S. Joseph OpificisS. Joseph the Worker

℣ O Lord, ✠ open my lips.

℟ And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

℣ O God, ✠ come to my assistance.

℟ Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Alleluia.

Ant. The King of kings, the Lord, who was pleased to be considered the son of a craftsman, * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

Ant. The King of kings, the Lord, who was pleased to be considered the son of a craftsman, * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

Come, let us exult in the Lord. Let us shout joyfully to God, our Savior. Let us anticipate his presence with confession, and let us sing joyfully to him with psalms.

Ant. The King of kings, the Lord, who was pleased to be considered the son of a craftsman, * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

For the Lord is a great God and a great King over all gods. For the Lord will not drive away his people. For in his hand are all the limits of the earth, and he beholds the heights of the mountains.

Ant. Come, let us adore, alleluia.

For the sea is his, and he made it, and his hands established the dry land. (kneel) Come, let us adore and fall prostrate before God, and let us weep before the Lord who made us. For he is the Lord our God, and we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Ant. The King of kings, the Lord, who was pleased to be considered the son of a craftsman, * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts: as in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness, where your fathers tempted me; they tested and saw my works.

Ant. Come, let us adore, alleluia.

For forty years, I was near to that generation, and I said: These have always strayed in heart. But they have not known my ways. To them I swore in my wrath: They shall not enter into my rest.

Ant. The King of kings, the Lord, who was pleased to be considered the son of a craftsman, * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Come, let us adore, alleluia.

Ant. The King of kings, the Lord, who was pleased to be considered the son of a craftsman, * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

Joseph, thou father, thou workman most holy,

Happy while hidden in Nazareth's shade

Hearts overflowing and voices raised high,

This night we praise thee.

Royally born, yet frugally living,

Quietly, equably thou bearest thy lot;

Toil worn, thy hands for love of thy blest ones,

Willingly labor.

Workman thou art, and mirror of workmen,

Many the lessons of life hast thou given,

Showing how toil, how the sweat of the workshop

Blessed becometh.

Look on the hungry and troubled with pity,

Rein thou the greedy, fomenters of strife

Proper the members of Christ's Mystic Body

With thy protection.

God, who art one and three-fold in being,

Father and Maker of all of the living,

Make us to imitate Joseph our father,

Living and dying. Amen.

Nocturn I

Ant. Man goes forth * to his work and to his labor until evening, alleluia.

Psalm 1 [1]

1:1 Blessed is the man who has not followed the counsel of the impious, † and has not remained in the way of sinners, * and has not sat in the chair of pestilence.

1:2 But his will is with the law of the Lord, * and he will meditate on his law, day and night.

1:3a And he will be like a tree that has been planted beside running waters, * which will provide its fruit in its time,

1:3b and its leaf will not fall away, * and all things whatsoever that he does will prosper.

1:4 Not so the impious, not so. * For they are like the dust that the wind casts along the face of the earth.

1:5 Therefore, the impious will not prevail again in judgment, * nor sinners in the council of the just.

1:6 For the Lord knows the way of the just. * And the path of the impious will pass away.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Psalm 2 [2]

2:1 Why have the Gentiles been seething, * and why have the people been pondering nonsense?

2:2 The kings of the earth have stood up, and the leaders have joined together as one, * against the Lord and against his Christ:

2:3 “Let us shatter their chains * and cast their yoke away from us.”

2:4 He who dwells in heaven will ridicule them, * and the Lord will mock them.

2:5 Then will he speak to them in his anger * and trouble them with his fury.

2:6 Yet I have been appointed king by him over Zion, his holy mountain, * preaching his precepts.

2:7 The Lord has said to me: * You are my son, this day have I begotten you.

2:8 Ask of me and I will give to you: the Gentiles for your inheritance, * and the ends of the earth for your possession.

2:9 You will rule them with an iron rod, * and you will shatter them like a potter’s vessel.

2:10 And now, O kings, understand. * Receive instruction, you who judge the earth.

2:11 Serve the Lord in fear, * and exult in him with trembling.

2:12 Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord might become angry, * and you would perish from the way of the just.

2:13 Though his wrath can flare up in a short time, * blessed are all those who trust in him.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Psalm 3 [3]

3:2 Lord, why have those who trouble me been multiplied? * Many rise up against me.

3:3 Many say to my soul, * “There is no salvation for him in his God.”

3:4 But you, Lord, are my supporter, * my glory, and the one who raises up my head.

3:5 I have cried out to the Lord with my voice, * and he has heard me from his holy mountain.

3:6 I have slept, and I have been stupefied. * But I awakened because the Lord has taken me up.

3:7 I will not fear the thousands of people surrounding me. * Rise up, Lord. Save me, my God.

3:8 For you have struck all those who oppose me without cause. * You have broken the teeth of sinners.

3:9 Salvation is of the Lord, * and your blessing is upon your people.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Man goes forth to his work and to his labor until evening, alleluia.

℣ Glory and model of workers, holy Joseph, alleluia.

℟ Whom the Son of God willed to obey, alleluia.

The Our Father is said silently as far as And lead us not into temptation:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name: 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 also forgive those who trespass against us:

℣ And lead us not into temptation:

℟ But deliver us from evil.

Absolution. Hear the prayers of your servants, Lord Jesus Christ, and have mercy on us: You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the eternal Father bless us with his everlasting blessing.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 1

From the Book of Genesis

Gen 1:27-28,31; 2:1-3

27 In the beginning, God created man to his own image; to the image of God he created him; male and female, he created them.

28 And God blessed them, and he said, “Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it.”

31 And God saw everything that he had made. And they were very good. And it became evening and morning, the sixth day.

1 And so the heavens and the earth were completed, with all their adornment.

2 And on the seventh day, God fulfilled his work, which he had made. And on the seventh day he rested from all his work, which he had accomplished.

3 And he blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. For in it, he had ceased from all his work: the work whereby God created whatever he should make.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Six days you shall labor and do all your works, but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord your God:

* You shall do no work on it, alleluia.

℣ For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and he rested on the seventh day.

℟ You shall do no work on it, alleluia.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the Only Begotten Son of God be pleased to bless and assist us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 2

Gen 2:7-9,15

7 And then the Lord God formed man from the clay of the earth, and he breathed into his face the breath of life, and man became a living soul.

8 Now the Lord God had planted a Paradise of enjoyment from the beginning. In it, he placed the man whom he had formed.

9 And from the soil the Lord God produced every tree that was beautiful to behold and pleasant to eat. And even the tree of life was in the midst of Paradise, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

15 Thus, the Lord God brought the man, and put him into the Paradise of enjoyment, so that it would be attended and preserved by him.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ The Lord God placed the man whom he had formed in the Paradise of enjoyment,

* so that he might tend it, alleluia.

℣ This was the condition of man from the beginning.

℟ so that he might tend it, alleluia.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the grace of the Holy Spirit enlighten our minds and hearts.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 3

Gen 3:17-19,23-24

17 To Adam, he said: “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree, from which I instructed you that you should not eat, cursed is the land that you work. In hardship shall you eat from it, all the days of your life.

18 Thorns and thistles shall it produce for you, and you shall eat the plants of the earth.

19 By the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, until you return to the earth from which you were taken. For dust you are, and unto dust you shall return.”

23 And so the Lord God sent him away from the Paradise of enjoyment, in order to work the earth from which he was taken.

24 And he cast out Adam. And in front of the Paradise of enjoyment, he placed the Cherubim with a flaming sword, turning together, to guard the way to the tree of life.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ After the sin, God cast the man out of the Paradise of enjoyment,

* that he might labor to work the earth, alleluia.

℣ And by the sweat of your face, God said, you shall eat bread.

℟ that he might labor to work the earth, alleluia.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ that he might labor to work the earth, alleluia.

Nocturn II

Ant. Jesus, * when he was thirty years of age, was thought to be the son of Joseph, alleluia.

Psalm 4 [4]

4:2a When I called upon him, the God of my justice heeded me. * In tribulation, you have enlarged me.

4:2b Have mercy on me, * and heed my prayer.

4:3 Sons of men, how long will you be dull in heart, * so that whatever you love is in vain, and whatever you seek is false?

4:4 And know this: the Lord has made wondrous his holy one. * The Lord will heed me when I cry out to him.

4:5 Be angry, and do not be willing to sin. † The things that you say in your hearts: * be sorry for them on your beds.

4:6 Offer the sacrifice of justice, † and hope in the Lord. * Many say, “Who reveals to us what is good?”

4:7 The light of your countenance, Lord, has been sealed upon us. * You have given joy to my heart.

4:8 By the fruit of their grain, wine, and oil, * they have been multiplied.

4:9 In peace itself, * I will sleep and I will rest.

4:10 For you, O Lord, * have established me singularly in hope.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Psalm 5 [5]

5:2 O Lord, listen closely to my words. * Understand my outcry.

5:3 Attend to the voice of my prayer, * my King and my God.

5:4 For to you, I will pray. * In the morning, Lord, you will hear my voice.

5:5 In the morning, I will stand before you, and I will see. * For you are not a God who wills iniquity.

5:6 And the malicious will not dwell close to you, * nor will the unjust endure before your eyes.

5:7a You hate all who work iniquity. * You will destroy all who speak a lie.

5:7b The bloody and deceitful man, the Lord will abominate. * (8a) But I am in the multitude of your mercy.

5:8b I will enter your house. * I will show adoration toward your holy temple, in your fear.

5:9 Lord, lead me in your justice. * Because of my enemies, direct my way in your sight.

5:10 For there is no truth in their mouth: * their heart is vain.

5:11a Their throat is an open sepulcher. † They have acted deceitfully with their tongues. * Judge them, O God.

5:11b Let them fall by their own intentions: † according to the multitude of their impiety, expel them. * For they have provoked you, O Lord.

5:12a But let all those who hope in you rejoice. * They will exult in eternity, and you will dwell in them.

5:12b And all those who love your name will glory in you. * (13a) For you will bless the just.

5:13b You have crowned us, O Lord, * as if with a shield of your good will.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Psalm 8 [6]

8:2a O Lord, our Lord, * how admirable is your name throughout all the earth!

8:2b For your magnificence is elevated * above the heavens.

8:3 Out of the mouths of babes and infants, you have perfected praise, because of your enemies, * so that you may destroy the enemy and the revenger.

8:4 For I will behold your heavens, the works of your fingers: * the moon and the stars, which you have founded.

8:5 What is man, that you are mindful of him, * or the son of man, that you visit him?

8:6 You reduced him to a little less than the Angels; † you have crowned him with glory and honor, * (7) and you have set him over the works of your hands.

8:8 You have subjected all things under his feet, * all sheep and oxen, and in addition: the beasts of the field,

8:9 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, * which pass through the paths of the sea.

8:10 O Lord, our Lord, * how admirable is your name throughout all the earth!

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Jesus, when he was thirty years of age, was thought to be the son of Joseph, alleluia.

℣ O great dignity of labor, alleluia.

℟ Which Christ has sanctified, alleluia.

The Our Father is said silently as far as And lead us not into temptation:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name: 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 also forgive those who trespass against us:

℣ And lead us not into temptation:

℟ But deliver us from evil.

Absolution. May his loving kindness and mercy assist us, he who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May God the almighty Father be gracious and merciful to us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 4

From the Acts of Pope Pius XII

The Church, the most provident Mother of all, bestows the greatest care on protecting and relieving workers, establishing and favoring their associations, which Pope Pius XII, the Supreme Pontiff, long ago wished to have been entrusted to the most powerful patronage of Saint Joseph. For Saint Joseph, since he was the reputed father of Christ, who was pleased to be called a craftsman and the son of a craftsman, through the closeness with which he was joined to Jesus, drew abundantly from that spirit by which labor is ennobled and elevated. In like manner, associations of workers of this kind must strive that Christ may always be present in their midst, in their members and in their families, and in every gathering of workers; since the chief end of these associations is to preserve and nourish Christian life in their members, to spread the Kingdom of God more widely, and especially among the fellow workers of the same workplace.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ You shall not commit fraud against your neighbor, nor oppress him by force;

* The wages of your hired servant shall not remain with you until morning, alleluia.

℣ For the laborer is worthy of his wages.

℟ The wages of your hired servant shall not remain with you until morning, alleluia.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 5

Of this solicitude of the Church for the body of workers, the same Pontiff gave new proof when, having seized the opportunity of a gathering of workers held at Rome on the first of May in the year nineteen hundred and fifty-five and addressing the vast multitude assembled in the square before the Basilica of Saint Peter, he warmly commended the instruction of workers. For in our times this claims a more prominent part: that workers, duly imbued with Christian doctrine, should shun the errors concerning the constitution of society and the economy that are spreading widely, and should come to know well the moral order established by God, which the Church sets forth and interprets, regarding the rights and duties of workers; and, having become sharers in the work to be done, they may labor effectively for its advancement. For Christ was the first in the world to proclaim and hand on to the Church those principles which remain unchangeable and most powerful for the resolution of these questions.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ You gave me the protection of your salvation and your right hand upheld me:

* My protector and my upholder, alleluia.

℣ I am your protector and your reward is exceeding great.

℟ My protector and my upholder, alleluia.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May God kindle the fire of his love in our hearts.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 6

So that the dignity of human labor and the principles that give it its worth might be more deeply implanted in minds, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, who might be a model and protector for every working community. For from his example those who exercise laborious crafts must learn in what manner and with what spirit they should fulfill their duties, so that, equally obedient to God's first precept, they may both subdue the earth and care for economic prosperity, and at the same time obtain the rewards of eternal life. Nor will the watchful guardian of the Nazareth Family fail to protect with his care those who share his craft and labor, and to bless their homes from heaven. The Supreme Pontiff most fittingly ordered this feast to be celebrated on the first of May, the day which workers' assemblies have claimed for themselves; for from this shines forth the hope that this day, dedicated to Saint Joseph the Worker, may henceforth not sharpen hatreds and kindle quarrels, but, returning each year, may invite all to perfect more and more what still remains wanting for civic peace, and indeed may also stimulate those who govern the state to diligently complete what the right order of human society demands.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ I am poor and needy;

* The Lord is solicitous for me, alleluia.

℣ You shall eat the labor of your hands, and it shall be well with you, alleluia.

℟ The Lord is solicitous for me, alleluia.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ The Lord is solicitous for me, alleluia.

Nocturn III

Ant. Is not this * the carpenter's son? Is not this the son of Joseph? Alleluia.

Psalm 14 [7]

14:1 O Lord, who will dwell in your tabernacle? * Or who will rest on your holy mountain?

14:2 He who walks without blemish * and who works justice.

14:3a He who speaks the truth in his heart, * who has not acted deceitfully with his tongue,

14:3b and has not done evil to his neighbor, * and has not taken up a reproach against his neighbors.

14:4a In his sight, the malicious one has been reduced to nothing, * but he glorifies those who fear the Lord.

14:4b He who swears to his neighbor and does not deceive. * (5a) He who has not given his money in usury, nor accepted bribes against the innocent.

14:5b He who does these things * will be undisturbed for eternity.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Psalm 20 [8]

20:2 In your virtue, Lord, the king will rejoice, * and over your salvation, he will exult exceedingly.

20:3 You have granted him the desire of his heart, * and you have not cheated him of the wish of his lips.

20:4 For you have gone ahead of him with blessings of sweetness. * You have placed a crown of precious stones on his head.

20:5 He petitioned you for life, * and you have granted him length of days, in the present time, and forever and ever.

20:6 Great is his glory in your salvation. * Glory and great adornment, you will lay upon him.

20:7 For you will give him as a blessing forever and ever. * You will make him rejoice with gladness in your presence.

20:8 Because the king hopes in the Lord, * and in the mercy of the Most High, he will not be disturbed.

20:9 May your hand be found by all your enemies. * May your right hand discover all those who hate you.

20:10 You will make them like an oven of fire, in the time of your presence. * The Lord will stir them up with his wrath, and fire will devour them.

20:11 You will destroy their fruit from the earth * and their offspring from the sons of men.

20:12 For they have turned evils upon you; * they have devised plans, which they have not been able to accomplish.

20:13 For you will make them turn their back; * with your remnants, you will prepare their countenance.

20:14 Be exalted, Lord, by your own power. * We will play music and sing psalms to your virtues.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Psalm 23 [9]

23:1 The earth and all its fullness belong to the Lord: * the whole world and all that dwells in it.

23:2 For he has founded it upon the seas, * and he has prepared it upon the rivers.

23:3 Who will ascend to the mountain of the Lord? * And who will stand in his holy place?

23:4 The innocent of hands and the clean of heart, * who has not received his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbor.

23:5 He will receive a blessing from the Lord, * and mercy from God, his Savior.

23:6 This is the generation that seeks him, * that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

23:7 Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. * And the King of Glory shall enter.

23:8 Who is this King of Glory? * The Lord who is strong and powerful; the Lord powerful in battle.

23:9 Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. * And the King of Glory shall enter.

23:10 Who is this King of Glory? * The Lord of virtue. He himself is the King of Glory.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not this the son of Joseph? Alleluia.

℣ The Word of God, through whom all things were made, alleluia.

℟ Was pleased to labor with his own hands, alleluia.

The Our Father is said silently as far as And lead us not into temptation:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name: 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 also forgive those who trespass against us:

℣ And lead us not into temptation:

℟ But deliver us from evil.

Absolution. May the almighty and merciful Lord absolve us from the bonds of our sins.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the evangelical reading be our salvation and protection.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 7

A Reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Matthew 13:54-58

At that time: arriving in his own country, he taught them in their synagogues, so much so that they wondered and said: “How can such wisdom and power be with this one? Is this not the son of a workman?” And so forth.

A Homily of Saint Albert the Great, Bishop

On the Gospel of Luke, chapter 4

On the Sabbath he entered the synagogue, where all were gathered with the intention of listening. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon him. Yet some did this out of devotion, some out of curiosity, and some watched him in order to catch him in his speech. And the scribes and Pharisees said to the people, who had already conceived faith and devotion: "Is this not the son of Joseph?" The pointing out of someone whom they did not see fit to name is a mark of contempt. The son of Joseph: here the Evangelist says less than what he knew had been put more fully by both Matthew and Mark: "Is this not the son of a workman? Is this not the workman, the son of Mary?" All these things were said contemptuously.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Jesus was beginning to be about thirty years of age,

* Who was thought to be the son of Joseph, alleluia.

℣ For Joseph was a carpenter, the spouse of the Virgin Mary, of whom Christ was born.

℟ Who was thought to be the son of Joseph, alleluia.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May he whose feast we celebrate intercede for us to the Lord.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 8

Joseph is said to have been a carpenter, seeking his livelihood by craft and the work of his hands, and not eating his bread in idleness and luxury as the scribes and Pharisees did. Mary also sought her livelihood by the distaff and the work of her hands. And the sense is: This man is of despised and poorest birth; he cannot be Christ the Lord, whom God has anointed. And therefore he is not to be believed in, so rustic and so mean is he.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ From where has this wisdom and these powers come to him?

* Is this not the son of a workman? Alleluia.

℣ So they were saying in the city of Nazareth.

℟ Is this not the son of a workman? Alleluia.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ Is this not the son of a workman? Alleluia.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the King of Angels lead us to the company of the citizens on high.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 9

The Lord, however, was a craftsman; because the prophet said of him: You have made the dawn and the sun. A similar expression of contempt appears in the book of Kings, where, when Saul was promoted to his kingdom, they said: What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? A small word, then, carries great contempt. The Lord, however, said: Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own homeland. Now the Lord here calls himself a prophet. For he who by his divinity knows all things receives absolutely no revelation of inspiration. By his homeland here he strictly designates the place of his conception and upbringing. But among his fellow-villagers, who were stirred by envy against him, he was not accepted.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

Te Deum

O God, we praise you; * O Lord, we acclaim you.

Eternal Father, * all the earth reveres you.

To you all the Angels, * the heavens and all the Powers of heaven:

To you the Cherubim and Seraphim * cry out in endless praise:

(A bow is made) Holy, Holy, Holy * Lord God of hosts;

Heaven and earth are filled * with the majesty of your glory.

The glorious choir of Apostles * sings to you,

the noble company of Prophets * praises you,

the white-robed army of Martyrs * glorifies you.

Holy Church throughout the earth * proclaims you,

the Father * of boundless majesty;

your true and only Son, * worthy of adoration;

and the Holy Spirit, * the Paraclete.

You, O Christ, * are the King of glory.

You are * the Father's everlasting Son.

(A bow is made) When you resolved to save the human race, * you did not spurn the Virgin's womb.

You overcame the sting of death * and opened the Kingdom of Heaven to those who put their faith in you.

You are seated at the right hand of God * in the glory of the Father.

We believe you are the Judge * who is to come.

(The following verse is said kneeling) And so we beg you, help your servants, * redeemed by your most precious blood.

Number them * among your Saints in eternal glory.

Save your people, Lord, * and bless your inheritance.

Shepherd them * and raise them to eternal life.

Day by day * we bless you,

(A bow is made, according to custom) and we praise your name * for endless ages evermore.

Be gracious, Lord, on this day, * and keep us from all sin.

Have mercy on us, O Lord, * have mercy.

May your mercy be upon us, Lord, * as we place our trust in you.

In you, O Lord, I rest my hope: * let me never be put to shame.

The rest is omitted unless Lauds is said separately.

℣ O Lord, hear my prayer.

℟ And let my cry come before you.

Let us pray.

O God, Creator of all things, who have ordained the law of labor for the human race: mercifully grant that, following the example and under the patronage of Saint Joseph, we may accomplish the works you command and attain the rewards you promise.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son: who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ O Lord, hear my prayer.

℟ And let my cry come before you.

℣ Let us bless the Lord.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℣ May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

℟ Amen.