1. OPENING

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Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

 

All: Amen.

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Leader:  Let us give praise to the Lord as we keep this day in honor of his chosen father on earth: Blessed St. Joseph.

 

All: Praise to you Lord, King of eternal glory.

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Leader: We gather today to crown this image of the earthly father of Jesus. As we acclaim Joseph, the Guardian of the Redeemer, as our Prince, and as the Patron of the Church, let us imitate his example and be attentive to the Word of God. As we honor Joseph, who is higher than the cherubim and yet like us, let us pray that through his intercession we may achieve holiness of life, and a deeper faith, hope, and love, as we seek to do the will of God in all things.

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Let us pray: Almighty God, you have given us the Virgin Father of Christ to be our prince and father. With the support of his prayers may we come to share the glory of Your children in the kingdom of Heaven. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

 

All: Amen.

 

2. READINGS

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First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-24,16

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Reader: The Lord spoke to Nathan and said:
“Go, tell my servant David,
‘When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his kingdom firm.
It is he who shall build a house for my name.
And I will make his royal throne firm forever.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever.’”

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Reader: The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

 

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4: 7-8

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Reader: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

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Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

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Leader: Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord;
All: they never cease to praise you (Psalm 84:5).

 

GOSPEL: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24

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Reader: Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.

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Reader: The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

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3. Rite of Crowning

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Leader: Lord, we bless you, for you are full of mercy and justice: you humble the proud and exalt the lowly.

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All: You gave us the highest example of your Divine Wisdom in the mystery of the Word made flesh and of His Virgin Father Joseph.

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Leader: Your Son, humbled by death, rose gloriously at your right hand, the King of all creation.

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All: The son of David, who showed himself to be a worthy servant, became the earthly father and guardian of the Redeemer and of those reborn in Christ. Now, raised above the angels, he prays for all: the Prince of purity and grace.

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Leader: O God, bless us as we crown this image of the most chaste spouse of your Mother.

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All: We confess Christ to be the King of creation, Mary to be our Queen, and may we call upon Joseph to be our Prince and Patron. May we walk in their likeness spending ourselves for the sake of others. Content with our place in this life may we one day hear your voice inviting us to take our place in Heaven and receive the crown of victory.

 

4. HYMN & CROWNING OF IMAGE

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HAIL, HOLY JOSEPH, HAIL

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Hail, holy Joseph, Hail,

Chaste Spouse of Mary, Hail!

Pure as the lily flower

In Eden’s peaceful vale.

Hail, holy Joseph, hail,

Prince of the house of God.

May His best graces be

By thy sweet hands bestowed.

 

Hail, holy Joseph, hail,

Comrade of angels, hail!

Cheer thou the hearts that faint,

And guide the steps that fail.

Hail, holy Joseph, hail!

God’s choice were thou alone.

To thee the Word made flesh

Was subject as a son.

 

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5. LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH

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Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

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Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

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Lord, have mercy. 

Lord, have mercy. 

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Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

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God the Father of Heaven,

have mercy on us.

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God the Son, Redeemer of the World,

have mercy on us.

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God the Holy Spirit,

have mercy on us.

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Holy Trinity, one God,

have mercy on us.

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Holy Mary,

pray for us.

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St. Joseph,

pray for us.

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Renowned offspring of David,

pray for us.

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Light of Patriarchs,

pray for us.

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Spouse of the Mother of God,

pray for us.

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Guardian of the Redeemer,

pray for us.

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Chaste guardian of the Virgin,

pray for us.

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Foster father of the Son of God,

pray for us.

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Diligent protector of Christ,

pray for us.

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Servant of Christ,

pray for us.

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Minister of salvation,

pray for us.

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Head of the Holy Family,

pray for us.

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Joseph most just,

pray for us.

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Joseph most chaste,

pray for us.

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Joseph most prudent,

pray for us.

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Joseph most strong,

pray for us.

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Joseph most obedient,

pray for us.

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Joseph most faithful,

pray for us.

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Mirror of patience,

pray for us.

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Lover of poverty,

pray for us.

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Model of workers,

pray for us.

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Glory of family life,

pray for us.

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Guardian of virgins,

pray for us.

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Pillar of families,

pray for us.

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Support in difficulties,

pray for us.

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Solace of the wretched,

pray for us.

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Hope of the sick,

pray for us.

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Patron of exiles,

pray for us.

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Patron of the afflicted,

pray for us.

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Patron of the poor,

pray for us.

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Patron of the dying,

pray for us.

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Terror of demons,

pray for us.

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Protector of Holy Church,

pray for us.

 

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

spare us, O Lord.

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Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

graciously hear us, O Lord.

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Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us.

  

He made him the lord of his household

And prince over all his possessions.

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Let us pray: O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in Heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever.

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6. CLOSING HYMN

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HAIL JOSEPH

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Dear St. Joseph, pure and gentle,
Guardian of the Saviour child,
Treading with the virgin mother,
Egypt's deserts, rough and wild.
Chorus: Hail, St. Joseph, spouse of Mary,
Blessed above all saints on high,
When the death-shades round us gather,
Teach, oh, teach us how to die.
 

He who rested on your bosom
Is by countless saints adored;
Prostrate angels in His presence
Sing hosannas to their Lord.

 

Chorus: Hail, St. Joseph, spouse of Mary,
Blessed above all saints on high,
When the death-shades round us gather,
Teach, oh, teach us how to die.

Now to you no gift refusing,
Jesus stoops to hear your prayer;
Then, dear saint, from your fair dwelling,
Give to us a father's care.

 

Chorus: Hail, St. Joseph, spouse of Mary,
Blessed above all saints on high,
When the death-shades round us gather,
Teach, oh, teach us how to die.
Dear St. Joseph, kind and loving,
Stretch to us a helping hand;
Guide us through life's toils and sorrows
Safely to the distant land.

 

Chorus: Hail, St. Joseph, spouse of Mary,
Blessed above all saints on high,
When the death-shades round us gather,
Teach, oh, teach us how to die.

In the strife of life be near us,
And in death, oh, hover nigh,
Let our souls on your sweet bosom
To their home of gladness fly.

Chorus: Hail, St. Joseph, spouse of Mary,
Blessed above all saints on high,
When the death-shades round us gather,
Teach, oh, teach us how to die.

Hail St. Joseph, just and holy,
Loving children breathe your name;
Here below, through toil and danger,
Love and care from you we claim.

 

Chorus: Hail, St. Joseph, spouse of Mary,
Blessed above all saints on high,
When the death-shades round us gather,
Teach, oh, teach us how to die.

 

www.BlessedJoseph.com

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