaret: "I wish that everyday you offer special prayers to my mother and St. Joseph, my most sweet guardian." And the Blessed Mother said to the Venerable Dagreda: "You must see to it that you continually increase your love and devotion to this great Saint; you must avail yourself o his protection; for indeed, whatever my devoted spouse requests in Heaven, the Almighty God will grant on Earth." Happy Feast Day, St. Joseph,my patron and my advocate. Thank you very much for your intercessions. - victor Mon, 19 Mar 2012 05:22:42 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10409 Unfortunately, neither the Sisters of St. Loretto nor the Diocese of Santa Fe currently own the property. It was sold to a private company and is now operated as a for-profit museum and wedding hall. I have no reason to doubt that they conduct business in an honest, respectful manner – but I must confess, I am astonished that those in the Church who owned this edifice allowed it to become a tourist attraction. The chapel (yes, and the staircase) were built to worship God, not to profit men. - Strossmayer Mon, 19 Mar 2012 03:59:36 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/st-joseph-and-the-staircase.html#comment-10407 I was told about this staircase in grade school by one of the nuns, but without any details, and so I chalked it up to a cute but hyper-devout fable. Seeing the photo and knowing it is a real place, I have done a complete turn, and would one day like to visit this miracle, for it could be nothing but one! St. Joseph, pray for us! - mts1 Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:33:45 +0100