Page:ThePathToHeaven.djvu/510



1. O  glorious  St.  Joseph,  most  pure  spouse  of  thy  most holy Mary,  even  as  the  trouble  and  anguish  of  thy  heart was great  in  the  perplexity  of  abandoning  thy  most  chaste and stainless  spouse,  so,  too,  inexplicable  was  thy  delight when by  the  angel  was  revealed  to  thee  the  sovereign mystery of  the  Incarnation.

Through this  sorrow  and  this  joy  of  thine,  we  pray  thee, now and  in  our  last  agony,  to  comfort  our  soul  with  the joy of  a  good  life,  and  of  a  holy  death,  like  unto  thine between Jesus  and  Mary.

Our Father,  Hail  Mary,  and  Glory  be  to  the  Father.

2. O  glorious  St.  Joseph,  most  blessed  patriarch,  who wast selected  for  the  office  of  reputed  father  of  the  Word made Man,  the  grief  which  thou  didst  feel  at  seeing  the child Jesus  born  in  such  great  poverty  was  suddenly changed for  thee  into  heavenly  exultation  at  hearing  the angelic harmony,  and  seeing  the  glories  of  that  most  resplendent night.

Through this  sorrow  and  this  joy  of  thine,  we  beseech thee to  obtain  for  us  that,  after  the  journey  of  this  life  is over,  we  may  pass  hence  to  hear  the  angelic  praises,  and to enjoy  the  splendours  of  the  glory  of  heaven.

Our Father,  Hail  Mary,  and  Glory  be  to  the  Father.

3. O  glorious  St.  Joseph, who  didst  fulfil  most  obediently all  God's  commands,  the  most  precious  blood which the  child  Redeemer  shed  in  the  circumcision  struck death into  thy  heart,  but  the  name  of  Jesus  revived  it  and filled it  full  of  joy.

Through this  sorrow  and  this  joy  of  thine,  obtain  for me that all vices  having  been  taken  from  us  during  life, we may expire in  exultation  with  the  most  holy  name  of Jesus in our hearts  and  upon  our lips.

Our Father, Hail  Mary,  and  Glory  be  to  the  Father.