SAINT JOSEPH

Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Confessor

Patron of the Universal Church

Joseph, a member of the royal family of David, was leading the obscure life of a village carpenter when God chose him to be th espouse of the Blessed Virgin and the foster father of the Incarnate Word. Scripture tells us that Joseph was just, pure, gentle, prudent, and a lover of holy silence. Above all, this humble guardian of the Child Jesus was unfailingly obedient to the divine will.
Joseph is not mentioned after he and Mary lost the twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple and, following three days of agonized search, found their boy discoursing divinely with the learned doctors of the Law. The great task of the foster father of Christ must have been finished before the marriage feast at Cana and the beginning of the Savior's public ministry. Untold millions have since then invoked St. Joseph as the patron of a happy death.

ENTRANCE HYMN (Ps. 91:13-14)
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. Ps. 91:2. It is good to praise the Lord, and to sing to Your name, O Most High. V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O Lord, may the merits of the spouse of Your most Holy Mother assist us, so that what we cannot obtain through our own efforts we may have through his intercession; who lives and rules with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

Commemoration of MONDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK IN LENT
O Almighty God, may we please You with our bodies and our souls by keeping this yearly Lenten fast with devotion. Through Our Lord . . .

READING (Eccli. 45:1-6) [Sirac]
Beloved of God, and men: whose memory is in benediction.
He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease.
He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and shewed him his glory.
He sanctified him in his faith, and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh.
For he heard him, and his voice, and brought him into a cloud.
And he gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction.

GRADUAL (Ps. 20:4-5)
O Lord, You made him excel by Your choicest blessings; You placed on his head a crown of precious stones. V. He asked life of You and You gave him length of days forever.

TRACT (Ps. 111:1-3)
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments. V. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the righteous generation shall be blessed. V. Glory and wealth shall be in his house, and his righteousness shall endure forever.

GOSPEL (Matt. 1:18-21)
When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: "Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins."

OFFERTORY HYMN (Ps. 88:25)
My truth and My mercy shall be with him; and in My name shall his power be exalted.

SECRET PRAYER
We worship You, O Lord, as it is our duty. Guard the gifts You have bestowed upon us through the prayers of blessed Joseph, the spouse of the Mother of Jesus, Your Son and our Lord. We offer You this sacrifice of praise on his feast day. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

Commemoration of MONDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK IN LENT
May this sacrifice that we offer You, O Lord, always bring us new life and keep us from harm. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN (Matt. 1:20)
Do not be afraid, Joseph, son of David, to take to thee Mary thy wife, for that which is begotten in her is of the Holy Spirit.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Be close to us, O merciful God, and through the prayers of Your blessed confessor Joseph, watch over the gifts You have given us. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of MONDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK IN LENT
O Lord, may the reception of Your Sacrament bring us ever nearer to our eternal redemption. Through Our Lord . . .