Traditional Propers for the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker
 

Vestments:  White

INTROIT 
Wisdom 10:17
Wisdom rendered to the just the wages of their labors, and conducted them in a wonderful way: and she was to them for a covert by day, and for the light of stars by night. [P.T. Alleluia, alleluia.] -- (Ps. 126. 1). V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- Wisdom rendered to the just . . .

COLLECT - O God, Creator of all things, Who dost impose on man the law of work; grant in Thy goodness that, by the example and patronage of blessed Joseph, we may both accomplish the work Thou dost command and attain the reward Thou hast promised. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

EPISTLE
Colossians 3: 14-15, 17, 23-24
Brethren: Have charity, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. Whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that you shall receive of the Lord the reward of inheritance. Serve ye the Lord Christ.

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.

GRADUAL
Psalms 127: 1-2
Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways. V.: For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.

Alleluia, alleluia. Obtain for us, Joseph, grace to lead an innocent life: and may our life ever be shielded by thy patronage. Alleluia.

TRACT
Psalms 111: 1-3
Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments.
V.: His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed.
V.: Glory and wealth shall be in his house: and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.
 

GOSPEL
Matthew 13: 54-58

At that time: Jesus coming into His country, He taught them in their synagogues, so that they wondered and said: How came this Man by this wisdom and miracles? Is not this the carpenter's Son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Jude: and His sisters, are they not all with us? Whence therefore hath He all these things? And they were scandalized in His regard. But Jesus said to them: A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And He wrought not many miracles there, because of their unbelief.
 

OFFERTORY
Psalms 87: 17
Let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us: and direct Thou the works of our hands over us; yea, the work of our hands do Thou direct.

SECRET - May these gifts, the work of our hands, that we offer Thee in sacrifice, O Lord, become for us, by the intercession of blessed Joseph, a pledge of unity and peace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. . .

PREFACE (Preface of Saint Josehp) - It it truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God: and that we should magnify with due praises, bless and proclaim Thee on the solemnity of blessed Joseph; who, being a just man, was given by Thee as a Spouse to 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, conceived by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost, even Jesus Christ, our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, and the Powers stand in awe. The heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with them we entreat Thee that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted, while we say with lowly praise:

COMMUNION
Matthew 13: 54, 55
How came this Man by this wisdom and miracles? Is not this the carpenter's Son? Is not His mother called Mary? [P.T. Alleluia.]

POST COMMUNION - May these holy mysteries which we have received, O Lord, by the intercession of blessed Joseph, supply what is wanting in our works, and assure us of Thy rewards. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.