The Roman Missal: Proper of Saints, March and April (English) 11

1[March 19. St Joseph, Confessor.—Double of the Second Class.]

2Introit. Ps. xci. The just shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus: planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. Ps. It is good to give praise to the Lord; and to sing to thy name, O Most High. Glory, &c.

3Prayer. Sanctissimæ. We beseech thee, O Lord, that we may be assisted by the merits of the Spouse of thy most holy Mother, that what of ourselves we are unable to obtain, may be given to us by his intercession. Who livest and reignest, &c.

4[Lesson. He was beloved of God and men. As in the Common of Abbots, p. xl.]

5Gradual. O Lord, thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones.—He asked life of thee, and thou hast given him length of days for ever and ever.

6Tract. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: in his commandments he delights exceedingly.—His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed.—Glory and wealth shall be in his house: and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.

7[If it be after Easter, the following is said:]

8Alleluia, alleluia.—The Lord loved him, and adorned him: he clothed him with a robe of glory. Alleluia.—The just shall spring as the lily: and shall flourish for ever before the Lord. Alleluia.

9[Gospel. St Matthew i. 18—21. When Mary, the mother of Jesus. As on Christmas Eve, page 60.]

10Offertory. My truth and my mercy are with him: and in my name his horn shall be exalted.

11Secret. We render thee, O Lord, the debt of our service, suppliantly entreating that thou wouldst preserve in us thy gifts by the suffrages of blessed Joseph, the Spouse of the mother of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; on whose venerated festival we offer to thee the sacrifice of praise. Through the same Lord, &c.

12Communion. Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is born in her is of the Holy Ghost.

13Postcom. Adesto nobis. Come to our assistance, we beseech thee, O merciful God; and by the intercession of the blessed confessor Joseph for us, be appeased, and preserve thy gifts to us. Through our Lord, &c.