Joseph of Nazareth, you are the man
Last in the line that rose from David, King,
Down through the royal generations ran,
And ends with Jesus Christ.
Gabriel from heaven came to Mary's side,
Came with the joyful promise of a King,
Came to you also, Joseph, to confide
That God conceived this Child.
Guardian and foster-father of the Christ,
Honor to you, so chosen by our God!
Husband of Virgin Mary, you are first
To show us Christian love.
text: Stephen Sommerville, 1972
There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being. Whenever the divine favor chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfill the task at hand.
This general rule is especially verified in the case of St. Joseph, the foster- father of our Lord and the husband of the Queen of our world, enthroned above the angels. He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of his greatest treasures, namely, his divine Son and Mary, Joseph's wife. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying: Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord.
What then is Joseph's position in the whole Church of Christ? Is he not a man chosen and set apart? Through him and, yes, under him, Christ was fittingly and honorably introduced into the world. Holy Church in its entirety is indebted to the Virgin Mother because through her it was judged worthy to receive Christ. But after her we undoubtedly owe special gratitude and reverence to St. Joseph.
In him the Old Testament finds its fitting close. He brought the noble line of the patriarchs and prophets to its promised fulfillment. What the divine goodness had offered as a promise to them, he held in his arms.
Obviously, Christ does not now deny to Joseph that intimacy, reverence and very high honor which he gave him on earth, as a son to his father. Rather we must say that in heaven Christ completes and perfects all that he gave at Nazareth.
Now we can see how the last summoning words of the Lord appropriately apply to St. Joseph: Enter into the joy of your Lord. In fact, although the joy of eternal happiness enters into the soul of a man, the Lord preferred to say to Joseph: Enter into joy. His intention was that the words should have a hidden spiritual meaning for us. They convey not only that this holy man possesses an inward joy, but also that is surrounds him and engulfs him like an infinite abyss.
Remember us, St. Joseph, and plead for us to your foster-child. Ask your most holy bride, the virgin Mary, to look kindly upon us, since she is the mother of him who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns eternally. Amen.
Joseph, patron saint of workers,
Blending skill with charity,
Silent carpenter, we praise you!
Joining work with honesty,
You taught Christ with joy to labor
Sharing his nobility.
Joseph, close to Christ and Mary,
Lived with them in poverty,
Shared with them their home and labor,
Worked with noble dignity.
May we seek God's will as you did,
Leader of his family!
Joseph, workmen's inspiration,
Man of faith and charity,
Make us honest, humble, faithful,
Strong with Christ's true liberty,
Make our labor and our leasure
Fruitful to eternity!
text: Bernard C. Mischke, O.S.C., 1966
The Lord is the giver of holiness. Let us turn to him and pray:
Holy God, raise us up to new life in holiness.
1-Lord our God, you called our fathers in faith to walk before you in holiness of heart,
-may we follow in their footsteps, and obey your command to be perfect.
2-You chose Joseph the righteous to care for your Son in childhood and youth,
-teach us to care for Christ's body by caring for our brother and sisters.
3-You entrusted the earth to mankind, to people it and make it prosper,
-inspire us to work wholeheartedly in this world, seeing always to give you glory.
4-Father of all mankind, do not forget what your hands have made,
-grant that all who work may have secure employment and a fitting standard of living.
Let us pray.
Father, you entrusted our Savior to the care of St. Joseph.
By the help of his prayers
may your Church continue to serve its Lord, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Look down to us, St. Joseph,
Protector of our Lord,
Who followed you through deserts,
And gave you blessed reward;
Our foes are yet about us,
Be strength now at our side,
Be light against the darkness.
St. Joseph, be our guide!
We venerate your justice,
The gospels praise your name,
You are the saint all humble,
Who gained eternal fame;
In your devoted family
Our souls in trust confide,
Direct our way to heaven.
St. Joseph, be our guide!
text: Michael Gannon
All fatherhood in heaven and on earth has its origin in God. Let us turn to him and
pray:
Our Father in heaven, hear our prayer.
1-All-holy Father, you revealed to St. Joseph your eternal plan of salvation in Christ,
-deepen our understanding of you Son, true God and true man.
2-Father in heaven, you feed the birds of the air, and clothe the fields with the fruit of
the earth,
-give all your children their daily bread, to sustain soul and body.
3-Maker of the universe, you have entrusted your creation to our safekeeping,
-may all who work receive a just reward for their labors.
4-God of all righteousness, you want us all to be like you,
-may St. Joseph inspire us to walk always in your way of holiness.
5-Look kindly on the dying and the dead, and grant them mercy,
-through the intercession of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Let us pray.
Father, you entrusted our Savior to the care of St. Joseph.
By the help of his prayers
may your Church continue to serve its Lord, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen