Wednesday before the Third Sunday after Easter – The Solemnity of St. Joseph
Introit • Ps. 32, 20, 21
The Lord is our helper and protector: in Him our heart shall rejoice, and in His holy name we have trusted. Alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 79, 2 Give ear, O Thou that rulest Israel: Thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep.
Collect (Prayer)
O God, Who, in Thine unspeakable providence, didst deign to choose blessed Joseph for the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, that, venerating him on earth as our protector, we may deserve to have him for our intercessor in heaven. Who livest.
Epistle • Gen. 49, 22-26
Lesson from the Book of Genesis
[Jacob’s prophetical blessings of his twelve sons: his death.]
Joseph is a growing son, a growing son and comely to behold; the daughters run to and fro upon the wall. But they that held darts provoked him, and quarrelled with him, and envied him. His bow rested upon the strong, and the bands of his arms and his hands were loosed, by the hands of the mighty one of Jacob: thence he came forth a pastor, the stone of Israel. The God of thy father shall be thy helper, and the Almighty shall bless thee with the blessings of heaven above, with the blessings of the deep that lieth beneath, with the blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of thy father are strengthened with the blessings of his fathers: until the desire of the everlasting hills should come; may they be upon the head of Joseph, and upon the crown of the Nazarite among his brethren.
Gradual • Ps. 20, 4, 5
O Lord, Thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: Thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones. He asked life of Thee and Thou hast given him length of days for ever and ever. Alleluia, alleluia. Grant, O Joseph, that ever secure under ty patronage, we may pass our lives without guilt. Alleluia.
Gospel • Luke 3, 21-23
Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke
[John’s mission and preaching. Christ is baptized by him.]
At that time, it came to pass, when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also being baptized and praying, heaven was opened; And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape, as a dove upon him; and a voice came from heaven: Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. And Jesus himself was beginning about the age of thirty years; being (as it was supposed) the son of Joseph.
Offertory • Ps. 147, 12-13
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem, because He hath strengthened to bolts of thy gates: He hath blessed thy children within thee. (P. T. Alleluia, alleluia.)
Secret
Supported by the patronage of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, we ask Thy clemency, O Lord, to make our hearts despise all earthly things and with perfect charity love Thee, the true God. Who livest.
Communion • Matt. 1, 16
But Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus. Whom is called Christ. (P. T. Alleluia, alleluia.
Postcommunion
Refreshed at the fountain of divine blessing, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our God, as Thou dost make us to rejoice in the protection of blessed Joseph, so to make us also, by his merits and intercession, partakers of his heavenly glory. Through our Lord.