Page:ThePathToHeaven.djvu/513

 to render  to  thee  also  the  homage  which  I  pay  to  the Infant Jesus  and  to  his  Virgin  Mother. I beseech  thee also, O  my  most  glorious  father  St  Joseph,  to  obtain  for me, through  thy  great  merits  and  by  thy  most  powerful intercession, the  grace  to  imitate  in  my  life  thy  most  holy conversation with  Jesus  and  Mary,  so  that  I  too,  like thyself, may  enjoy  the  assistance  of  Jesus  and  of  Mary  at my  death,  and  in  their  arms  may  breathe  forth  my  soul, saying, Jesus,  Joseph,  and  Mary,  I  give  you  my  heart  and my soul. Amen,

An Our  Father,  Hail  Mary,  and  Glory,  to  St.  Joseph,

O God,  who  by  the  holy  family  of  the  Incarnate  Word hast consecrated  the  whole  earth,  and  hast,  in  Jesus, Mary, and  Joseph,  given  to  us  the  pattern  of  holy  living; grant that  we,  who  by  this  blessed  three  implore  of  thee the grace  of  holy  living,  may,  together  with  the  angels, come to  praise  thee  in  heaven,  who  livest  in  thy  blissful and undivided  trinity  of  persons,  world  without  end. Amen.

Ye that would live and die secure,

In merit strong, of mercy sure,

Choose Joseph for your heavenly friend,

To guide your steps and bless your end.

He was sweet Mary's consort dear,

And Jesus' sire, when exiled here;

Just true, of purity untold,

Say, shall he ask, and God withhold?

He worship'd at the manger-bed,

And then the Exile comforted;

And sought  his Son  and  joyous found.

While on  his  Father's  business bound,

He through  sweet  toil  and  patient pains

The world's  Artificer  sustains;

And whom  th'  Angelic  legions praise

Obedience to his creatures pays.

And now he waxes old and dies:

But first  beholds  with  loving eyes

Jesus and Mary - gracious sight -

Then sleeps entranced in deep delight.

Ant. Behold the  faithful  and  prudent  servant  whom the Lord  set  over  his  house.

V. Pray  for  us,  holy  Joseph,

R. That  we  may  be  made  worthy  of  the  promises  of Christ