Wednesday Devotion toJOSEPH PURE OF HEART

Guardian of the Sacred Hearts

I.  Salutation of the Sacred Heart 

in the Blessed Sacrament

II.  Invocations on the Crucifix & Angelus on the Pendant

III.  Readings from the Liturgy of the Hours
IV.  The Florilegium Rosary

V.   The Antiphon to Mary and the Litany of Joseph

VI.  The Divine Praises

When prayed in common, a leader reads the verses only, 

and the rest respond antiphonally.

I

SALUTATION OF THE SACRAMENT

ANTIPHON

The Latin chant may be sung antiphonally between a cantor and the rest.

Ave Verum Corpus

Vs.  Ave verum corpus natum de Maria virgine.

Rs.  Vere passum, immolatum in cruce pro homine.

Vs. Cujus latus perforatum fluxit aqua et sanguine.

Rs.  Esto nobis praegustatum, mortis in examine

Vs.  O Jesu dulcis!   *   Rs.  O Jesu pie!

Vs.  O Jesu!   *   Rs.  Fili Mariae!

English Translation for Recitation

Vs.  Hail, sacred body born for us of blessed Mary's virgin womb.

Rs.  Hail, sacred body born to suffer for us the sacrifice of the cross.

Vs.  Hail, sacred head that lay to rest on Joseph's breast.

Rs.  Hail, sacred head crowned for us with crown of piercing thorn.

Vs.  Hail, sacred heart pierced to flow for us 

thy precious blood and saving water.

Rs.  O sacred heart pierced for love us:

 be our foretaste of life in the hour of our death.

A leader says the opening prayer, and the rest conclude:

Lord Holy Father,

graciously hear us who believe and confess

that present in this Blessed Sacrament

is the very body born of the Virgin Mary,

and guarded by blessed Joseph,

and pierced for our salvation from the cross.

Grant us always to drink worthily from the saving font

flowing to us from this Sacred Heart.

Rs.  Through the same Christ our Lord,

Amen.

HYMN

Jesu dulcis memoria

Stanzas may be sung antiphonally between a cantor and the rest.

Best sung a capella, lightly and flowingly.

Vs.

Jesu, thou joy of loving hearts,

Thou font of life, thou light of men,

From sweetnesses that earth imparts

We turn unfilled to thee again.

Rs.

No voice can sing, no heart can frame,

Nor can the mind a name contrive,

A sweeter sound than thy sweet name,

Sweet Jesus, Savior of mankind.

Vs.

Thy love unchanged has ever stood,

Thou savest those that on thee call.

To them that seek thee, ever good,

To them that find thee, all in all.

Rs.

Our restless spirits yearn for thee,

Here where our changeful lot is cast.

Glad when thy grace at work we see,

Blest when unseen faith holds thee fast.

Vs.

We taste thee, living bread and true,

And long to feast upon thee still.

From thee we drink, thy heart pierced through,

And thirst our souls from thee to fill.

Rs.

Abide with us this hour, O Lord,

Fulfil us with thy grace, we pray.

Feed with thy body here adored

Our souls that with thee watch and pray.

Amen.

II

INVOCATIONS ON THE CROSS
& ANGELUS ON THE PENDENTS

(The opening invocations are said on the crucifix.

All make the sign of the cross with it on the lips at the first verse:)

Vs. O Lord, you will open my lips,

and my mouth shall declare your praise.

(Then kissing the crucifix, all make the sign of the cross with it 

on the brow and breast at the second verse:)

Rs. O God, come to my assistance;

O Lord, make haste to help me.

Vs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

Rs. As it was in the beginning, is now, 

and ever shall be, 

world without end. Amen.

Vs. Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me bless his holy name.

Rs. Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits.

(On the large bead of the pendant:)

Vs. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name:

Rs. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Angelus

(This Angelus is said on the three small beads of the pendent, 

the leader leading with the verses, and the rest responding:)

Vs. The angel of the Lord declared unto Joseph: *

Son of David, fear not to take Mary for your wife,

for what is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee:

Rs. Blessed art thou among women, and

and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, holy Mother of God, pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Vs. Rising up, Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. *

And when she brought forth her firstborn son, he called his name Jesus,

the name given him by the angel.

Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee:

Rs. Blessed art thou among women, and ...

Vs. All this was done to fulfill what the Lord spoke by the prophet: *

Behold a virgin shall be with child and bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name Emmanuel: God-with-us.

Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee:

Rs. Blessed art thou among women, and ...

Vs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

Rs. As it was in the beginning, is now, 

and ever shall be,

world without end. Amen.

(The leader recites the prayer:)

Grant, we beseech thee, O God,

that thy Church may unceasingly serve the fulfillment 

of the mysteries of human salvation

whose beginnings you entrusted

to the faithful care of blessed Joseph.

Rs. Through the same Christ our Lord,

Amen.

III

READINGS

A SCRIPTURAL READING FROM
THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS 11:1ff

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old received divine approval. By faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made out of things which do not appear.

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he received approval as righteous, God bearing witness by accepting his gifts; he died, but through his faith he is still speaking. ...

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, took heed and constructed an ark for the saving of his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness which comes by faith.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

These all died in faith, not having received what was promised, but having seen it and greeted it from afar ...

Responsory:

Vs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirt:

No distrust made him waver in the promise of God. *

For strengthened by his faith, Joseph gave glory to God.:

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

Vs. It was reputed to him for justice: *

Rs. For strengthened by his faith, Joseph gave glory to God.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

Vs. No distrust made him waver in the promise of God. *

Rs.  For strengthened by his faith, Joseph gave glory to God.

A MEDITATION OF POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II
FROM HIS ENCYCLICAL REDEMPTORIS CUSTOS

When, soon after the Annunciation, Mary went to the house of Zechariah to visit her kinswoman Elizabeth, even as she offered her greeting she heard the words of Elizabeth, who was filled with the Holy Spirit. Besides offering a salutation which recalled that of the angel at the Annunciation, Elizabeth also said: And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. These words were the guiding thought of the Encyclical Redemptoris Mater, in which I sought to deepen the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, which stated the Blessed Virgin advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, and faithfully preserved her union with her Son even to the cross, preceding all those who follow Christ by faith.

Now at the beginning of this pilgrimage, the faith of Mary meets the faith of Joseph. If Elizabeth said of the Redeemer's Mother, blessed is she who believed, in a certain sense this blessedness can be referred to Joseph as well, since he responded positively to the word of God when it was communicated to him at the decisive moment. While it is true that Joseph did not respond to the angel's announcement in the same way as Mary, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took his wife. What he did is the clearest obedience of faith, as spoken of by St. Paul.

One can say that what Joseph did united him in an altogether special way to the faith of Mary. He accepted as truth coming from God the very thing that she had already accepted at the Annunciation. The Council teaches: The obedience of faith' must be given to God as he reveals himself. By this obedience of faith man freely commits himself entirely to God, making 'the full submission of his intellect and will to God who reveals,' and willingly assenting to the revelation given by him. This statement, which touches the very essence of faith, is perfectly applicable to Joseph of Nazareth.

Therefore he became a unique guardian of the mystery hidden for ages in God, as did Mary, in that decisive moment which St. Paul calls the fullness of time, when God sent forth his Son, born of woman...to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. In the words of the Council: It pleased God, in his goodness and wisdom, to reveal himself and to make known the mystery of his will. His will was that men should have access to the Father, through Christ, the Word made flesh, in the Holy Spirit, and become sharers in the divine nature.

Together with Mary, Joseph is the first guardian of this divine mystery. Together with Mary, and in relation to Mary, he shares in this final phase of God's self-revelation in Christ and he does so from the very beginning. Looking at the gospel texts of both Matthew and Luke, one can also say that Joseph is the first to share in the faith of the Mother of God and that in doing so he supports his spouse in the faith of the divine annunciation. He is also the first to be placed by God on the path of Mary's "pilgrimage of faith." It is a path along which—especially at the time of Calvary and Pentecost—Mary will precede in a perfect way.

The path that was Joseph's—his pilgrimage of faith—ended first, that is to say, before Mary stood at the foot of the cross on Golgotha, and before the time after Christ returned to the Father, when she was present in the upper room on Pentecost, the day the Church was manifested to the world, having been born in the power of the Spirit of truth. Nevertheless, Joseph's way of faith moved in the same direction: it was totally determined by the same mystery, of which he, together with Mary, had been the first guardian.

Responsory:

Vs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirt: *

God has made me a father to the king,

And made me lord over all his household.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

Vs. He has lifted me up to preserve the lives of many. *

Rs. And made me lord over all his household.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

Vs. God has made me a father to the king. *

Rs. And made me lord over all his household.

IV

THE FLORILEGIUM ROSARY

Let us ponder in our hearts the sorrows of the Lord's infancy,

borne by the heart of blessed Joseph, 

sacred guardian of the sacred hearts.

FIRST, THE ANNUNCIATIONS

Vs. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name.

Rs. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done ...

A leader begins by reading the verses only, and the rest respond:

Vs. 1  The angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. * And the virgin's name was Mary. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 2  And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for you have found grace with God: * Behold, you shall conceive in your womb and bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 3  The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you. * And therefore the holy infant that will be born of you shall be called the Son of God. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 4  Thus was Mary found to be with child of the Holy Spirit. * Now Joseph, being a just man and not willing to expose her publicly, was minded to put her away privately. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 5  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 Mary as your wife; for what is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 6  And she will bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus: * for he shall save his people from their sins. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 7  Now all this was done as the Lord spoke by the prophet: * Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel: 'God-with-us'. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 8  And Joseph, rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and he took to him his wife. * And she brought forth her firstborn son, and he called his name Jesus. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 9  Behold the faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord sets over his family: * He has made me like a father to the king, and a lord of his whole house. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 10  In the promise of God he did not waver by distrust. * By his works his faith was made perfect, and it was reputed to him as justice. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

She shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus: *

For he shall save his people from their sins.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

Vs. And Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him,

and he called his name Jesus: *

Rs. For he shall save his people from their sins.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

Vs. She shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. *

Rs. For he shall save his people from their sins.

SECOND, THE VISIT TO ELIZABETH AND ZECHARIAH

Vs. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name.

Rs. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done ...

A leader begins by reading the verses only, and the rest respond:

Vs. 1  It shall come to pass that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh: * your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 2  And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, * that I am the Lord your God, and there is none besides. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 3  Fear not, Zachariah, for your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, and many shall rejoice in his birth; * and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 4  And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb: * and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 5  And she cried out with a loud voice and said: * Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou ...

Vs. 6  But how is it that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?  * For, behold, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 7  And his father Zachariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied: * You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 8  To give knowledge of salvation to his people, * for the remission of their sins. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou ...

Vs. 9  For through the depths of the mercy of our God, * the Dayspring from on high has visited us.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 10  To enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death; * to direct our feet in the way of peace. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

She shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus: *

For he shall save his people from their sins.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

Vs. And Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him,

and he called his name Jesus: *

Rs. For he shall save his people from their sins.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

Vs. She shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.*

Rs. For he shall save his people from their sins.

THIRD, THE BIRTH IN BETHLEHEM

Vs.  Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name.

Rs.  Thy kingdom come, thy will be done ...

A leader begins by reading the verses only, and the rest respond:

Vs. 1  When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, behold, there came wise men from the East, saying, Where is he that is born the king of Jews? * For we have seen his star in the East and have come to adore him.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 2  And king Herod, hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him, and he inquired where Christ was to be born. * The chief priests and the scribes said, In Bethlehem of Judah.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 3  Then Herod sent the wise men to Bethlehem, saying: Go inquire after the child; * and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore him.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 4  Behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, until it stood over where the child was. * They found the child with Mary, his mother, and falling down they adored him.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 5  And they receive a revelation in sleep, that they should not return to Herod: * for it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 6  And, behold, the Lord’s angel appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt! * And stay there until I shall tell you, for Herod will seek the child to destroy him.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 7  Joseph arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt. * And he was there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord spoke by the prophet might be fulfilled: Out of Egypt have I called my son.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 8  Then Herod was exceeding angry, and sending he killed all the male children in Bethlehem from two years old and under. * And a voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning: Rachel bewailing her children would not be comforted.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 9  But when Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. * For they are dead that sought the life of the child.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 10  Joseph arose and took the child and his mother into the quarters of Galilee, hearing that in Judea Herod's son ruled in his stead . * And he dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was said might be fulfilled: He shall be called a Nazarene.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

She shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus: *

For he shall save his people from their sins.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

Vs. And Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him,

and he called his name Jesus: *

Rs. For he shall save his people from their sins.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

Vs. She shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.*

Rs. For he shall save his people from their sin.

FOURTH, THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE

Vs. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name.

Rs. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done ...

(A leader begins by reading the verses only, and the rest respond:)

Vs. 1  When eight days were accomplished so that the child should be circumcised, his name was called Jesus, * the name which he was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou ...

Vs. 2  And after the forty days of her purification were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, * as is written in the law of the Lord: Sanctify to me every firstborn that opens the womb among the children of Israel. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou ...

Vs. 3  Every firstborn of man you shall redeem with a price. * For when Pharaoh was hardened and would not let us go, the Lord slew every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of man to the firstborn of beast.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou ...

Vs. 4  Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all that opens the womb, and the firstborn of my sons I redeem, as it is written in the Law of the Lord: * To offer sacrifice: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 5 And when his parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him according to the law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God: * Now, O Lord, my eyes have seen your salvation: the light you have prepared for the enlightenment of gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 6 And his father and mother were marveling at these things which were spoken about him. * And Simeon blessed them also. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 7 And he said to Mary his mother: Behold, this child is set for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be contradicted. *  And your own soul too a sword shall pierce.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 8  Behold, I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect and precious. * And he that shall believe in him, shall not be confounded. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 9  To them that believe, he is honor; * but to them that believe not, a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 10  The stone that the builders rejected, the same is made the cornerstone. * This is the Lord's doing, and it is wonderful in our eyes. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

She shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus: *

For he shall save his people from their sins.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

Vs. And Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him,

and he called his name Jesus: *

Rs. For he shall save his people from their sins.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

Vs. She shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.*

Rs. For he shall save his people from their sin.

FIFTH, THE FINDING IN THE TEMPLE

Vs. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name.

Rs. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done ...

A leader begins by reading the verses only, and the rest respond:

Vs. 1  When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem at the solemn day of the Pasch. * And as they returned, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, without his parents knowing. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 2  And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the Teachers, hearing them and asking them questions. * And seeing it, they wondered at him.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 3  And his mother said to him: * Son, behold, your father and I have sought you sorrowing. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 4  And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business? * And they understood not the word that he spoke to them. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 5  And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and he was obedient to them. * And his mother kept all these words in her heart. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 6  Jesus was about thirty years old when he begin his work, being supposed the son of Joseph,  the husband of Mary, * of whom was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 7  Christ Jesus, being in the form of God, * thought it not robbery to be equal with God.  Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 8  Yet he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, * being made in the likeness of men and coming to be as a man. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 9  And though he was indeed the Son of God, he learned obedience by the things that he suffered: * that made like his brethren in all things, he might become a merciful and faithful priest before God. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. 10  For both he that sanctifies and they that are sanctified, * are of one Father. Hail Mary, hail Full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Rs. Blessed art thou …

Vs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

She shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus: *

For he shall save his people from their sins.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

Vs. And Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him,

and he called his name Jesus: *

Rs. For he shall save his people from their sins.

Rs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit:

Vs. She shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.*

Rs. For he shall save his people from their sin.

INTERCESSIONS FOR THE CHURCH

Vs. Lord, have mercy.  

Rs. Lord, have mercy.

Vs. Christ, have mercy.

Rs. Christ, have mercy.

Vs. Lord, have mercy.

Rs. Christ, have mercy.  

Vs. Christ, hear us.

Rs. Christ, graciously hear us.

Vs. God the Father in heaven,  

Rs. Have mercy on us.

Vs. God the Son, Redeemer of the world,

Rs. Have mercy on us.

Vs. God the Holy Spirit,

Rs. Have mercy on us.

Vs. Holy Trinity, one God,

Rs. Have mercy on us. 

Vs. Watch over your Church, O Lord..

Rs. O Lord, watch over our Holy Father.

Vs. Preserve your Church, O Lord.

Rs. O Lord, preserve our Holy Father.

Vs. Uphold your Church, O Lord.

Rs. O Lord, uphold our Holy Father.

Vs. Grant the pastors of your Church and its laborers

ever to renew, O Lord.

Rs. O Lord, grant your people ever to renew.

Vs. Grant religious life in the Church and the consecrated

ever to renew, O Lord.

Rs. O Lord, grant your people ever to renew.

Vs. Grant the life of the faithful in the family and in the world

ever to renew, O Lord.

Rs. O Lord, grant your people ever to renew.

Vs. In your mercy draw to the bosom of the Church

all the peoples of the world, O Lord.

Rs. And in your mercy hear the Pope's intentions

for all the peoples of the world, O Lord.

O Lord, 

who left for us in this wondrous Sacrament 

a memorial of Thy passion: 

grant us, we beseech thee, 

so to venerate the sacred mysteries of thy body and blood 

that we may ever know

the fruits of Thy redemption within us. 

Who live and reign

forever and ever,

Rs. Amen

V

THE ANTIPHON & LITANY

ANTIPHON TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Salve Regina

(The English translation below is adapted for singing it 

to the melody of the Latin Salve Regina:)

Mary, we greet thee ...

Mother and Queen all merciful:

our life, our sweetness, and our hope,

we greet thee!

To thee we exiles,

children of Eve, lift our crying;

to thee we send our sighs,

as mourning and weeping

we pass through this valley of tears.

Therefore we pray,

be our gracious helper;

look with pity,

with eyes of loving tenderness,

upon us sinners.

And at the end,

when this earthly exile shall be over,

show us

the blessed fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

O loving!

O gentle!

O most sweet

Virgin Mary!

 

Or the Latin plainchant is sung by all, a cantor intoning the first phrase.

 

Salve Regina

 

Vs. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God:

Rs. That we be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

V

LITANY OF ST. JOSPEH 

O blessed Joseph,

having implored the help of your most holy Spouse,

to you as well we come in our tribulations,

and confidently invoke your patronage.

Through the charity which bound you

to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God,

and through the paternal love

with which you embraced the Child Jesus,

we humbly beg you 

graciously to have regard for this inheritance which 

Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood,

and to aid us in our necessities

with the power and strength you have from him.

O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family,

defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ!

O most loving father, ward off from us

every contagion of error and corrupting influence!

O our most mighty protector, be kind to us

and aid us from heaven in our struggle

with the power of darkness!

As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril,

so now protect God's Holy Church

from the snares of the enemy 

and from all adversity.

Shield, too, each one of us 

by your constant protection,

that, supported by your example and your aid,

we may prove able to live in piety, to die in holiness,

and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven.

Vs. Illustrious son of David,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Light of Patriarchs,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Spouse of the Mother of God,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Guardian of the Redeemer,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Pure Guardian of the Virgin,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Provider for the Son of God,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Zealous defender of Christ, 

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Servant of Christ,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Minister of salvation,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Head of the Holy Family,  

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Joseph, most just,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Joseph, most chaste,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Joseph, most prudent,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Joseph, most brave,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Joseph, most obedient,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Joseph, most loyal,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Mirror of patience,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Lover of poverty,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Model for workers,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Glory of family life,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Guardian of virgins,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Cornerstone of families,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Support in difficulties,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Comfort of the sorrowing,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Hope of the sick,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Patron of exiles,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Patron of the afflicted,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Patron of the poor,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Patron of the dying,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Terror of demons,

Rs. Pray for us.

Vs. Protector of the Holy Church,

Rs. Pray for us.

                 

Vs. O Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, 

Rs. Spare us, O Lord.

Vs. O Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,

Rs. Hear us, O Lord.

Vs. O Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,

Rs. Have mercy on us.

O Lord,

who in thy ineffable providence

were pleased to choose St. Joseph, pure of heart,

as the spouse of thy most holy Mother,

and thy protector in thy childhood,

grant us, we pray thee,

that we who revere him as our protector on earth,

may likewise be worthy of his intercession in heaven.

Rs. Amen.

THE DIVINE PRAISES

(A leader leads with the invocations, and the rest respond.)

Vs. Blessed be God.

Rs. Blessed be his holy name.

Vs. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.

Rs. Blessed be the name of Jesus.

Vs. Blessed be his most sacred heart.

Rs. Blessed be his most precious blood.

Vs. Blessed be Jesus in the most holy Sacrament of the Altar.

Rs. Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.

Vs. Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.

Rs. Blessed be her holy and immaculate conception.

Vs. Blessed be her glorious assumption.

Rs. Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.

Vs. Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.

Rs. Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints.

Or esle the Latin plainchant is sung antiphonally 

between a cantor and the rest.

Vs. Benedictus Deus. Benedictus nomen sanctum eius.
Rs. Benedictus Jesus Christus, verus Deus and verus homo.

Vs. Benedictum nomen Jesu. Benedictum cor ejus sacratissimum
Rs. Benedictus ejus sanguis pretiossimus.

Vs. Benedictus Jesus in sanctissimo altaris sacramento.
Rs. Benedictus Spiritus Sanctus, Sanctus Paraclitus.

Vs. Benedicta magna Mater Dei, Maria santissima.
Rs. Benedicta sancta ejus et immaculata conceptio.

Vs. Benedicta ejus gloriosa assumptio.
Rs. Benedictum nomen Mariae, Virginis et Matris.

Vs. Benedictus sanctus Joseph, ejus castissimu Sponsus.
Rs. Benedictus Deus in angelis suis, et in sanctis suis.
Fiat, fiat.

 

Laudes Divinae

 The Blessing 

 

Vs. Our help is In the name of the Lord:
Rs. Who made heaven and earth. 

 

Vs. Glory be to the Father, 

and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit: 

 

Rs. As it was in the beginning, 

is now, 

and ever shall be, 

world without end. 

 Amen  

 

Vs. May the Lord our God bless us, 

defend us from all evil, 

and lead us to eternal life: 

Kissing the crucifix, they make the sign of the cross with it: 

Rs. In the name of the Father, 

and of the Son, 

and of the Holy Spirit. 

 Amen.

Vs. Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts,

for he has given his angels charge over you,

to keep you in the way of the Lord.

Rs.  For they are all ministering spirits,

sent for those who shall inherit salvation.

Vs.  Bless the Lord, all his angels,
you that are mighty in strength  and do his bidding, 

obedient to his word.

Rs.  Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers doing his will.

Vs. Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all the places of his dominion

Rs.  Bless the Lord, O my soul.

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