April 28, 2004
Wednesday
vol 15, no. 119

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Foster-father of Jesus Christ

White Vestments

Missa "Adjutor"

        The Church celebrates on the third Wednesday after Easter the Solemnity of St. Joseph - the Wednesday after Good Shepherd Sunday. The Epistle speaks to us of Joseph who in the Old Testament is a figure of St. Joseph. The dying Jacob prophesies that his son Joseph shall be the pastor and strength of Israel and that the Almighty shall shower blessing over the entire land of Egypt, so that the salvation of all depended upon him. The whole church has recourse to St. Joseph with confidence.

        The Gospel, Collect and Communion, explaining the connection between the Heavenly Trinity and the Holy Family, this trinity on earth, show forth the power of St. Joseph. Jesus is at the same time Son of God and Son of man. Mary is the spouse of the Holy Ghost, and it is the will of God the Father that St. Joseph should be considered father of Christ and that he should exercise paternal rights over Him (Preface).

        Lastly, the Introit, Collects, Alleluia and Offertory show us St. Joseph as the guardian of the new Jerusalem, which is the Church, to watch over her in the midst of all her tribulations. Full of confidence in the patronage of St. Joseph, let us honor his title of Protector on earth so as to deserve his help from Heaven (Collect). He is Patron of the Universal Church.

        This feast is normally the feast of Saint Paul of the Cross, who was born at Ovada, and founded the Congregation of the Passionists, amid the solitary rocks of Monte Argentaro. He felt that in order to form apostles and missionaries it is necessary to have retirement from the world, seclusion, spiritual recollection, strict poverty, and austere penance. He preached everywhere the mystery of the Cross; the Passionists make a vow to propagate the memory of Our Savior's passion. He died in Rome October 18, 1775.

        It is also the feast of Saint Vitalis, a martyr of Ravenna; the Emperor Justinian erected a splendid basilica in his honor. He was martyred by being buried alive up to his waist and then stoned. Both these feasts are commemorated in the Collect, Secret and Postcommunion prayers in the Proper of today's Mass for the Solemnity of St. Joseph.

      Sources: Saint Andrew Daily Missal and the Marian Missal , 1945


Missa "Adjutor"
    Go to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS
    INTROIT: Psalm 32: 20-21


    Adjutor, et protector noster est Dominus: in eo laetabitur cor nostrum, et in nomine sancto ejus speravimus, alleluja, alleluja. (Ps. 79: 2) Qui regis Israel, intende : qui deducis, velut ovem, Joseph. v. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancti sicut erat in principio et nunc, et semper, et saecula saeculorum. Amen.
    Repeat Adjutor...

    The Lord is our helper and protector : in Him our Heart shall rejoice, and in His holy name we have trusted, alleluia, alleluia. Ps. Give ear, O Thou that rulest Israel : Thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Repeat In the midst of the Church...
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    COLLECT


    Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

    Oremus. Deus, Qui ineffabile providentia beatum Joseph sanctissimae Genitricis Tuae Sponsum eligere dignatus es: praesta, quaesumus: ut quem protectorem veneramur in terris, intercessorem habere mereamur in Caelis Qui vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Second Collect in commemoration of St. Paul of the Cross
    Dómine Jesu Christe, qui ad mystérium crucis prædicándum, sanctum Paulum singulári caritáte donásti, et per eum novam in Ecclésia famíliam floréscere voluísti: ipsíus nobis intercessióne concéde; ut passiónem tuam júgiter recoléntes in terris, ejúsdem fructum cón-sequi mereámur in cœlis. Qui vivis et regnas, cum Deo Patre in unitáte Spíritu Sancti, Deus
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Third Collect in commemoration of St. Vitalis, Martyr
    Præsta quæsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut, qui beáti Vitalis, Mártyris tui, natalítia cólimus, intercessióne ejus, in tui nóminis amóre roborémur. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.
    The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit.

    Let us pray. O God, Who in Thine unspeakable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph for Thy most holy Mother's Spouse : grant, we beseech beseech Thee, O Lord, that we who revere him as our protector upon earth, may become worthy to have him for our intercessor in Heaven. Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    Second Collect in commemoration of St. Paul of the Cross
    O Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst endow St. Paul with exceeding charity to preach the mystery of the Cross, and didst will that through him a new family should spring up in Thy Church, grant us, by his intercession, that, constantly venerating Thy passion on earth, we may be worthy to partake of its fruits in heaven. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    Third Collect in commemoration of St. Vitalis, Martyr Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we, who venerate the birthday of blessed Vitalis, Thy martyr, may, through his intercession, be strengthened in the love of Thy name. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    EPISTLE: Ecclesiasticus 14: 1-6


    Lectio libri Geneisi. Filius accrescens Joseph, filius accrescens, et decorus aspectu filiae discurrunt super muuurum. Sed espectaverunt eum, et jurgati sunt, invideruntque illi habentes jacula. Sedit in forti arcus ejus, et dissoluta sunt vincula brachiorum, et manuum illius per manus potentis Jacob : inde pastor egressus est, lapis Israel. Deus patris tui erit adjutor tuus, et Omnipotens benedicet tibi benedictionibut Caeli desuper benedictionibus abyssi jacendtis deorsum, benedictionibus uberum et vulvae. Benedictiones patris tui comfortatae sunt benedictionibus patrum ejus, donec veniret desiderium collium aeternorum : fiant in capite Joseph, et in vertice Nazaraeti inter fratres suos. Deo Gratias.

    Lesson from the Book of Genesis. Joseph was 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 quarreled 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 the thy father are strengthened until the blessings of his fathers: until the desire of the everlasting hills shall come; may they be upon the head of Joseph, and upon the crown of the Nazarite among his brethren. Thanks be to God.

    ALLELUIA:


    Alleluja, alleluja. V. De quacumque tribulatione clavaverint ad me, exaudiam eos, et ero protector eorum semper. Alleluja. V. Fac nos innocuam, Joseph, decurrere vitam : sitque tuo semper tutua patrocinio. Alleluja.

    Alleluia, alleluia. V. In whatever tribulation they shall cry to Me, I will hear them and be their protector always. Alleluia. V. Obtain for us, Joseph, grace to lead an innocent life : and may our life ever be shielded by thy patronage. Alleluia.

    GOSPEL:   Luke 3: 21-23


    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
    Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam
    R.Gloria tibi, Domine

    In illo tempore : Factum est autem cum baptizaretur omnis populus, et Jesu batizato, et orante, apertum est Caelum: et descendit Spiritus Sanctus corporali specie sicut columba in ipsum : et vox de Caelo facta est : Tu es Filius Meus dilectus, in Te complacui Mihi. Et ipse Jesus erat incipiens quasi annorum triginta, ut putabatur, filius Joseph.

    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.
    The continuation of the holy Gospel according to Luke.
    R. Glory to Thee, O Lord

    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.
    Praise be to Christ

    Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE OFFERTORY
    OFFERTORY:    Psalm 88: 25


    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

    Lauda, Jerusalem, Dominum : quoniam confortavit seras portarum tuarum: benedixit filiis tuis in te, alleuia, alleluia.

    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.

    Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem, because He hath strengthened the bolts of thy gates: He hath blessed thy children within thee, alleluia, alleluia.
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    SECRET


    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

    Sanctissimae Genitricis Tuae Sponsi patrocinio suffulti, rogamus, Domine, clementiam Tuam; ut corda nostra facias terrena cuncta despicere, ac Te verum Deum perfecta caritate diligere : Qui vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Second Secret in commemoration of St. Paul of the Cross
    Cæléstem nobis, Dómine, præbeant mystéria hæc passiónis et mortis tuæ fervórem: quo sanctus Paulus, ea offeréndo, corpus suum hóstiam vivéntem, sanctam, tibique placéntem exhibuit: Qui vivis et regnas, cum Deo Patre in unitate Spíritu Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Third Secret in commemoration of St. Vitalis, Martyr
    Muniéribus nostris, quæsumus, Dómine, precibúsque suscéntis: et cœléstibus nos munda mystériis, et cleménter exáudi. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.
    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.

    Supported by the patronage of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, we beseech Thy clemency, O Lord : that Thou wouldst make our hearts despise all earthly things, and love Thee, the true God with perfect charity : Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    Second Secret in commemoration of St. Paul of the Cross
    May these mysteries of Thy passion and death, O Lord, obtain for us that heav-enly fervor by which St. Paul, when he offered the same, presented his own body as a liv-ing sacrifice, holy and pleasing unto Thee. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    Third Secret in commemoration of St. Vitalis, Martyr
    Accept, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our offerings and prayers; both cleanse us by these heavenly mysteries and graciously hear us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    PREFACE   Preface of Saint Joseph


    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
    Sursum corda.
    R.Habemus ad Dominum.
    Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
    R. Dignum et justum est.

    Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere : Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus : Et te in (Festivitate) beati Joseph debitis magnificare praeconiis, benedicere et praedicare. Qui et vir justus, a et Deiparae Virgini Sponsus est datus : et fideles servus ac prudens, super Familiam tuam est constitutus : ut Unigenitum tuum, Sancti Spiritus obumbratione conceptum, paterna vice custodiret, Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quem magestatem tuam laudant angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Caeli, caelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim, social exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti jubeas, deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes:
    SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS...

    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.
    Lift up your hearts.
    R.We have lifted them up to the Lord.
    Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
    R. It is meet and just.

    It is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty and everlasting God; and magnify Thee with due praise, bless and proclaim Thee blessed Joseph; who, as a just man, was given by Thee to be the spouse of the Virgin Mother of God, and as a faithful and prudent servant, was set over Thy family, that with fatherly care he might guard Thine only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, conceived by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost. Through whom the angels praise Thy majesty, the dominions worship it, the powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts with the blessed seraphim join together in celebrating their joy. With these we pray Thee join our voices also, while saying with lowly praise:
    HOLY, HOLY, HOLY...

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    COMMUNION:


    Jacob autem genuit Joseph virum Mariae, de qua natus est Jesus, Qui vocatur Christus, alleluja, alleluja.

    But Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, Who is called Christ, alleluia, alleluia.


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    POSTCOMMUNION


    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
    Oremus.
    Divini muneris fonte refecti, quaesumus, Domine Deus noster : ut sicut nos facis beati Joseph protectione gaudere : ita ejus meritis et intercessione, Caelestis gloriae facias esse participes. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Second Postcommunion in commemoration of St. Paul of the Cross
    Súmpsimus, Dómine, divi-num sacraméntum, imménsæ caritátis tuæ memoriále perpétuum: tríbue, quæumus; ut sancti Pauli méritis, et imitatióne, aquam de fóntibus tuis hauriámus in vitam ætérnam saliéntem, et tuam sacratissimam passiónem córdibus nostris impréssam móribus et vita teneámus: Qui vivis et regnas, cum Deo Patre in unitate Spíritu Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Third Postcommunion in commemoration of St. Vitalis, Martyr
    Da, Quæsumus, Dómine Deus noster: ut, sicut tuórum commemoratióne sanctórum, temporáli gratulámur officio; ita perpétuo lætémur aspéctu. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.
    Let us pray.
    We who have been refreshed at the fountain of divine blessing, beseech Thee, O Lord our God : that as Thou dost gladden us by the protection of blessed Joseph, so by his merits and intercession Thou wouldst make us partakers of everlasting glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    For ever and ever.
    R. Amen.

    Second Postcommunion in commemoration of St. Paul of the Cross
    We have received, O Lord, Thy divine sacrament the perpetual memorial of Thine infinite love; grant, we beseech Thee, that, by the merits of St. Paul and by imitating him, we may draw from Thy fountains the water that gusheth out unto life eternal, and may by our life and ac-tions bear Thy sacred passion deep graven upon our hearts. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
    For ever and ever.
    R. Amen.

    Third Postcommunion in commemoration of St. Vitalis, Martyr
    Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our God, that we, who in this life joyfully assist in the commemoration of Thy saints, may hereafter rejoice in beholding them forever in Heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    For ever and ever.
    R. Amen.

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    Daily Proper of the Mass for April 28