Page:ThePathToHeaven.djvu/511

 4. O most  glorious  St.  Joseph,  most  faithful  saint,  who wast a  partaker  in  the  mysteries  of  our  redemption,  if Simeon's  prophecy  of  that  which  Jesus  and  Mary  were  to suffer  caused  thee  a  mortal  pang,  it  filled  thee  also  with  a blessed  joy  at  the  salvation  and  glorious  resurrection  of innumerable  souls,  which  he  at  the  same  time  foretold would thence  proceed.

Through this  sorrow  and  this  joy  of  thine,  obtain  for  us that  we  may  be  of  the  number  of  those  who,  through  the merits of  Jesus,  and  at  the  intercession  of  the  Virgin Mother, are  to  rise  again  in  glory.

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

5. O  glorious  St.  Joseph,  most  watchful  guardian  and familiar attendant  of  the  incarnate  Son  of  God,  how  much didst thou  suffer  in  supporting  and  in  serving  the  Son  of the  Most  High,  particularly  in  the  flight  which  thou  hadst to make  into  Egypt;  but  how  much  again  didst  thou  rejoice at  having  always  with  thee  that  same  God,  and  at seeing  the  idols  of  Egypt  fall  to  the  ground.

Through this  sorrow  and  this  joy  of  thine,  obtain  for us that,  by  keeping  far  from  us  hell's  tyrant,  especially by flying  from  dangerous  occasions,  every  idol  of  earthly affection may  fall  from  our  hearts;  and  that,  wholly  occupied in  the  service  of  Jesus  and  of  Mary,  we  may  live for them  alone,  and  die  a  happy  death.

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

6. O  glorious  St.  Joseph,  angel  of  the  earth,  who  didst marvel at  beholding  the  King  of  Heaven  subject  to  thy commands, if  thy  consolation  at  bringing  him  back  from Egypt was  disturbed  by  the  fear  of  Archelaus,  yet,  assured by the  angel,  thou  didst  with  Jesus  and  Mary  dwell  in  joy at Nazareth.

Through this  sorrow  and  this  joy  of  thine,  obtain  for us that  our  heart,  unclouded  by  hurtful  fears,  may  enjoy peace of  conscience,  and  that  we  may  live  secure  with Jesus and  Mary,  and  with  them  may  also  die.

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

7. O  glorious  St.  Joseph, model  of  all  holiness,  when, without fault  of  thine,  thou  hadst  lost  the  child  Jesus,  thou didst  seek  him  for  three  days  in  the  greatest  sorrow,  until with  joyful  heart  thou  didst  possess  again  thy  life,  finding him  in  the  Temple  among  the  doctors.