SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH; MARCH 19

The Holy Mother Church celebrates today, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast is greatly appreciated by the entire Church, most importantly to religious congregations devoted to St. Joseph (Josephites) esp. the Oblates of St. Joseph worldwide. Hence, this feast makes more meaning to me in particular as an Oblate of St. Joseph, for in a sense, it defines my vocation, charism and apostolate. May God continually bless and strengthen us all. Having listened to reflections during the days of the novena to st. Joseph, however, today we shall sing a short hymn to st. Joseph and recite/chant his litany, asking his intercession in our lives, families, homes, societies, countries, and the world at large. I implore you all to pay attention and meditate on the lyrics of the hymn and the litany.

HYMN
O blessed Saint Joseph, how
great was thy worth,
The one-chosen shadow of God upon earth,
Called Father of Jesus! Ah then, wilt thou be,
Sweet spouse of our Lady! A father to me?

For thou to the pilgrim art father and guide,
And Jesus and Mary felt safe by thy side;
Ah, blessed Saint Joseph, how
safe will I be,
Sweet spouse of our Lady! If thou wert with me!

LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Holy Trinity, one God. Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, . . .
Noble son of the House of David, . . .
Light of patriarchs, . . .
Husband of the Mother of God, . . .
Guardian of the Virgin, . . .
Foster father of the Son of God, . . .
Faithful guardian of Christ, . . .
Head of the holy family, . . .
Joseph, chaste and just, . . .
Joseph, prudent and brave, . . .
Joseph, obedient and loyal, . . .
Pattern of patience, . . .
Lover of poverty, . . .
Model of workers, . . .
Example to parents, . . .
Guardian of virgins, . . .
Pillar of family life, . . .
Comfort of the troubled, . . .
Hope of the sick, . . .
Patron of the dying, . . .
Terror of evil spirits, . . .
Protector of the Church, . . .

Lamb of God, you take away
the sins of the world. Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us.

V. God made him master of
his household.

R. And put him in charge of all that he owned.

Almighty God,
in your infinite wisdom and love
you chose Joseph to be the husband of Mary,
the mother of your Son.
As we enjoy his protection on earth,
may we have the help of his prayers in heaven.

We ask this through Christ
our Lord.

R. Amen.