For the feast of St. Joseph (Thursday), Mary probably wouldn't mind a bit if we tweaked the Angelus meditation this week to remember the important role her spouse played in the work of redemption, and the Annunciation he also received.
Joseph was the man closest to Christ throughout his formative years. He helped "form" Jesus for his messianic vocation. The "St. Joseph Angelus" honors him for this, using (as does the more typical Angelus prayer) the words of Scripture:
The Angel of the Lord declared unto Joseph--
--And he did as the Angel instructed him.
Have no fear to take Mary your wife into your home--
--for she has conceived by the Holy Spirit.
She is to bring forth a Son--
--and you are to name him Jesus.
Pray for us, O Blessed Joseph,
--that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that by Saint Joseph's intercession
your Church may constantly watch over
the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation,
whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
The Angel of the Lord declared unto Joseph--
--And he did as the Angel instructed him.
Have no fear to take Mary your wife into your home--
--for she has conceived by the Holy Spirit.
She is to bring forth a Son--
--and you are to name him Jesus.
Pray for us, O Blessed Joseph,
--that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that by Saint Joseph's intercession
your Church may constantly watch over
the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation,
whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
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| The Annunciation to Joseph, by Sieger Koder |
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