St. Joseph, Foster-Father of Our Lord

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All hail to the man to whom the Incarnate Word would have addressed the word "abba," and from whom He learned the challenging arts of manhood. In short, this is the man who taught the God-Man how to be a man!

Et descendit cum eis et venit Nazareth, et erat subditus illis...et Iesus proficiebat sapientia aetate et gratia apud Deum et homines. Acts 2: 51, 52


Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.God the Father of Heaven, (have mercy on us.)
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, (have mercy on us.)
God the Holy Spirit, (have mercy on us.)
Holy Trinity, One God, (have mercy on us.)

Holy Mary, pray for us
St. Joseph, "
Noble scion of David, "
Light of the Patriarchs, "
Spouse of the Mother of God, "
Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, "
Foster-father of the Son of God, "
Sedulous Defender of Christ, "
Head of the Holy Family, "
Joseph most just, "
Joseph most chaste, "
Joseph most prudent, "
Joseph most valiant, "
Joseph most obedient, "
Joseph most faithful, "
Mirror of patience, "
Lover of poverty, "
Model of all who labor, "
Glory of family life, "
Protector of virgins, "
Pillar of families, "
Consolation of the afflicted, "
Hope of the sick, "
Patron of the dying, "
Terror of the demons, "
Protector of Holy Church, "

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, (spare us, O Lord.)
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, (graciously hear us, O Lord.)
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, (have mercy on us.)

He made him the lord of his household. (And prince over all his possessions.)

Let us pray. God, Who, in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the Spouse of Thy most holy Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in Heaven whom, on earth, we venearate as our protector. Who livest and reignest world without end. (Amen.)



Kontakion to St. Joseph the Betrothed:

Let us bless and praise
the All-Virtuous Betrothed of the All-Holy Virgin
the Friend of God and divine Servant
the All-Worthy Joseph,
thy memory we celebrate with joy
that we my receive mercy from him Who called thee father!

Akathistos ikos 9:

Rejoice, thou wast chosen to nuture and guard the Christ-Child who nutures as God the whole world!
Rejoice, thou wast found worthy to see the God-Man face to face, to hold him in thy hands and to kiss his All-Holy Face!

This is a great feast in Italy, and among Italians everywhere, so in that spirit:
Viva San Giuseppe!!!!