Little Office of Saint Joseph

AT MATINS. HAIL, glory of the patriarchs, steward of God's holy Church, who didst preserve the Bread of life and the Wheat of the elect. V. Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips, R. And my mouth shall announce Thy praise. V. Incline unto mine aid, O God! R. O Lord, make haste to help me. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Hymn. MIGHTY Joseph, son of David! High and glorious is thy state- Of Our Lord the foster-father, Mary's spouse immaculate. The Almighty's faithful servant, Of the Holy Family Head and father. Oh! I pray thee, Be a father unto me. Ant. He made him master of His house, and ruler over all His possessions. (Psalm civ.) V. Pray for us, most blessed Joseph, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. MAY we, O Lord, we beseech Thee, be assisted by the merits of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, that what of ourselves we can not possibly obtain, may through his intercession be granted to us by Thee, Who livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen. V. O Lord, hear my prayer, R. And let my cry come unto Thee. V. Let us bless the Lord. R. Thanks be to God. V. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. R. Amen. AT PRIME. HAIL, glory of the patriarchs, steward of God's holy Church, who didst preserve the Bread of life and the Wheat of the elect. V. Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips, R. And my mouth shall announce Thy praise. V. Incline unto mine aid, O God! R. O Lord, make haste to help me. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, R. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Hymn. SORELY was thy bosom troubled Till the mystery was revealed Which the Lord had wrought in Mary, Who in patience all concealed. But an angel soon from heaven Bids thy loving doubts to cease: So may every care and trial Turn for me to joy and peace. Ant. Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy spouse, for what is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. V. Pray for us, most blessed Joseph, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. MAY we, O Lord, we beseech Thee, be assisted by the merits of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, that what of ourselves we can not possibly obtain, may through his intercession be granted to us by Thee, Who livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen. V. O Lord, hear my prayer, R. And let my cry come unto Thee. V. Let us bless the Lord. R. Thanks be to God. V. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. R. Amen. AT TIERCE. HAIL, glory of the patriarchs, steward of God's holy Church, who didst preserve the Bread of life and the Wheat of the elect. V. Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips, R. And my mouth shall announce Thy praise V. Incline unto mine aid, O God! R. O Lord, make haste to help me. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Hymn. WITH the Virgin, young and tender, In the winter-time forlorn, Thou to Bethlehem didst journey, That Our Lord might there be born. As thy God thou didst adore Him, While He in the manger lay, Now is He in heaven exalted — Turn to Him for us and pray! Ant. Joseph went up out of Galilee from Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child. V. Pray for us, most blessed Joseph, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. MAY we, O Lord, we beseech Thee, be assisted by the merits of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, that what of ourselves we can not possibly obtain, may through his intercession be granted to us by Thee, Who livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen. V. O Lord, hear my prayer, R. And let my cry come unto Thee. V. Let us bless the Lord. R. Thanks be to God. V. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. R. Amen. AT SEXT. HAIL, glory of the patriarchs, steward of God's holy Church, who didst preserve the Bread of life and the Wheat of the elect. V. Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips, R. And my mouth shall announce Thy praise. V. Incline unto mine aid, O God! R. O Lord, make haste to help me. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Hymn. FLEEING at the angel's warning, Far from Herod's fury wild, Long in Egypt didst thou tarry With the Virgin and the Child. By thy toil, and pain, and sadness, In that exile dark and drear, Help me in the cares and sorrows Which may be my portion here. Ant. Arise and take the Child and His Mother, and fly into Egypt, and be there until I shall tell thee; for it will come to pass that Herod will seek the Child to destroy Him. (Matt. ii. 13.) V. Pray for us, most blessed Joseph, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. MAY we, O Lord, we beseech Thee, be assisted by the merits of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, that what of ourselves we can not possibly obtain, may through his intercession be granted to us by Thee, Who livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen. V. O Lord, hear my prayer, R. And let my cry come unto Thee. V. Let us bless the Lord. R. Thanks be to God. V. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. R. Amen. AT NONE. HAIL, glory of the patriarchs, steward of God's holy Church, who didst preserve the Bread of life and the Wheat of the elect. V. Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips, R. And my mouth shall announce Thy praise. V. Incline unto mine aid, O God! R. O Lord, make haste to help me. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Hymn. HOME from Egypt's land returning Thou wouldst rest in Galilee, But to Nazareth art bidden, That the Child secure may be. Souls retiring, sweet, and humble, Thou dost still for Jesus seek: That my heart may be His garden, Make it humble, pure, and meek. Ant. Who arose, and took the Child and His Mother and came into the land of Israel . . . and he dwelt in a city which is called Nazareth. (Matt. ii. 23.) V. Pray for us, most blessed Joseph, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. MAY we, O Lord, we beseech Thee, be assisted by the merits of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, that what of ourselves we can not possibly obtain, may through his intercession be granted to us by Thee, Who livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen. V. O Lord, hear my prayer, R. And let my cry come unto Thee. V. Let us bless the Lord. R. Thanks be to God. V. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace R. Amen. AT VESPERS. HAIL, glory of the patriarchs, steward of God's holy Church, who didst preserve the Bread of life and the Wheat of the elect. V. Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips, R. And my mouth shall announce Thy praise. V. Incline unto mine aid, O God! R. O Lord, make haste to help me. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Hymn. THOU didst search with loving anguish For the little Jesus lost; But, in finding Him, what rapture, Purchased at that sorrow's cost! Thee, my light, my life, my Jesus, May I never lose by sin! May my heart be pure and simple, So that Thou may'st rest therein. Ant. Son, why hast Thou done so to us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing. (Luke ii. 48.) V. Pray for us, most blessed Joseph, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. MAY we, O Lord, we beseech Thee, be assisted by the merits of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, that what of ourselves we can not possibly obtain, may through his intercession be granted to us by Thee, Who livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen. V. O Lord, hear my prayer, R. And let my cry come unto Thee. V. Let us bless the Lord. R. Thanks be to God. V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen. AT COMPLINE. HAIL, glory of the patriarchs, steward of God's holy Church, who didst preserve the Bread of life and the Wheat of the elect. V. Convert us, O Lord, our salvation, R. And avert Thine anger from us. V. Incline unto mine aid, O God! R. O Lord, make haste to help me. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Hymn. JESUS, Mary, hung above thee, On that sad, yet happy day, When, with their fond arms around thee, Passed thy gentle soul away. Oh! when death shall come to take me, All its terrors I'll defy, If, with Jesus and with Mary, Thou, dear Joseph, wilt be nigh. Ant. In peace in the self-same I will sleep, and I will rest, for Thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope. (Psalm iv. 9.) V. Pray for us, most blessed Joseph, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. MAY we, O Lord, we beseech Thee, be assisted by the merits of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, that what of ourselves we can not possibly obtain, may through his intercession be granted to us by Thee, who livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen. V. O Lord, hear my prayer, R. And let my cry come unto Thee. V. Let us bless the Lord. R. Thanks be to God. V. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. R. Amen. COMMENDATION. THUS, O glorious saint, my homage I, thy grateful client, pay. Hear my prayer and smile upon me, Guide and guard me on my way. May I, 'neath thy kind protection, Safely reach my journey's close, And with thee in heaven's bright palace Through eternity repose!

Ad Matutinum Salve Patriarcharum decus, et Ecclesiae sanctae Dei Oeconome, cui panem vitae et frumentum Electorum conservasti. V. Domine labia mea aperies. R. Et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam. V. Deus in adjutorium meum intende. R. Domine ad adjuvandum me festina. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Alleluia. (vel) Laus tibi, Domine, Rex aeternae gloriae. Hymnus. Magne Joseph, Fili David, Custos date Virgini, Quem et Virgo nuncupavit Patrem Christi Domini. Qui fidelis servus Dei Datus es familiae, Precor velis curam mei, Tanquam Pater gerere. Ant. Constituit eum Dominum domus suae, et Principem omnis possessionis suae. (Ps. 104.) V. Ora pro nobis beatissime Joseph. R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. Oremus. Sanctissimae Genitricis tuae Sponsi, quaesumus Domine, meritis adjuvemur: ut quod possibilitas nostra non obtinet, ejus nobis intercessione donetur. Qui vivis et regnas Deus in saecula saeculorum. Amen. V. Domine exaudi orationem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. V. Benedicamus Domino. R. Deo gratias. V. Fidelium animae per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace. R. Amen. Ad Primam Salve Patriarcharum decus, et Ecclesiae sanctae Dei Oeconome, cui panem vitae et frumentum Electorum conservasti. V. Deus in adjutorium meum intende. R. Domine ad adjuvandum me festina. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Alleluia. (vel) Laus tibi, Domine, Rex aeternae gloriae. Hymnus. Cum ferentem castam Matrem Conspexisses uterum, Et nescires tamen Patrem, Cor gerebas anxium; Sed de coelo mox instructus, Posuisti dubium. Fac ut omnis meus luctus Transeat in gaudium. Ant. Joseph fili David, noli timere accipere Mariam Conjugem tuam: quod enim in ea natum est, de Spiritu sancto est. (Matt. 1.20.) V. Ora pro nobis beatissime Joseph. R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. Oremus. Sanctissimae Genitricis tuae Sponsi, quaesumus Domine, meritis adjuvemur: ut quod possibilitas nostra non obtinet, ejus nobis intercessione donetur. Qui vivis et regnas Deus in saecula saeculorum. Amen. V. Domine exaudi orationem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. V. Benedicamus Domino. R. Deo gratias. V. Fidelium animae per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace. R. Amen. Ad Tertiam Salve Patriarcharum decus, et Ecclesiae sanctae Dei Oeconome, cui panem vitae et frumentum Electorum conservasti. V. Deus in adjutorium meum intende. R. Domine ad adjuvandum me festina. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Alleluia. (vel) Laus tibi, Domine, Rex aeternae gloriae. Hymnus. Dum in Bethlem profecturus, Pergeres cum Virgine, Deus nobis par futurus, Natus est in tempore, Quem in foeno collocatum, Coluisti gnaviter; Nunc in coelo elevatum, Ora pro me jugiter. Ant. Ascendit Joseph a Galilaea de Nazareth, in Judaeam in civitatem David, quae vocatur Bethlehem, cum Maria desponsata sibi uxore praegnante. (Luc. 2.4.) V. Ora pro nobis beatissime Joseph. R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. Oremus. Sanctissimae Genitricis tuae Sponsi, quaesumus Domine, meritis adjuvemur: ut quod possibilitas nostra non obtinet, ejus nobis intercessione donetur. Qui vivis et regnas Deus in saecula saeculorum. Amen. V. Domine exaudi orationem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. V. Benedicamus Domino. R. Deo gratias. V. Fidelium animae per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace. R. Amen. Ad Sextam Salve Patriarcharum decus, et Ecclesiae sanctae Dei Oeconome, cui panem vitae et frumentum Electorum conservasti. V. Deus in adjutorium meum intende. R. Domine ad adjuvandum me festina. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Alleluia. (vel) Laus tibi, Domine, Rex aeternae gloriae. Hymnus. Vim Herodis evasisti Monitus ab Angelo, In Aegyptum cum duxisti Virginem cum parvulo. Per moerorem, quem tulisti Isto in exilio, Cum gravabor hora tristi, Mihi sis auxilio. Ant. Surge, et accipe puerum et Matrem ejus, et fuge in Aegyptum, et esto ibi, usque dum dicam tibi; futurum est enim, ut Herodes quaerat puerum ad perdendum eum. (Matth. 2.) V. Ora pro nobis beatissime Joseph. R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. Oremus. Sanctissimae Genitricis tuae Sponsi, quaesumus Domine, meritis adjuvemur: ut quod possibilitas nostra non obtinet, ejus nobis intercessione donetur. Qui vivis et regnas Deus in saecula saeculorum. Amen. V. Domine exaudi orationem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. V. Benedicamus Domino. R. Deo gratias. V. Fidelium animae per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace. R. Amen. Ad Nonam Salve Patriarcharum decus, et Ecclesiae sanctae Dei Oeconome, cui panem vitae et frumentum Electorum conservasti. V. Deus in adjutorium meum intende. R. Domine ad adjuvandum me festina. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Alleluia. (vel) Laus tibi, Domine, Rex aeternae gloriae. Hymnus. Ex Aegypto cum defessus, Galilaeam peteres; Es in Nazareth digressus, Ut securus degeres. In florentis hortum mentis Amas Jesum ducere: Da, florescat et mitescat, Hortus meae animae. Ant. Et consurgens ex Aegypto, accepit puerum et Matrem ejus, et venit in terram Israel, et habitavit in civitate, quae vocatur Nazareth. (Matth. 2.) V. Ora pro nobis beatissime Joseph. R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. Oremus. Sanctissimae Genitricis tuae Sponsi, quaesumus Domine, meritis adjuvemur: ut quod possibilitas nostra non obtinet, ejus nobis intercessione donetur. Qui vivis et regnas Deus in saecula saeculorum. Amen. V. Domine exaudi orationem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. V. Benedicamus Domino. R. Deo gratias. V. Fidelium animae per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace. R. Amen. Ad Vesperas Salve Patriarcharum decus, et Ecclesiae sanctae Dei Oeconome, cui panem vitae et frumentum Electorum conservasti. V. Deus in adjutorium meum intende. R. Domine ad adjuvandum me festina. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Alleluia. (vel) Laus tibi, Domine, Rex aeternae gloriae. Hymnus. Quam dolebas, cum quaerebas Duodennem Jesulum. Sed inventus, et retentus Auxit ille gaudium. Jesum, Lumen oculorum, Fac me nunquam perdere: Semper puritate morum Menti adsit integrae. Ant. Fili, quid fecisti nobis sic? ecce Pater tuus et ego dolentes quaerebamus te. (Luc. 2.) V. Ora pro nobis beatissime Joseph. R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. Oremus. Sanctissimae Genitricis tuae Sponsi, quaesumus Domine, meritis adjuvemur: ut quod possibilitas nostra non obtinet, ejus nobis intercessione donetur. Qui vivis et regnas Deus in saecula saeculorum. Amen. V. Domine exaudi orationem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. V. Benedicamus Domino. R. Deo gratias. V. Fidelium animae per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace. R. Amen. Ad Completorium Salve Patriarcharum decus, et Ecclesiae sanctae Dei Oeconome, cui panem vitae et frumentum Electorum conservasti. V. Converte nos Deus salutaris noster. R. Et averte iram tuam a nobis. V. Deus in adjutorium meum intende. R. Domine ad adjuvandum me festina. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Alleluia. (vel) Laus tibi, Domine, Rex aeternae gloriae. Hymnus. Inter Jesu et Mariae Manus integerrimas, Spiritum emittis pie Hinc ad sedes superas. Eja Jesu et Mariae Te conjunge tertium, Quando me suprema die Mors citabit anxium. Ant. In pace in idipsum dormiam et requiescam: quoniam tu Domine, singulariter in spe constituisti me. (Psal. 4.9.) V. Ora pro nobis beatissime Joseph. R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. Oremus. Sanctissimae Genitricis tuae Sponsi, quaesumus Domine, meritis adjuvemur: ut quod possibilitas nostra non obtinet, ejus nobis intercessione donetur. Qui vivis et regnas Deus in saecula saeculorum. Amen. V. Domine exaudi orationem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. V. Benedicamus Domino. R. Deo gratias. V. Fidelium animae per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace. R. Amen. Commendatio Cliens tibi dedicatus Solvit hoc Officium: Ejus votis tu vocatus Redde beneficium; Ut post hujus vitae metam, Tuo patrocinio, Tecum vivam vitam laetam Coeli in palatio. Amen.