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 worshipp’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 creature 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. Litany of St. Joseph. (_For Private Devotion Only._) Lord, have mercy on us. _Christ have mercy on us._ Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus hear us. _Jesus, graciously hear us._ God the Father of heaven, _Have mercy on us_. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, _Have mercy on us_. God the Holy Ghost, _Have mercy on us_. Holy Trinity, one God, _Have mercy on us_. Holy Mary, spouse of St. Joseph, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, confirmed in grace, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, guardian of the Word Incarnate, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, favorite of the King of heaven, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, ruler of the family of Jesus, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, spouse of the ever‐blessed Virgin, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, nursing‐father to the Son of God, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, example of humility and obedience, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, mirror of silence and resignation, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, patron of innocence and youth, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, exiled with Christ in Egypt, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, intercessor for the afflicted, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, advocate for the humble, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, model of every virtue, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, honored among men, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, union of all Christian perfection, _Pray for us._ St. Joseph, patron of the dying, _Pray for us._ Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Spare us, O Lord_! Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Graciously hear us, O Lord_! Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Have mercy on us, O Lord_! _V._ Pray for us, O holy St. Joseph. _R._ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. _Let Us Pray._ Grant, O Lord, we beseech Thee, by the merits of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, that what our unworthiness cannot obtain may be given us by his intercession with Thee, Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. APRIL. THE PASSION: MEDITATIONS FOR EVERY DAY OF LENT.