Word made man, the pain was keen that thou didst feel when thou didst see the Infant Jesus born in abject poverty; but thy pain was changed into heavenly joy when thou didst hear the harmony of the angelic choirs, and beheld the glory of that night when Jesus was born. By this, thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee obtain for us, that, when the journey of our life is ended, we too may pass to that blessed land where we shall hear the angelic chants, and rejoice in the bright light of heavenly glory. Pater. Ave. Gloria. III. St. Joseph, who wast ever most obedient in executing the law of God, thy heart was pierced with pain when the precious blood of the Infant Saviour was shed at his circumcision; but with the name of Jesus new life and heavenly joy returned to thee. By this, thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us that, being freed in our life from every vice, we too may cheerfully die, with the sweet name of Jesus in our hearts, and on our lips. Pater. Ave. Gloria. IV. St. Joseph, faithful saint, who was admitted to take part in the redemp tion of man, the prophecy of Simeon foretelling the sufferings of Jesus and Mary, caused thee a pang like that of death; but at the same time his prediction of the salvation and glorious resurrection of innumerable souls filled thee with a blessed joy. By this thy sorrow and thy joy, help us with thy prayers to be of the number of those who, by the merits of Jesus and his Virgin Mother, shall be partakers of the resurrection to glory. Pater. Ave. Gloria. V. St. Joseph, watchful guardian, friend of the Incarnate Son of God, truly thou didst greatly toil to nurture and to serve the son of the most high, especially in the flight thou madest with him into Egypt; yet thou didst rejoice to have God himself always with thee, and to see the overthrow of the idols of Egypt. By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us grace to keep far out of the reach of the enemy of our souls, by quitting all dangerous occasions, that so no idol of earthly affection may any longer occupy a place in our hearts, but that, being entirely devoted to the service of Virgin most pure, Star of the sen, Do thou, bright Queen, Star of the sea, PRAYER OF ST. ALOYSIUS TO THE To thee, O holy Mary, my sovereign Mistress, to thy blessed trust and special charge, and to the bosom of thy mercy, this day and every day, and at the hour of my death, I commend my self, my soul and my body; to thee I commit all my hope and all my consolation, my distresses and my miseries, my life and the end thereof; that through thy most holy intercession, and through thy merits, all my works may be di rected and disposed, according to thy will and the will of thy Son. Amen. PRAYER. My Queen! my Mother! I give thee all my self; and to show my devotion to thee, I conse crate to thee this day my eyes, ears, mouth, heart, myself wholly and without reserve. Wherefore, O loving Mother, as I am thine own, keep me, defend me, as thy property and thy own possession. Amen. DEVOTIONS TO ST. JOSEPH. SORROWS AND JOYS OF ST. JOSEPH. (100 days each time; 300 every Wednesday; plenary every month if said every day, and on feasts of St. Joseph. If said seven consecutive Sundays, 300 each Sunday, and plenary on last.) I. St. Joseph, pure spouse of Most Holy Mary, the trouble and anguish of thy Heart were great, when, being in sore perplexity, thou wast minded to put away thy stainless spouse, but thy joy was inexpressible when the Archangel revealed to thee the high mystery of the Incarnation. By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee comfort our souls now and in their last pains, with the consolation of a well-spent life, and a holy death like unto thy own, with Jesus and Mary at our side. Pater. Ave. Gloria. II. St. Joseph, blessed Patriarch, chosen to the office of Father of the Word made man, the pain was keen that thou didst feel when thou didst see the Infant Jesus born in abject poverty; but thy pain was changed into heavenly joy when thou didst hear the harmony of the angelic choirs, and beheld the glory of that night when Jesus was born. By this, thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee obtain for us, that, when the journey of our life is ended, we too may pass to that blessed land where we shall hear the angelic chants, and rejoice in the bright light of heavenly glory. Pater. Ave. Gloria. III. St. Joseph, who wast ever most obedient in executing the law of God, thy heart was pierced with pain when the precious blood of the Infant Saviour was shed at his circumcision; but with the name of Jesus new life and heavenly joy returned to thee. By this, thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us that, being freed in our life from every vice, we too may cheerfully die, with the sweet name of Jesus in our hearts, and on our lips. Pater. Ave. Gloria. IV. St. Joseph, faithful saint, who was admitted to take part in the redemp |