Saturday of the Third Week after Easter

f. In thy resurrection, O f. In resurrectione tua, brisk alleluia. Christe, alleluia.

I?. Let heaven and earth re- I&. Cceli et terra l«tentur,

The Saturday brings us back to Mary. Lot us again contemplate her prerogatives ; and yet, whilst so doing, let us still keep our thoughts on holy Church, which has been the subject of our meditations during this week. Let us, to-day, consider the relations existing between Mary and the Church : — they will make us the better understand these two Mothers of mankind.

Before taking possession of the Church, which was to be proclaimed before all nations on the day of Pentecost, — the Man- God made a worthy prelude to this kingly possession by uniting himself with Her, who is so deservedly styled the Mother and representative of the human race. This was Mary. Of the family of David, Abraham and Sem; immaculate, from the first moment of her existence, as were our First Parents when they came from their Creator's hands ; and destined for the grandest honour which could be conferred on a mere creature ; Mary was, during her sojourn here on earth, the inheritance and co-operatrix of the Incarnate Word : she was the Mother of all the living. She, in her single person, joice, alleluia.

1 Gen. iii. 20. pasoh : TIME. II.

O was what the Church, collectively, has been from the day of its foundation. Her office of Mother of God surpasses all her other glories; still, we must not overlook, but, on the contrary, admire and love them.

Mary was the first creature that fully corresponded with the intentions which induced the Son of God to come down from heaven. He found in her the most lively faith, the firmest hope, and the most fervent love. Never had human nature, perfected by grace, offered to God an object so worthy of his acceptance. Before celebrating his union with the human race, as its Shepherd, — Jesus was the Shepherd of this single sheep, whose merits and dignity surpass those of the rest of mankind, even supposing it to have been always, and in all things, faithful to its God.

Mary, therefore, represented the Christian Church, before it existed in itself. The Son of God found iu her, not only a Mother, but the faithful worshipper of his Divinity from the first moment of his Incarnation. We saw, on Holy Saturday, how Mary's faith withstood the test of Calvary and the Tomb, and how this faith, which never faltered, kept alive on the earth the light which was never to be quenched, and which was soon to be confided to the collective Church, whose mission was to win over all nations to the Divine Shepherd.

It was not Jesus' will that his Blessed Mother should exercise a visible and outward apostolate, save in a limited degree. Besides, he was not to leave her here till the end of time. But, just; in the same way as, from the day of his Ascension, he made his Church co-operate with him in all that he does for his elect, — so likewise did he will, during his mortal life, that Mary should have her share in ail the works done by him for our salvation. She, whose formal consent bad been required before the Eternal Word took Flesh in her womb, was present, as we have already seen, at the foot of the Cross, in order that she, as a creature, might offer him, who offered himself as God, our Redeemer. The Mother's sacrifice blended with that of the Son, and this raised her up to a degree of merit, which the human mind could never calculate. Thus it is, though in a less perfect manner, the Church unites herself, in unity of oblation, with her Divine Spouse, in the Sacrifice of the Altar. It was to be on the day of Pentecost that the Church's maternity would be proclaimed to the world ; Mary was invested with the office of Mother of men, as Jesus was hanging upon his Cross. When his Side was opened with the Spear, that the Church born from the Water and Blood of Redemption, might come forth, — Mary was there to receive into her arms this future mother, whom she had hitherto so fully represented.

In a few days, we shall behold Mary in the Cenacle ; the Holy Ghost will enrich her with new gifts, and we shall have to study her mission in the early Church. Let us close the considerations we have been making to-day by drawing a parallel between our two Mothers, who, though one is so far above the other in dignity, are nevertheless closely united to each other.

Our heavenly Mother, who is also the Mother of Jesus, is ever assisting our earthly Mother, the Church, with heavenly aid. Mary exercises over her, in each of her existences, — Militant, Suffering, or Triumphant, — an influence of power and love. She procures to the Church the victories she wins ; she enables her to go through the tribulations and trials which beset her path. The children of one are children of the other ; both have a share in giving us spiritual birth, — one, the "Mother of divine grace/' by her all-powerful prayers; the other, by the Word of God and Holy Baptism. If, when we depart this life, our admission to the beatific vision is to be retarded on account of our sins, and our souls are to descend to the abode of Purgatory, — the suffrages of our earthly Mother will follow us, and alleviate or shorten our sufferings ; but our heavenly Mother will do still more for us during that period of expiation, so awful and yet so just. In heaven the elect are rejoiced at the sight of the Church Triumphant, though she be still Militant on earth ; and who can describe the joy these happy children must feel at seeing the glory of the Mother that begot them in Christ ? but with how much gladder ecstacy must not these same citizens of heaven gaze upon Mary, that other Mother of theirs, who was their Star on the stormy sea of life, who never ceased to watch over them with most loving care, who procured them countless aids to salvation, and who, when they entered heaven, received them into those same maternal arms, which heretofore carried the Divine Fruit of her womb, — that First-Bom, whose Brothers and Joint- Heirs we are called to be !

As long as we dwell in this vale of tears, — which is now being turned into a paradise by the presence of our Risen Jesus, — let us, sometimes, think of Mary's joys. Last Saturday, we borrowed a Hymn from the ancient Churches of Germany, in order to celebrate her Seven Joys; let us do the same to-day.

Gaude Virgo, Stella maris, Rejoice, O Virgin Star of Sponsa Christi singularis, the Sea, dearest Spouse of

Per salutis nuntiutn : salvation announced to thee an A peccatis nos emunda, exceeding great joy. Cleanse Casta Mater et fcecunda, us from our sins, 0 Virgin

SEQUENCE.

Jocundata nimium

» St. Luke, ii. 7,

Mother ! and speak to our heart of the joys that never end.

Kejoice, O spotless Mother ! in that thou conceivedst of the Holy Ghost, and broughtest forth thy Child, as the star emits its ray. Grant, that we may ever be fruitful in works of salvation. Take these barren hearts of ours, and, by thy merciful prayers, make them fertile.

Kejoice, O beautiful Lily ! at the adoration and gifts

Eaid, by the Magi, to thy neworn Babe. O happy Mother ! pray, that we may ever imitate them, and give to God what their gifts signified.

Rejoice, O Mother ! at the praises spoken by Simeon, when, at thy presenting Jesus in the Temple, he took the Child in his arms. Grant, we beseech thee, that we may serve thy Son with purity and earnestness of heart.

Rejoice, and, with all thy soul's power, be glad at thy Son's rising from the grasp of Death. Mercifully obtain for us, that we may rise from our sins, and have our hearts set free from the pressure of its many vices.

Rejoice, in that thou hadst the happiness to see thy Son ascend into heaven, where he is seated on his Father's throne. Grant, that, at the end of the world, we may, without fear, welcome his return.

Rejoice, O Virgin of vir-

Et suprema gaudia Nostro cordi nuntia.

Gaude Mater illibata, Quae tarn mire foecundata Genuisti filium, Velut sidus radium ; Fac nos quoque salutari Partu semper fcecundari, Atque corde steriles Fac clementer fertiles.

Gaude floreus lilium, Cujus novum filium Magi cum muneribus Placant flexis genibus ; O felix puerpera, Nos illorum munera Deo ferre tribue Semper et assidue.

Gaude Parens, cujus natus

Jam in templo prsesentatus Simeonis manibus Tollitur cum laudibus :

Confer nobis, supplicamus,

Ut et ilium nos geramus Puris semper cordibus Et sinceris inentibua. Gaude, qui tripudio

Lastabaris nimio,

Resurgente filio

Mortis ab imperio :

Fac a nostro scelere,

Pia, nos resurgere,

Sursum tolle variis

Cor oppressum vitiis. Gaude, qua felicibus

Conspexisti visibus

Ire tuum filium

Ad paternum solium :

Da, ut ejus reditum,

Hums vitas terminum,

Valeamus libere

Sine metu cernere. Gaude, Virgo virginum,

Q 11am post vitas terminum gins ! who, after thy life's

Dulcis Jesu dextera course was run, wast raised

Vexit super sidera : up, by thy sweet Jesus, above

Priesta nobis miseris the stars. Grant, that we

Sublevamen sceleris, miserable creatures may be

Et post banc miseriam raised from our sins, and.

Due ad veram patriatn. after this miserable life, be

Amen. led to our true country. — Amen.

THWD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER :

THE PATRONAGE OF SAINT JOSEPH

♦

The Easter mysteries are superseded to-day by a special subject, which is offered for our consideration. The holy Church invites us to spend this Sunday in honouring the Spouse of Mary, the Foster-Father of the Son of God. And yet, as we offered him the yearly tribute of our devotion on the 19th of March, it is not, properly speaking, his Feast that we are to celebrate to-day. It is a solemn expression of gratitude offered to Joseph, the Protector of the Faithful, the refuge and support of all that invoke him with confidence. The innumerable favours he has bestowed upon the world entitle him to this additional homage. With a view to her children's interests, the Church would, on this day, excite their confidence in this powerful and ever ready helper.

Devotion to St. Joseph was reserved for these latter times. Though based on the Gospel, it was not to be developed in the early ages of the Church. It is not that the Faithful were, in any way, checked from showing honour to him who had been called to take so important a part in the mystery of the Incarnation ; but Divine Providence had its hidden reasons for retarding the Liturgical homage to be paid, each year, to the Spouse of Mary. As on other occasions, so here also; the East preceded the West in the special cuUus of St. Joseph: but, in the 15th Century, the whole Latin Church adopted it, and, since that time, it has gradually gained the affections of the

Faithful. We have treated upon the glories of St. Joseph, on the 19th of March ; the present Feast has its own special object, which we will at once proceed to explain.

The goodness of God and our Redeemers fidelity to his promises have ever kept pace with the necessities of the world ; so that, in every age, appropriate and special aid has been given to the world for its maintaining the supernatural life. An uninterrupted succession of seasonable grace has been the result of this merciful dispensation, and each generation has had given to it a special motive for confidence in its Redeemer. Dating from the 13th century, when, as the Church herself assures us, the world began to grow cold, — each epoch has had thrown open to it a new source of graces. First of all came the Feast of the Most Blessed Sacrament, with its successive developments of Processions, Expositions, Benedictions and the Forty Hours. After this followed the devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus (of which St. Bernardine of Sienna was the chief propagator,) and that of Via Cruris or Stations of the Gross , with its wonderful fruit of compunction. The practice of frequent Communion was revived in the 16th century, owing principally to the influence of St. Ignatius and the Society founded by him. In the 17th, was promulgated the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was firmly established in the following century. In the 19 th, devotion to the Holy Mother of God has made such progress, as to form one of the leading supernatural characteristics of the period. The Rosary and Scapular, which had been handed down to us in previous ages* have regained their place in the affections of the people ; Pilgrimages to the Sanctuaries of the Mother of God, which had

. 1 Frigucente mundo. Collect; for the Feast of the Stigmata of Sfc, Francis. been interrupted by the influence of Jansenism and rationalism, have been renewed ; the Archconfraternity of the Sacred Heart of Mary has spread throughout the whole world ; numerous miracles have been wrought in reward for the fervent faith of individuals ; in a word, our present century has witnessed the triumph of the Immaculate Conception, — a triumph which had been looked forward to for many previous ages.

Now, devotion to Mary could never go on increasing as it has done, without bringing with it a fervent devotion to St. Joseph. We cannot separate Mary and Joseph, were it only for their having such close connection with the mystery of the Incarnation: — Mary, as being the Mother of the Son of God ; and Joseph, as being guardian of the Virgin s spotless honour, and Foster- Father of the Divine Babe. A special veneration for St. Joseph was the result of increased devotion to Mary. Nor is this reverence for Mary's Spouse to be considered only as a just homage paid to his admirable prerogatives : it is, moreover, a fresh and exhaustless source of help to the world, for Joseph has been made our Protector by the Son of God himself. Hearken to the inspired words of the Church's Liturgy : " Thou, O Joseph ! art the u delight of the Blessed, the sure hope of our life, and " the pillar of the world"1 Extraordinary as is this power, need we be surprised at its being given to a man like Joseph, whose connections with the Son of God on earth were so far above those of all other men? Jesus deigned to be subject to Joseph here below ; now that he is in heaven, he would glorify the creature, to whom he consigned the guardianship of his own childhood and his Mother's honour. He has

1 Ccelitum, Josepb, decus atque nostra Certa spes vitse, columenque mundi. (Hymn for Lauds of th& Feast of the Fatronagt of St. Joseph.) given him a power, which is above our calculations. Hence it is, that the Church invites us, on this day, to have recourse, with unreserved confidence, to this all-powerful Protector. The world we live in is filled with miseries which would mate stronger hearts than ours quake with fear; but let us invoke St- Joseph with faith, and we shall be protected. In all our necessities, whether of soul or body, — in all the trials and anxieties we may have to go through, — let us have recourse to St. Joseph, and we shall not be disappointed. The king of Egypt said to his people when they were suffering from famine : Go to Joseph !l the King of Heaven says the same to us : the faithful guardian of Mary has greater influence with God than Jacob's son had with Pharaoh.

As usual, God revealed this new spiritual aid to a privileged soul, that she might be the instrument of its propagation. It was thus that were instituted several Feasts, such as those of Corpus Christi, and of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the 16th century, St. Teresa, (whose Writings were to have a world-wide circulation,) was instructed by heaven as to the efficacy of devotion to St. Joseph : she has spoken of it in the Life, (written by herself,) of Teresa of Jesus. When we remember, that it was by the Carmelite Order, (brought into the Western Church, in the 13th century,) that this devotion was established among us, — we cannot be surprised that God should have chosen St. Teresa, who was the Reformer of that Order, to propagate the same devotion in this part of the world. The holy solitaries of Mount Carmel, — devoted as they had been, for so many centuries, to the love of Mary, — were not slow in feeling the connection that exists between the honour paid to the Mother of God and that which is due to her virginal Spouse. The more we understand St. Joseph's office,

1 Gen. xli. 66. the clearer will be our knowledge of the divine mystery of the Incarnation. As when the Son of God assumed our human nature, he would- have a Mother; so also, would he give to his Mother a protector. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, — these are the three whom the ineffable mystery is continually bringing before our minds.

The words of St. Teresa are as follows : " I took for " my patron and lord the glorious St Joseph, and re- " commended myself earnestly to him. I saw clearly " * * that he rendered me greater services than I " knew how to ask for. I cannot call to mind that I u have ever asked him at any time for any thing which " he has not granted ; and I am filled with amazement, " when I consider the great favours which God hath " given me through this blessed Saint, the dangers " from which he hath delivered me, both of body and 41 soul. To other Saints, our Lord seems to have given " grace to succour men in some special necessity ; but " to this glorious Saint, I know by experience, to help " us in all : and our Lord would have us understand " that, as he was himself subject to him upon earth, * — for St. Joseph having the title of father, and being "his guardian, could command him, — so now in " heaven he performs all his petitions. I have asked " others to recommend themselves to St. Joseph, and " they too know this by experience ; and there are " many who are now of late devout to him, having " had experience of this truth." 1

We might quote several other equally clear and fervent words from the writings of this seraphic Virgin. The Faithful could not remain indifferent duced its fruit ; slowly, it is true, but surely. Even in the first half of the 17th century, there prevailed

1 The Life of St. Teresa .—Translated by David Lewis, 1870 pagt 34.

The seed thus sown pro- amidst the devout clients of St. Joseph a presentiment, that the day would come, when the Church, through her Liturgy, would urge the Faithful to have recourse to him as their powerful Protector. In a hook published in the year 1645, we find these almost prophetic words : " O thou bright sun, thou father of " our days ! speed thy onward course, and give us "that happy day, whereon are to be fulfilled the " prophecies of the Saints. They have said, that in "the latter ages of. the world, the glories of St. " Joseph will be brought to light ; that God will draw " aside the veil, which has hitherto prevented us from

• seeing the wondrous sanctuary of Joseph's soul; " that the Holy Ghost will inspire the Faithful to " proclaim the praises of this admirable Saint, and to "build Monasteries, Churches and Altars in his " honour ; that, throughout the entire kingdom of the " Church Militant, he shall be considered as the spe- " cial Protector, for he was the Protector of the very " Founder of that kingdom, namely, our Lord Jesus " Christ ; that the Sovereign Pontiffs will, by a secret " impulse from heaven, ordain that the Feast of this "great Patriarch be solemnly celebrated through the " length and breadth of the spiritual domain of St. " Peter ; that the most learned men of the world will " use their talents in studying the divine gifts hidden

• in St. Joseph, and that they will find in him treasures of grace incomparably more precious and plen-

• tiful, than were possessed by even the choicest of the " elect of the Old Testament, during the whole four " thousand years of its duration." 1

These ardent wishes have been fulfilled. It is now more than a century ago, that the Carmelites sought and obtained the approbation of the Holy See for an Office in honour of the Patronage of St. Joseph. A

1 La gloire de saint Joseph ; par le P. Jean Jacquinot, de la Compagnie de Jagus. Dijon : 1645. great number of Dioceses obtained permission to use it. A Sunday was selected for the celebration of this new Feast, in order that the Faithful might be, in a way, compelled to keep it ; for the Feast of St. Joseph in March is not a day of obligation for the universal Church, and, as it always falls during Lent, it cannot be kept on a Sunday, since the Sundays of Lent exclude a Feast of that rite. That the new Feast might not be attended with the same risk of being unnoticed, it was put upon a Sunday, — the third Sunday after Easter, that thus the consolations of such a solemnity might be blended with the Paschal joys. The new Feast went on gradually spreading from one diocese to another ; till at last, there was unexpectedly issued an Apostolic Decree, dated September the 10th, 1847, which ordered it to be kept throughout Christendom. The Church was on the eve of severe trials ; and her glorious Pontiff, Pius the Ninth, by a sacred instinct, was prompted to draw down on the Flock intrusted to him the powerful protection of St. Joseph, who, assuredly, has never had greater miseries and dangers to avert from the world, than those which threaten the present age.

Let us then henceforth have confidence in the Patronage of St. Joseph. He is the Father of the Faithful, and it is God's will, that he, more than any other Saint, should have power to apply to us the blessings of the mystery of the Incarnation, — the great mystery whereof he, after Mary, was the chief earthly minister.

In the Greek Liturgy, this third Sunday after Easter is called the Sunday of the Paralytic, because a special commemoration is made of the miracle wrought by our Saviour at the Probatica.

PASOHAL time.

The Roman Church begins to-day, in her Office of Matins, the Book of St. Johns Apocalypse.

On this Feast, dedicated to St. Joseph as Protector of the Faithful, the Church, in the Introit of the Mass, speaks to us of the confidence we should have in the Protection of God : she uses the words of the Royal Prophet, and would have us make them our own. Now, St. Joseph is the Minister of this Divine Protection, and God promises it to us, if we address ourselves to this his incomparable Servant.

Adjutor et protector nos- The Lord is our helper and ter est Dominus : in eo protector : in him shall our laetabitur cor nostrum : et heart rejoice : and in his in nomine sancto ejus soe- holy name we have trusted, ravimus. Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia.

Fs. Qui regis Israel, in- Ps. Give ear, O thou that tende: qui deducis velut rulest Israel : thou that leadest ovem Joseph. % Gloria Joseph like a sheep, Glory,

Patri. Adjutor. <&c. The Lord, <bc.

In the Collect, the Church lays stress upon God's choosing St. Joseph as Mary's Spouse, and teaches us that one of the consequences of this choice was oui having a Protector, who will be ready to assist us by his all-powerful intercession, as often as we pray to him.

Deus, qui ineffabili pro- O God, who, by thy un- videntia beatum Joseph speakable providence, didst sanctissimae Genitricis tuae vouchsafe to choose blessed sponsum eligere dignatus Joseph to be the Spouse of

MASS.

INTROIT.

COLLECT.

PATRONAGE OP ST. JOSEPH. thy most holy Mother : grant that, as we venerate him for our Protector on earth, we may deserve to be aided by his intercession in heaven. Who livest, dec es : prsesta, qusesumus, ut, quern Protectorem veneramur in terris, intercessorem habere mereamur in ccelis. Qui vivis.

A Commemoration of the third Sunday after Easter is then made, by this Collect.

O God, who showest the light of thy truth to such as go astray, that they may return to the way of righteousness : grant that all, who profess the Christian name, may forsake whatever is contrary to that profession, and closely pursue what is agreeable to it. Through, <fcc.

Deus, qui errantibus, ut in viam possint redire justitiaa, veritatis tuae lumen ostendis : da cunctis, qui Christiana professione censentur, et ilia respuere quae huic inimica sunt nomini ; et ea quae sunt apta sectar i. Per Dominum.

EPISTLE.

Lesson from the book of Genesis. Ch. XLIX.

Joseph is a growing son, a growing son and comely to behold : the daughters run to and fro upon the walL But they, that held darts, provoked him, and quarrelled with him, and envied him. His bow rested upon the strong, and the bands of his arms and his hands were loosed, by the hands of the mighty one of Jacob : thence he came forth a Shepherd, the stone of Israel. The God of thy father shall be thy helper, and the Almighty shall bless thee with the blessings of heaven above, with the blessings of the deep that

Lectio libri Genesis.

Cap. XLIX.

Filius accrescens Joseph, filius accrescens et decorus aspectu : filiae discur rerun t super murum. Sedexasperaverunt eum, et jurgati sunt, invideruntque llli habentes jacula. Sedit in fort: arcus ejus, et dissoluta sunt viucula brachiorum et manuum illius per manus potentis Jacob : inde pastor egressus est lapis Israel. Deus patris tui erit adjutor tuus, et omnipotens benedicet tibi benedictionibua cceli desuper. Benedictionibua abyssi jaeentis deorsum, benedictionibua uberum et vulvae. Benedictiones patris lieth tui confortat® sunt bene* dictionibus patrum ejus : donee veniret desiderium collium aeternorum : fiant in capite Joseph, et in vertice Nazaraei inter f ratrcs suos. beneath, with the blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of thy father are strengthened with the blessings of his fathers : until the Desire of the everlasting hills shall come : may they be upon the head of

Joseph, and upon the crown of the Nazarite among his brethren.

This magnificent prophecy of the dying Jacob, wherein he makes known to his son Joseph the glorious destiny which awaits himself and his children, is most appropriate to this Feast ; it reminds us of the beautiful comparison drawn, by St. Bernard, between the two Josephs. We refer our readers to the 19th of March, where they will find the passage we allude to, and in which we are told that the first Joseph was a type of the second. After prophesying what was to happen to his ten eldest sons, the Patriarch Jacob speaks, with marked partiality, concerning the son of Rachel. After speaking of his comeliness, he alludes to the persecution he received from his Brothers, and to the wondrous ways whereby God delivered him out of their hands, and exalted him to glory and power. The words he uses may well be applied to the second Joseph, the Spouse of Mary, and the Protector of the Faithful; for who better deserves the title of Shepherd and Stone (i.e. strength) of Israel I We are all of us his family : he affectionately watches over us: and, in our troubles, we may rely upon him, with all confidence, as our staunch unfailing defender. St. Joseph's inheritance is the Church, sanctified and made fruitful by the ceaseless blessing of the Waters of Baptism ; it is in the Church that he exercises his beneficent power upon all who confide in him. Jacob promised the most lavish blessings upon the first Joseph ; and these blessings were to last till the Saviour, the desire of the everlasting hills should come, when the second Joseph would begin his ministry, — a ministry of help and Protection, which would continue till the second coming of the Son of God. Finally, if the first Joseph bespoken of, in this prophecy, as a Nazarite, (that is, one consecrated to God,) and as a Saint among his Brethren, the second Joseph is to fulfil the prediction still more literally ; for, not only will his sanctity surpass that of Jacob's son, but his very home will be Nazareth. In that city he will dwell with Mary ; to that city he will return after the exile in Egypt ; in that city he will terminate his holy career ; in a word, Jesus, the Eternal Word, shall be called a Nazarite} because he is to live in that city with his Foster- Father.

In the first Alleluia- Versicle, we have St. Joseph speaking to us ; he encourages us to have recourse to him, and promises us untiring Protection. Iu the second the Church prays, for her children, that they may have the grace to imitate the purity of Mary's Spouse: her prayer is addressed to him.

Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia.

"jf. De quacumque tribulatione clamaverint ad me, exaudiam eos : et ero proeoram semper.

% In whatever tribulation they shall cry to me, I will hear them ; and I will be their protector for ever. tector

Alleluia. Alleluia. f. Obtain for us, O Joseph, f. Fac nos inoocuam, to lead an innocent life ; and Joseph, decurrere vitam, may it ever be sate through sitque tuo semper tuta pa- thy Patronage. Alleluia. trocinio. Alleluia.

GOSPEL.

Sequel of the Holy Gospel ac- Sequentia sancti jSvangelii

At that time : It came to In illo tempore : Factum cording to Luke. Ch. III. secundum Lucam. Cap. III.

1 St. M»tth. ii. 23.

PASCH : TIME IX-

P est autem cum baptizaretur pass, when all the people were omnis populus, et J esu bap- baptised, that Jesus also being tizato et orante, apertum est baptised, and praying, heaven caelum : et descendit Spiri- was opened : and the Holy tus Sanctus corporali specie Ghost descended, in a bodily sicut columba in ipsnm : et shape, as a dove, upon him : vox de ccelo facta est : Tu es and a voice came from heaven :

Filius meus dilectus, in te Thou art my beloved Son ; in complacui mihL Et ipse Je- thee I am well pleased. And sus erat incipiens quasi an- Jesus himself was beginning norum triginta, ut putaba- about the age of thirty years : tur, filius Joseph. being, as it was supposed, the

Son of Joseph.

Being, as it was supposed, the Son of Joseph! Jesus' filial affection for his Mother, — his jealousy for the honour of the purest of Virgins, — led him to treat Joseph as his Father, and to allow himself to be called the Son of Joseph! Joseph heard the Son of God call him, " Father." He had charge of, he laboured for the maintenance of the Son of the Eternal Father. He was the head of the Holy Family at Nazareth, and Jesus recognised his authority. The plan of the Mystery of the Incarnation required that these relations should exist between the Creator and the Creature. As the Son of God, now that he is seated at the right hand of the Eternal Father, has kept our Human Nature indissolubly united with his Divine Person ; so, likewise, has he retained the feelings he had, when here on earth, for Mary and Joseph. With regard to Mary, his love for her, as his Mother, has but increased ; and as to Joseph, it is impossible to suppose that the affection and respect he had for him, have now ceased to exist in the Heart of the Man-God. No mortal was ever on such terms of intimacy and familiarity with Jesus as Joseph was. J esus was grateful to Joseph for the paternal care he received from him ; what more natural than to believe, that Jesus now repays him with special honours and power in heaven ? It is the belief of the Church ; it is the conviction of the Faithful ; it is the motive which suggested the present Feast.

The words of the Offertory are taken from Psalm 147. Jerusalem, that is, the Church, is bid to rejoice, because of the means of defence, which God has given her against her enemies. One of the greatest of the blessings thus conferred upon her, is St. Joseph's Protection.

OFFERTORY.

Lauda Jerusalem Domilem, num, quoniam confortavit portarum tuarum: benedixit filiis tuis in te.

Praise the Lord, O Jerusabecause he hath strengthened the bolts of thy gates: seras he hath blessed thy children within thee. Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia.

In the Secret, the Church prays, that we may imitate the Carpenter of Nazareth, in his detachment from earthly things.

SECRET.

Genitricis tuae SpoDsi patrocinio sufrogamus, Domine, clementiam tuam, ut corda de- nostra facias terrena cuncta despicere: acteverumDeum perfecta charitate diligere: Quivivis.

Supported by the Patronage Sanctissim® of the Spouse of thy most holy Mother, we beseech thy cle- fulti, mency, O Lord, that thou wouldst make our hearts spise all earthly things, and love thee, the true God, with perfect charity. Who livest, <£&

Then is made a commemoration of the Third Sunday after Easter, by the following Secret.

SECRET. nobis, Domine, teriis conferatur, quo terdesideria mitigantes, discamus amare coftlestia. Per Dominum.

By these mysteries, O Lord, His mysmay we be enabled to moderate our earthly desires, and rena learn to love those that are heavenly. Through, dbc.

The Communion- Anthem is a sentence taken from St. Matthew's Gospel, wherein we find the glorious title of our holy Protector: Joseph, the husband of Mary ; and the still more glorious one of Mary: Of whom was bom Jesus.

COMMUNION.

Jacob autem genuit Joseph virum Marise, de qua natus est Jesus, qui vocatur Christus, alleluia.

But Jacob begat Joseph, thehusband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ, alleluia.

Holy Church prays, in the Postcommunion, that St. Joseph, who is our Protector during this present life, may intercede for us in what concerns our eternal welfare.

POSTCOMMUNION.

Divini muneris fonte re- Kefreshed at the fountain fecti, quaesuinus, Domine of divine blessings, we be-

Deus noster : ut, sicut nos seech thee, O Lord, our God ; facis beati Joseph protec- that, as thou makest us re- tione gaudere, ita ejus me- joice in the Protection of ritis et intercessione, cod- blessed Joseph, so by his lestis gloriae facias esse merits and intercession, thou participes. Per Dominum. wouldst make us partakers of celestial glory. Through, dec.

The Priest then adds this commemoration of the Third Sunday after Easter :

POSTCOMMUNION.

Sacramenta, qua* sumpsimu, qusesumus, Domine, et spiritualibus nos instaurent alimentis, et corporalibus tueantur auxiliis. Per Dominum.

May the Sacrament we have received, O Lord, both revive us with spiritual nourishment, and defend us by bodily succour. Through, do.

The following Gospel of the Third Sunday after Easter is read at the end of Mass.

Sequel of the Holy Gospel according to John.

Ch. XVI.

At that time : Jesus said to his disciples : A little while, and now yon shall not see me : and again a little while, and yon shall sea me; because I go to the Father. Then some of his disciples said one to another : What is this he saith to as: A little while, and yon shall not see me : and again a little while, and you shall see me, and because I go to the Father t They said therefore : What is this that he saith : A little while 9 we know not what he speaketh. And Jesus knew that they had a mind to ask him : and he said to them : Of this do you inquire among yourselves, because I said : a little while, and you shall not see me; and again, a little while, and you shall see me % Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into j oy. A woman when she is in labour, hath sorrow, because her hour is come : but when she hath brought forth the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. So also you now indeed have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your

Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem.

Gap. XVI.

In illo tempore : Dixit Jesus discipulis suis : Modicum, et jam non videbitis me, et iterum modicum, et videbitis me : quia vado ad Patrem. Dixerunt ergo ex discipulis ejus ad invicem : Quid est hoc, quod dicit nobis : Modicum, et non videbitis me, et iterum modicum, et videbitis me, et quia vado ad Patrem ? Dicebant ergo : Quid est hoc, quod dicit, Modicuml nescimusquid loquitur. Cognovit autem Jesus, quia volebant eum interrogare, et dixit eis: De hoc queritis inter vos, quia dixi, Modicum, et non videbitis me : et iterum modicum, et videbitis met Amen, amen dico vobis : quia plorabitis, et flebitis vos, mundus autem gaudebit : vos vero contristabimini, sedtristitiavestra vertetur in gaudium. Muliercum parit, tristitiam habet, quia venit hora ejus : cum autem pepererit puerum, jam non meminit pressure propter gaudium : quia natus est homo in mundum. Et vos igitnr nunc quidem tristitiam habetis ; iterum autem videbo vos, et gaudebit cor vestrum : et gaudium vestrum nemo toilet a vobis.

R7. Deo gratias. heart shall rejoice ; and your joy no man shall take from you.

I?. Thanks be to God.

VESPERS.

Ant. Jacob autem genuit Ant. begat Jovirum Mariae, de seph, qua natus est Jesus, qui vocatur Christus, alleluia.

But J acob Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ, alleluia. psalm, Dixit Dominua, page 92.

Ant. Missus est Angelus Ant. The Angel Gabriel

Gabriel, a Deo in civitatem was sent from God, into a city

Galilaeae cui nomen Naza- of Galilee called Nazareth, to reth, ad virginem despon- a Virgin, espoused to a man, aatam viro cui nomen erat whose name was Joseph, alle-

Joseph, alleluia. luia. psalm, Confitebor, page 93.

Ant. Ascendit autem Jo- Ant. But Joseph went up seph a Galilaea, de civitate from Galilee, out of the city

Nazareth, in Judaeam, in of Nazareth, into Judea, to civitatem David, quae voca- the city of David, which is tur Bethlehem, alleluia. called Bethlehem, alleluia. psalm, Beatus vir, page 94.

Ant. Et venerunt festi- Ant. And they came with nantes, et invenerunt Ma- haste, and they found Mary nam et Joseph et infantem and Joseph, and the Infant positum in praesepio. Alle- lying in the manger. Alleluia, luia, alleluia. alleluia. psalm, Laudate piwri, page 95.

Ant. Et ipse Jesus erat Ant. And Jesus himself incipiens quasi annorum tri- was beginning about the age of thirty years, being, as it ginta, ut putabatur, filiua was supposed, the son of Jo- Joseph, alleluia, seph, alleluia.

PSALM 116.

O praise the Lord, all ye Laudate Dominum om- nations : praise him all ye nes gentes : * laudate eum people. omnes populi.

For his mercy is confirmed Quoniam confirmata est upon us : and the truth of the supernosmisericordiaejus:*

Lord remaineth for ever. et Veritas Domini manet in seternum.

CAPITULUM. (Gen. XLIX.)

The blessings of thy father Benedictiones patris tui are strengthened with the confortatse sunt benedictio- blessings of his fathers, until nibus patrum ejus, donee the Desire of the everlasting veniret desideriuin collium hills shall come ; may they be aternorum ; fiant in capite upon the head of J oseph, and Joseph et in vertice Naza- upon the crown of the Naza- raei inter fratres suos. rite, among his brethren.

HYMN.*

May the heavenly host praise Te, Joseph, celebrent ag* thee, O Joseph! May the mina ccelitum ; choirs of Christendom resound Te cuncti resonent christia- with thy name, for great are dum chori, thy merits, who wast united Qui clarus meritis junctus by a chaste alliance to the es inclytae

Holy Virgin. Casto fcedere Virgini.

Seeing that thy Spouse was Almo cum turaidam ger- soon to be a Mother, a cruel mine Conjugem breve* Constituit eum dominum domus suae, * Alleluia, alleluia. Constituit. % Et principem omnis ionis suae. * Alleluia. Gloria Patri. Constituit.

• In the Monastic Bite, it is preceded by this Responaory : possess*

Admirans, dubio tangeris doubt afflicts thy heart ; but anxius, an Angel visits thee, telling

Afflatu superi Flaminis An- thee that she had conceived of gelus the Holy Ghost the Child she

Conceptum puerum do- bore in her womb, cet.

Tu natum Dominum stringis ; ad exteras iEgypti prof agum tu seque-

Where Jesus was born, thou hadst to take him in thine arms, and go with the little risplagas: fugitive to Egypt's distant

Amissum Solymis quaeris, land. When he was lost in etinvenis, Jerusalem, thou didst seek

Miscens gaudia fletibus, after him ; and having found him, thy tears were mingled with joy.

Post mortem reliquos mors pia consecrat, Palmamque emeritos gloria suscipit ;

Other saints receive their beatitude after death, when a holy death has crowned their life ; they receive their glory,

Tu viveus, Superis par, when they have won the palm : f rueris Deo, but thou, by a strangely nappy

Mira sorte beatior. lot, hadst, even during life, what the blessed have in heaven,— thou hadst the sweet society of thy God. Nobis, summa Trias, O Sovereign Trinity ! have parce precantibus, mercy on us thy suppliants, Da Joseph mentis sidera and may the intercession of scandera : J oseph aid us to reach heaven ;

Ut tandem liceat, nos tibi that there we may sing to thee perpetim, our eternal hymn of grateful

Gratum promere canti- love. Amen, cum. Amen.

"ft. Sub umbra illius quern % I sat down under his desideraveram sedi, alleluia, shadow, whom I desired, alleluia.

I9. Et fructus ejus dulcis 19. And his fruit was sweet gutturi meo, alleluia. to my palate, alleluia. antiphon of the Magnificat

Ant. Fili quid fecisti Ant. Son, why hast thou nobis sic 9 Ecce pater tuus done so to us ) Behold, thy et ego dolentes qusereba- father and I have sought thee mus te, alleluia. " sorrowing, alleluia.

LET tJS PRAY.

O God, who by thy unspeakable providence, didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the Spouse of thy most holy Mother; grant that, as we venerate him for our Protector on earth, we may deserve to be aided by his intercession in heaven. Wholivest,

OBEMUS.

Deus, qui ineffabili pro* videntia beatum Joseph sanctissimae Genitricis tu» sponsum eligere dignatua es, praesta, quaesumus ; ut, quern protectorem veneramur in terris, intercessorem habere mereamur in coelis. Qui vivis.

A commemoration is then made of the Third Sunday after Easter, by the following Antiphon, Versicle, and Prayer :

Ant. Amen, I say to you : that ye shall lament and weep : but the world shall rejoice, and ye shall be made sorrowful ; but your sorrow shall be turned into joy, alleluia. f. Stay with us, O Lord, alleluia.

^. For the evening cometh on, alleluia.

LET US PRAT.

O God, who showest the light of thy truth to such as go astray, that they may return to the way of righteousness : grant, that all, who profess the Christian name, may forsake whatever is contrary to that profession, and closely pursue what is agreeable to it. Through, <kc.

Ant. Amen dico vobis : quia plorabitis et flebitis vos: niundus autem gaudebit, vos vero contristabimini; sed tristitia vestra vertetur in gaudium, alleluia. jfr. Mane nobiscum, Domine, alleluia. ty. Quouiam advesperascit, alleluia.

OREMUS.

Deus, qui errantibus, ut in viain possint redire justitiae, veritatis tuae lumen ostendis ; da cunctis qui Christiana professions censentur, et ilia respuere quae huic inimica sunt nomini, et ea quae sunt apta sectari Per Dominum.

O glorious St. Joseph ! Father and Protector of the Faithful I we bless our Mother the Church, for that she, now that the world is drawing to the close of its existence, has taught us to confide in thee.

Many ages passed away, and thy glories had not been made known to the world; but even then, thou wast one of mankind's most powerful intercessors. Most affectionately didst thou fulfil thy office as head of the great human family, whereof the Incarnate Word was a member. Nations and individuals experienced the benefit of thy prayers ; but there was not the public acknowledgment of thy favours, — there was not the homage of gratitude, which is now offered to thee. The more perfect knowledge of thy glories, and, the honouring thee as the Protector of mankind, — these were reserved for our own unhappy times, when the state of the world is such as to require help beyond that which was granted to former ages. We come before thee, O Joseph ! to honour the unlimited power of thine intercession, and the love thou bearest for all the children of thy Church, the Brethren of Jesus.

Thou, 0 Mary! art pleased at seeing us honour him, whom thou didst so tenderly love. Never are our prayers so welcome to thee, as when they are presented to thee by his hands. The union, formed by heaven between thyself and Joseph, will last for all eternity; and the unbounded love thou hast for Jesus is an additional motive for thee to love him who was the Foster-father of thy Child, and the Guardian of thy Virginity. — 0 Joseph! we also are the children of Mary, thy Spouse ; treat us as such, bless us, watch over us, and receive the prayers which now more than ever, the Church encourages us to present to thee.

Thou art "the pillar of the world," — columen mundi ; thou art one of the foundations whereon it rests; because of thy merits and prayers, our Lord has patience with it, in spite of the iniquities which defile it. How truly may we say of these our times: There is now no saint; — truths are decayed from among the children of men ll How powerful then, must not thine intercession be, to avert the indignation of God, and induce him to show us his mercy! Grow not weary of thy labour, O thou universal Protector! The Church of thy Jesus comes before thee, on this day, beseeching thee to persevere in thy task of love. See this world of ours^ now it is become one great volcano of danger by the boasted liberty granted to sin and heresy! Delay not thine aid, but quickly procure for us what will give us security and peace.

Whatever may be our necessities, thou art willing and able to assist us. We may be the poorest and last among the children of the Church ; it matters not : thou loves t us with all the affectionate compassion of a Father. What a joy is not this to our hearts, 0 Joseph ! — We will therefore turn to thee in our spiritual wants. We will beg thee to assist us in the gaining the virtues we stand in need of, in the battles we have to fight against the enemies of our souls, and in the sacrifices which duty asks at our hands. Make us worthy to be called thy children, 0 thou Father of the Faithful ! Nor is thy power limited to what regards our eternal welfare ; daily experience shows us now readily thou canst procure for us the blessing of God upon our temporal interests, provided they are in accordance with his divine will, j Hence it is, that we hope for thy protection and aid in what concerns our worldly prospects. The house of Nazareth was confided to thy care ; deign to give counsel and help to all them that make thee the Patron of all that regards their earthly well-being.

Glorious Guardian of the Holy Family! the family of Christendom is placed under thy special Patronage ; watch over it in these troubled times. Hear the

1 Pa. xi. 2. prayers of them that seek thine aid, when about to choose the partner who is to share with them the joys and the sorrows of this world, and help them to prepare for their passage to eternity. Maintain between husbands and wives that mutual respect, which is the safeguard of their fidelity to each other. Obtain for tbem the pledge of heaven's blessings. Fill them with such reverence for the holy state to which they have been called, that they may never deserve the reproach given by St. Paul to certain married people of that day, whom he compares to heathens, who know not God.

Grant us, also, O Joseph, another favour. There is one moment of our lives, which is the most important of all, since eternity depends upon it : it is the moment of our Death. And yet we feel our fear abated by the thought, that God's mercy has made thee the Special Patron of the Dying. Thou hast been intrusted with the office of making Death happy and holy to those who invoke thee. To whom could, such a prerogative have been given more appropriately than to thee, O Joseph ! whose admirable death was one of the sublimest spectacles ever witnessed by Angels or by men, for Jesus and Mary were by thy side, as thou didst breathe forth thy soul. Be, then, our helper at that awful hour of our Death. We hope to have Mary's protection, for we daily pray to her that she would aid us at the hour of our Death ; but we know that Mary is pleased at our having confidence in thee, and that where thou art, ehe also is sure to be. Encouraged by thy fatherly love, O Joseph ! we will calmly await the coming of our last hour; for if we are careful in recommending it to thee, thou wilt not fail to take it under thy protection.

The gladness of to-day's Feast has been united

1 1 These, iv. 5. with the Paschal joy: still, it is but just, that the latter should have its own expression apart. We will, therefore, end the day by offering to our Risen Lord the following Preface : it is taken from the ancient Gothic Missal, published by Dom Mabillon.

CONTEST ATIO. (Jn die Sabbato, octava Paschce.)

It is. right and just, needful, and available to salvation, that mankind should, with all devotion, venerate thee, O Christ 1 admirable King ! as its God and Lord. — This is He, whose being condemned broke the chains that held countless believers in the prison of Limbo, and enrolled them under the Standard of Liberty. This is He, who was shown to the world as the Lion of the Tribe of Juda; and all the earth celebrates, with joy, the defeat of Satan, the lion that destroyed souls. This is He, who permitted his Body to be fastened with nails to the wood of the Cross, that the wicked spirit might know how great is the power he has to fear. When he cried out with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost, the earth shook, heaven trembled, day took flight, the sun was darkened, the stars hid their rays and disappeared. He descended into hell, broke its gates, and filled it with terror. He rose again, and the Angels rejoiced; let the earth, and they that dwell therein, be

Dignum et justum est ; necessarium et salutare est : ut te Dominum ac Deum totis visceribus human* conditio veneretur, Rex mirabilis Christe. Cujus condemnatione, tartareis vinculis absoluta credentium turba, libertatis insignia gratulatur. Qui vere ut Leo de tribu Juda mundo ostensus, animarum devoratorem exstinctum leonem diabolum omnis terra laetatur. Permittit se clavorum nexibus alligatum ad stipitem crucis teneri : ut non sit. parva, quam impius quondam expavescat, potentia. Ad cujus vocem, emittens spiritum, terra tremuit, ccelum expavit, dies fugit, sol obscuratus est, astra abscondentia radios suos, simul omnia migraverunt. Cujus descensu, confractis portis, luget In - fernum. Quo resurgente, laetantur Angeli; exsultat terra cum habitatoribus suis. In quo triumpho, conspicitur comitatio ilia prophetico ore promissa : Ero mors tua, o Inferne. Ubi est ergo victoria tua!

Nec enim ab alio poterat, trinisi a vita mors devorari. umph Qui descensu suo eos qui tenebantur a inorte, superis reddidit resurgendo : 0 ut ejus resurrectio vivorum vel mortuorum testimonio firmaretur. glad. It was in this his that was seen what the Prophet had foretold, when he said : I will be thy death, Hell ! Where, then, is thy victory? For Death could not be destroyed save by Life, Christ having descended to them that were captives of Death, he restored them to Life by his Resurrection, which was thus attested by both the living and the dead.