Wednesday, April 3, 2012
“Spy Wednesday”
in Holy Week
Novena to Pope St. Pius X continues
Today’s lectionary readings
A reading from the Book of Isaiah 53: 1-12
Quis credidit auditui nostro? Et brachium Domini cui revelatum est? Et ascendet sicut virgultum coram eo et sicut radix de terra sitienti: non est species ei neque decor et vidimus eum et non erat aspectus et desideravimus eum. Despectum et novissimum virorum virum dolorum et scientem infirmitatem et quasi absconditus vultus eius et despectus unde nec reputavimus eum. Vere languores nostros ipse tulit et dolores nostros ipse portavit et nos putavimus eum quasi leprosum et percussum a Deo et humiliatum. Ipse autem vulneratus est propter iniquitates nostras adtritus est propter scelera nostra disciplina pacis nostrae super eum et livore eius sanati sumus.
Omnes nos quasi oves erravimus unusquisque in viam suam declinavit et Dominus posuit in eo iniquitatem omnium nostrum. Oblatus est quia ipse voluit et non aperuit os suum sicut ovis ad occisionem ducetur et quasi agnus coram tondente obmutescet et non aperiet os suum. De angustia et de iudicio sublatus est generationem eius quis enarrabit quia abscisus est de terra viventium propter scelus populi mei percussit eum. Et dabit impios pro sepultura et divitem pro morte sua eo quod iniquitatem non fecerit neque dolus fuerit in ore eius. Et Dominus voluit conterere eum in infirmitate si posuerit pro peccato animam suam videbit semen longevum et voluntas Domini in manu eius dirigetur.
Pro eo quod laboravit anima eius videbit et saturabitur in scientia sua iustificabit ipse iustus servus meus multos et iniquitates eorum ipse portabit. Ideo dispertiam ei plurimos et fortium dividet spolia pro eo quod tradidit in morte animam suam et cum sceleratis reputatus est et ipse peccatum multorum tulit et pro transgressoribus rogavit
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Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? And he shall grow up as a tender plant before him, and as a root out of a thirsty ground: there is no beauty in him, nor comeliness: and we have seen him, and there was no sightliness, that we should be desirous of him: Despised, and the most abject of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with infirmity: and his look was as it were hidden and despised, whereupon we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows: and we have thought him as it were a leper, and as one struck by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, every one hath turned aside into his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was offered because it was his own will, and he opened not his mouth: he shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter, and shall be dumb as a lamb before his shearer, and he shall not open his mouth. He was taken away from distress, and from judgment: who shall declare his generation? because he is cut off out of the land of the living: for the wickedness of my people have I struck him. And he shall give the ungodly for his burial, and the rich for his death: because he hath done no iniquity, neither was there deceit in his mouth. And the Lord was pleased to bruise him in infirmity: if he shall lay down his life for sin, he shall see a longlived seed, and the will of the Lord shall be prosperous in his hand. Because his soul hath laboured, he shall see and be filled: by his knowledge shall this my just servant justify many, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I distribute to him very many, and he shall divide the spoils of the strong, because he hath delivered his soul unto death, and was reputed with the wicked: and he hath borne the sins of many, and hath prayed for the transgressors.
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A reading from the Gospel of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, according to St. Matthew 22: 39-71; 23: 1-53
And going out, he went, according to his custom, to the Mount of Olives. And his disciples also followed him. And when he was come to the place, he said to them: Pray, lest ye enter into temptation. And he was withdrawn away from them a stone’s cast. And kneeling down, he prayed. Saying: Father, if thou wilt, remove this chalice from me: but yet not my will, but thine be done. And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony, he prayed the longer. And his sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground. And when he rose up from prayer and was come to the disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow. And he said to them: Why sleep you? Arise: pray: lest you enter into temptation. As he was yet speaking, behold a multitude; and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus, for to kiss him. And Jesus said to him: Judas, dost thou betray the Son of man with a kiss? And they that were about him, seeing what would follow, said to him: Lord, shall we strike with the sword? And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answering, said: Suffer ye thus far. And when he had touched his ear, he healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests and magistrates of the temple and the ancients, that were come unto him: Are ye come out, as it were against a thief, with swords and clubs? When I was daily with you in the temple, you did not stretch forth your hands against me: but this is your hour and the power of darkness. And apprehending him, they led him to the high priest’s house. But Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall and were sitting about it, Peter was in the midst of them. Whom when a certain servant maid had seen sitting at the light and had earnestly beheld him, she said: This man also was with him. But he denied him, saying: Woman, I know him not. And after a little while, another seeing him, said: Thou also art one of them. But Peter said: O man, I am not. And after the space, as it were of one hour, another certain man affirmed, saying: Of a truth, this man was also with him: for he is also a Galilean. And Peter said: Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, as he was yet speaking, the cock crew. And the Lord turning looked on Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, as he had said: Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny thrice. And Peter going out, wept bitterly. And the men that held him mocked him and struck him. And they blindfolded him and smote his face. And they asked him saying: Prophesy: Who is it that struck thee? And blaspheming, many other things they said against him. And as soon as it was day, the ancients of the people and the chief priests and scribes came together. And they brought him into their council saying: If thou be the Christ, tell us. And he saith to them: If I shall tell you, you will not believe me. And if I shall also ask you, you will not answer me, nor let me go. But hereafter the Son of man shall be sitting on the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all: Art thou then the Son of God? Who said: You say that I am. And they said: What need we any further testimony? For we ourselves have heard it from his own mouth. And the whole multitude of them, rising up, led him to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying: We have found this man perverting our nation and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar and saying that he is Christ the king. And Pilate asked him, saying: Art thou the king of the Jews? But he answering, said: Thou sayest it. And Pilate said to the chief priests and to the multitudes: I find no cause in this man. But they were more earnest, saying: He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place. But Pilate hearing Galilee, asked if the man were of Galilee? And when he understood that he was of Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him away to Herod, who was also himself at Jerusalem in those days. And Herod seeing Jesus, was very glad: for he was desirous of a long time to see him, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to see some sign wrought by him. And he questioned him in many words. But he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes stood by, earnestly accusing him. And Herod with his army set him at nought and mocked him, putting on him a white garment: and sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate were made friends, that same day: for before they were enemies one to another. And Pilate, calling together the chief priests and the magistrates and the people, Said to them: You have presented unto me this man as one that perverteth the people. And behold I, having examined him before you, find no cause in this man, in those things wherein you accuse him. No, nor Herod neither. For, I sent you to him: and behold, nothing worthy of death is done to him. I will chastise him therefore and release him. Now of necessity he was to release unto them one upon the feast day. But the whole multitude together cried out, saying: Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: Who, for a certain sedition made in the city and for a murder, was cast into prison. And Pilate again spoke to them, desiring to release Jesus. But they cried again, saying: Crucify him, Crucify him. And he said to them the third time: Why, what evil hath this man done? I find no cause of death in him. I will chastise him therefore and let him go. But they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And their voices prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him who for murder and sedition had been cast into prison, whom they had desired. But Jesus he delivered up to their will. And as they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of people and of women, who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them, said: Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me; but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days shall come, wherein they will say: Blessed are the barren and the wombs that have not borne and the paps that have not given suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains: Fall upon us. And to the hills: Cover us. For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry? And there were also two other malefactors led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified him there: and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. And Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. But they, dividing his garments, cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers with them derided him, saying: He saved others: let him save himself, if he be Christ, the elect of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar, And saying: If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And there was also a superscription written over him in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of those robbers who were hanged blasphemed him, saying: If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: Neither dost thou fear God, seeing; thou art under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly: for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this man hath done no evil. And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. And Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee: This day thou shalt be with me in paradise. And it was almost the sixth hour: and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And Jesus crying with a loud voice, said: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. And saying this, he gave up the ghost. Now, the centurion, seeing what was done, glorified God, saying: Indeed this was a just man. And all the multitude of them that were come together to that sight and saw the things that were done returned, striking their breasts. And all his acquaintance and the women that had followed him from Galilee stood afar off, beholding these things. And behold there was a man named Joseph who was a counsellor, a good and a just man, (The same had not consented to their counsel and doings) of Arimathea, a city of Judea: who also himself looked for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus. And taking him down, he wrapped him in fine linen and laid him in a sepulchre that was hewed in stone, wherein never yet any man had been laid.
A Lenten Devotion
En Ego
Plenary, when said before any representation of JESUS crucified. I, II, IV. 127 Pius IX,
July 31, 1858 From the Raccolta, 1910.
Prayer
EN EGO, O bone et dulcissime JESU, ante conspectum tuum genibus me provolvo, ac maximo animi ardore te oro atque obtestor ut meum in cor vividos fidei, spei, et charitatis sensus, atque veram peccatorum meorum poenitentiam, eaque emendandi firmissimam voluntatem velis imprimere: dum mag-no animi affectu, et dolore tua quinque Vulnera mecum ipse considero, ac mente contemplor, illud præoculis habens, quod jam in ore ponebat tuo David propheta de te, O bone JESU: Foderunt manus meas et pedes meos; dinumeraverunt omnia ossa mea.
(Ps. xxi, 17, 18.)
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O GOOD and sweetest JESUS, before thy face I humbly kneel, and with the greatest fervour of spirit I pray and beseech Thee to vouchsafe to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a most firm purpose of amendment; whilst I ontemplate with great sorrow and affection thy five wounds, and ponder them over in my mind, having before my eyes the words which, long ago, David the prophet spoke in thy own person concerning Thee, my JESUS: They have pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones. (Ps. xxi, 17,18.)
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The month of April is devoted to the Blessed Sacrament.
O sacrum convivium, in quo Christus sumitur: recolitur memoria passionis eius; mens impletur gratia et futurae gloriae nobis pignus datur.
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O sacred banquet, in which Christ is received, the memory of His Passion is renewed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory given to us.
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V. Panem de caelo praestitisti eis;
R. Omne delectamentum in se habentem.
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V. Thou didst give them bread from heaven;
R. Containing in itself all sweetness.
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Oremus; Deus, qui nobis sub Sacramento mirabili Passionis tuae memoriam reliquisti; tribue, quaesumus, ita nos Corporis et Sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari, ut redemptionis tuae fructum in nobis iugiter sentiamus: Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
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Let us pray; O God, who under a wonderful Sacrament hast left us a memorial of Thy Passion; grant us, we beseech Thee, so to reverence the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, that we may ever feel within ourselves the fruit of Thy Redemption: Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
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Wednesdays are devoted to Saint Joseph.
The Five Psalms in honor of Saint Joseph
The devotion of the faithful to Jesus and Mary having induced them to honour even their sacred names by reciting certain psalms and hymns, those who have had a devotion to St. Joseph have in like manner desired to honour that glorious patriarch, the adopted father of Jesus, and pure spouse of the ever-Virgin Mary, by saying five psalms, whose initial letters compose the name of Joseph. (F in the Italian standing for PH). To encourage Christian People to practise this devotion to St. Joseph, thereby to obtain his efficacious protection in life, and still more in death, Pope Pius VII., by a Rescript and subsequent decree of June 26, 1809, issued by his Eminence the Cardinal-Vicar and preserved in his Segretaria, granted – i. An indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines, every time these psalms are said devoutly and with a contrite heart, together with the hymn and prayer proper to the saint. ii. A plenary indulgence once a month, to all who shall say them daily for a month together, on any one day when, after Confession and Communion, they shall, being truly penitent, pray according to the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff. iii. A plenary indulgence on the Feast of the Patronage of St. Joseph (the third Sunday after Easter) was added by Pope Pius VII, by a Rescript of the S. Congr. of Indulgences of June 13, 1815, in which he also confirmed the above-named Indulgences. This may be gained by the faithful after Confession and Communion on that day, provided that they have said these five psalms frequently in the course of the year.
THE FIVE PSALMS.
Ant. Joseph virum Maria, de qua natus est Jesus, qui vocatur Christus.
J. Ps. 99
Jubilate Deo omnis terra: * servite Domino in laetitia. Introite in conspectu ejus, * in exultatione. Scitote, quoniam D.ominus ipse est Deus: * ipse fecit nos, et non ipsi nos. Populus ejus, et oves pascuae ejus: * introite portas ejus in confessione, atria ejus in hymnis; confitemni illi. Laudate nomen ejus, quoniam suavis est Dominus, in aeternum misericordia ejus: * et usque in generationem et generationem veritas ejus. Gloria Patri, et Filio, * et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, * et in saecula saeculorum. Amen
Ant. Joseph virum Mariae, de qua natus est Jesus, qui vocatur Christus.
Ant. Joseph de domo David, et nomen Virginis Maria.
O. Ps. 46.
Omnes gentes plaudite manibus: * jubilate Deo in voce exultationis. Quoniam Dominus excelsus, terribilis, * rex magnus super omnem terram. Subjecit populos nobis, * et gentes sub pedibus nostris. Elegit nobis hereditatem suam, * speciem Jacob, quam dilexit. Ascendit Deus in jubilo, * et Dominus in voce tubae. Psallite Deo nostro, psallite; * psallite regi nostro, psallite. Quoniam rex omnis terrae Deus; * psallite sapienter. Regnabit Deus super gentes; * Deus sedet super sedem sanctam suam. Principes populorum congregati sunt cum Deo Abraham: * quoniam dii fortes terrae vehementer elevati sunt.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, * et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, * et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Ant. Joseph de domo David, et nomen Virginis Maria.
Ant. Joseph vir ejus, cum esset justus, et nollet eam traducere.
S. Ps. 128.
Saepe expugnaverunt me a juventute mea: * etenim non potuerunt mihi. Supra dorsum meum fabricaverunt peccatores: * prolongaverunt iniquitatem suam. Dominus justus concidit cervices peccatorum: * confundantur, et convertantur retrorsum omnes, qui oderunt Sion. Fiant sicut foenum tectorum, * quod priusquam evellatur, exaruit. De quo non implevit manum suam, qui metit, * et sinum suum, qui manipulos colligit. Et non dixerunt, qui praeteribant: Benedictio Domini super vos: * benediximus vobis in nomine Domini. Gloria Patri, et Filio, * et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, * et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Ant. Joseph vir ejus, cum esset justus, et nollet eam traducere.
Ant. Joseph fili David, noli timere accipere Mariam conjugem tuam.
E. Ps. 80.
Exultate Deo adjutori nostro: * jubilate Deo Jacob. Sumite psalmum, et date tympanum, * psalterium jucundum cum cithara. Buccinate in Neomenia tuba, * in insigni die solemnitatis vestrae. Quia praecptum in Israel est, * et judicium Deo Jacob. Testimonium in Joscph posuit illud, cum exiret de terra Aegypti: * linguam, quam non noverat, audivit. Divertit ab oneribus dorsum ejus: * manus ejus in cophino servierunt. In tribulatione invocasti me, et liberavi te: * exaudivi te in abscondito tempestatis; probavi te apud aquam contradictionis. Audi populus meus, et contestabor te: * Israel si audieris me, non erit in te deus recens, neque adorabis deum alienum. Ego enim sum Dominus Deus tuus, qui eduxi te de terra Aegypti: * ditata os tuum, et implebo illud. Et non audivit populus meus vocem meam: * et Israel non intendit mihi. Et dimisi eos secundum desideria cordis eorum: * ibunt in adinventionibus suis. Si populus meus audisset me, * Israel si in viis meis ambulasset Pro nihilo forsitan inimicos eorum humiliassem: * et super tribulantos eos misissem manum meam. Inimici Domini mentiti sunt ei: * et erit tempus eorum in saecula. Et cibavit eos ex adipe frumenti; * et de petra melle saturavit eos. Gloria Patri, et Filio, * et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, * et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Ant. Joseph fili David, noli timere accipere Mariam conjugem tuam.
Ant. Joseph exurgens a somno fecit, sicut praecepit ei angelus.
PH. Ps. 86.
Fundamenta ejus in montibus sanctis: * diligit Dominus portas Sion super omnia tabernacula Jacob. Gloriosa dicta sunt de te: * civitas Dei. Memor ero Rahab, et Babylonis: * scientium me. Ecce alienigenae, et Tyrus, et populus Aethiopum: * hi fuerunt illic. Numquid Sion dicet: Homo, et homo natus est in ea: * et ipse fundavit eam Altissimus? Dominus narrabit in scripturis populorum, et principum: * horum, qui fuerunt in ea. Sicut laetantium omnium: * habitatio est in te. Gloria Patri, et Filio, * et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, * et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Ant. Joseph exurgens a somno fecit, sicut praecepit ei angelus.
V. Constituit eum dominum domus sui. R. Et principem omnis possessionis sui.
Oremus. Deus, qui ineffabili providentia beatum Joseph sacratissimae Genitricis tuae sponsum eligere dignatus es; praesta quaesumus, ut quem protectorem veneramur in terris, intercessorem habere mereamur in coelis. Qui vivis et regnas, &c.
V. He made him lord over His house. R. And prince of all that was His.
Let us pray. O God, who in Thine ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the husband of Thy most holy Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may have him for our intercessor in heaven, whom on earth we venerate as our holy protector. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
HYMNUS
Dei qui gratiam impotes, Coelestium dona expetunt, Josephi nomen invocent, Opemque poscant supplices.
Joseph vocato nomine Deus adest petentibus, Auget piis justitiam, Culpamque delet impiis.
Josephi piis quaerentibus Dantur beata munera, Datur palma victoriae Agonis in certamine.
Amplexus inter Virginis, Castaeque prolis placido Vitam sopore deserens, Morientium fit regula.
Illo nihil potentius, Cujus parentem nutibus, Et subditum inuperiis Deum viderunt Angeli.
Illo nihil perfectius, Qui sponsus almae Virginis Electus est, Altissimi Custos parensque creditus.
O ter beata et amplius Honor sit tibi, Trinitas, Pater, Verbumque, et Spiritus, Sanctoque Joseph nomini. Amen.
Ant. Adjutor est in tribulationibus, et protector omnibus beatus Joseph nomen suum pie invocantibus.
V. Sit nomen beati Josephi benedictum. R. Ex hoc nunc et usque in saeculum.
Oremus. Deus, qui mirabilis in sanctis tuis, mirabilior in beato Josepho, eum coelestium dononum disponsatorem super familiam tuam constituisti; praesta quaesumus, ut cujus nomen devoti veneramur, ejus precibus et meritis adjuti ab portum salutis feliciter perveniamus. Per Dominum, &c.
HYMN.
Seek ye the grace of God, And mercies from on high? Invoke St. Joseph’s holy name, And on his aid rely.
So shall the Lord well-pleas’d Your earnest prayer fulfil; The guilty cleanse from guilt, and make The holy holier still.
So shall his tender care To you through life be nigh; So shall his love with triumph crown Your dying agony.
Lock’d in the Virgin’s arms Of Mary and her Son;- Embracing each in speechless joy And sweetest union.
O Joseph, in what peace Was breath’d thy latest sigh! Dear pattern of all those to come Who should in Jesus die.
Hail, mightiest of saints! To whom submissive bent He whose Creator-hand outstretch’d The starry firmament.
Hail, Mary’s spouse elect! Hail, guardian of the Word! Nurse of the Highest, and esteem’d The father of the Lord!
Blest Trinity to Thee, From all in earth, in heaven, And to St. Joseph’s holy name, Be praise and honour given.
Ant. Blessed Joseph is the helper in troubles and protector of all who piously call upon his name.
V. Blessed be the name of Joseph. R. Henceforth and evermore.
Let us pray. O God, wonderful in Thy saints, and more wonderful in blessed Joseph, who hast made him dispenser of heavenly gifts over Thy family; grant, we beseech Thee, that we who devoutly venerate his name on earth may, through the assistance of his prayers and merits, happily attain unto the haven of salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
RESPONSORIUM: “QUICUMQUE,” ETC.
Pope Pius VII., by a Rescript of Sept. 6, 1804, given through his Eminence the Cardinal-Vicar, and kept in his Segretaria, granted – An indulgence of one year to all the faithful in the whole Catholic world, every time that with contrite heart and devoutly they say the following Responsorium in honour of the glorious Patriarch St. Joseph, to implore his efficacious protection in life and in death:
THE RESPONSORIUM
Quicumque sanus vivere, Cursumque vitae claudere In fine laetus expetit, Opem Josephi postulet.
Hic sponsus almae Virginis, Paterque Jesu creditus, Justus, fidelis, integer, Quod poscit, orans impetrat. Quicumque &c.
Foeno jacentem parvulum Adorat, et post exulem Solatur; inde perditum Quaerit dolens, et invenit. Quicumque &c.
Mundi supremus artifex Ejus labore pascitur, Summi Parentis Filius Obedit illi subditus. Quicumque, &c.
Adesse morti proximus Cum Matre Jesu conspicit, Et inter ipsos jubilans Dulci sopore solvitur. Quicumque, &c.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, ct Spiritui Sancto, &c. Quicumque, &c.
Ant. Ecce fidelis servus, et prudeius, quem constituit Dominus super familiam suam.
V. Ora pro nobis, sancte Joseph. R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.
Oremus. Deus, qui ineffabili providentia beatum Joseph sacratissimae Genitricis tuae sponsum eligere dignatus es; praesta quaesumus, ut quem protectorem veneramur in terris, intercessorem habere mereamur in coelis. Qui vivis et regnas, &c.
TRANSLATION
To all who would holily live, To all who would happily die, St. Joseph is ready to give Sure guidance, and help from on high.
Of Mary the spouse undefil’d, Just, holy, and pure of all stain, He asks of his own foster Child; And needs but ask to obtain.
Here the first stanza is repeated: To all who would holily live, To all who would happily die, St. Joseph is ready to give Sure guidance, and help from on high
In the manger that Child he ador’d, And nurs’d Him in exile and flight; Him, lost in His boyhood, deplor’d, And found with amaze and delight. To all, &c.
The Maker of heaven and earth By the labour of Joseph was fed; The Son of an infinite birth Submissive to Joseph was made. To all, &c.
And when his last hour drew nigh, O, full of all joy was his breast; Seeing Jesus and Mary close by, As he tranquilly slumber’d to rest. To all, &c.
All praise to the Father above; All praise to the glorious Son; All praise to the Spirit of love, While the days of eternity run. To all, &c.
Ant. Behold the faithful and prudent servant whom the Lord set over His house.
V. Pray for us, Holy Joseph. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, who in Thine ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the husband of Thy most holy Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may have him for our intercessor in heaven, whom on earth we venerate as our holy protector. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
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Altar Stones Oratory 