SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKMAN, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKMAN
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE
The Church has for workmen a complete program of social principles and ideal, in which the dignity of the laborer has a sound basis in the spiritual values of work. In an address called "The Apostolate of the Worker for Workers," Pope Pius XII stressed the Catholic laborer's duty of acquainting his fellow workers with this program. The new feast of Saint Joseph the Workman for may 1, gives the Catholic laborer a powerful patron and model in this vital apostolate. God entrusted His own Son as an apprentice worker to the justice and charity of the humble carpenter of Nazareth. With full confidence the working world can look to Joseph for aid in its efforts to build a better social order, one that has social charity as its soul.

INTROIT Sap. 10:17
Wisdom rendered to the just the wages of their labors and conducted them in a wonderful way; and she was for them a protection by day and the light of the stars by night, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 126:1. Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it.
V. Glory Be . . .

COLLECT
O God, the Creator of all things, You have imposed on all men the obligation of work. May the example and prayer of blessed Joseph help us to accomplish the tasks You have commanded us to perform, so that we may attain the reward You have promised. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Col. 3:14-15, 17, 23-24.
Brethren: have charity, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body.
Show yourselves thankful. Whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that you shall receive of the Lord the reward of inheritance. Serve ye the Lord Christ.

Alleluia, alleluia! V.
In whatever tribulation they shall cry to Me, I will hear them and be their protector always. Alleluia!
V. Obtain for us, Joseph, grace to lead an innocent life, that we may always be protected by your patronage. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 13:54-58.
At that time, when Jesus had come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogues, so that they wondered and said: "How came this man by this wisdom and miracles? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Jude: And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence therefore hath he all these things?" And they were scandalized in his regard. But Jesus said to them: "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house." And he wrought not many miracles there, because of their unbelief.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 89:17
May the tender care of the Lord our God watch over us, and direct the work of our hands for us! yes, direct the work of our hands. Alleluia!

SECRET
Mat these offerings that we have labored with our hands to make -- which we now lay before You in sacrifice, O Lord -- be a pledge of unity and peace through the intercession of blessed Joseph. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Matt. 13:54-55
How did this man come by this wisdom and these miracles? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? Alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION
Let these Holy Mysteries which we have received make up for the deficiencies of our work, O Lord, and let them assure us of Your rewards through the intercession of blessed Joseph. Through Our Lord . . .