" PAST " GUARDIAN OF THE SAVIOUR CHILD

JOSEPH! to thee by hosts on high
and choirs of Christians, laud be paid!
saintly of life, -by purest tie
joined unto her, the glorious Maid.




When thou didst doubt thy wife's repute,
and mark her great with motherhood,
the angel taught thee that her fruit
came from the Holy Ghost of God.


To clasp the Son, the Lord, was thine,
to share His flight to Egypt's shore,
with tears, to seek in Salem's shrine
Him lost, -with joy, to find once more.


Death brings to other Saints their rest;
through toil they win the victor's place;
thou happier, like the Angels blest,
alive, hast seen God face to face.


Spare us, O Trinity most High!
grant that, with Joseph, we may gain
Thy starry realm, and ceaselessly
there raise to Thee our thankful strain.
Amen.


(Roman Breviary - Hymn Te Joseph celebrent agmina coelitum 17th Cent.)


"Though thou hast recourse to many saints as thine intercessors,go especially to St. Joseph, for he has great power with God." - St. Theresa of Jesus : Maxims (16th Cent.)St.Joseph