Mass for the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker
May 1
Entrance Song
Happy are all who fear the Lord and walk in his ways. You shall enjoy the fruits of you labor; you will prosper and be happy. - Psalm 128:1-2
Opening Prayer:
God, our Father,
Creator and ruler of the universe,
in every age you call us
to develop and use our gifts for the good of others.
With Saint Joseph as our example and guide,
help us to do the work you have asked
and come to the rewards you have promised.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Reading
Genesis 1:26-2:3
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." And God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all his work which he had done in creation.
or
Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-24
Put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others, knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 90
R. Lord, give success to the work of our hands.
Before the mountains were begotten
and the earth and the world were brought forth,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
R. Lord, give success to the work of our hands.
You turn man back to dust,
saying, "Return, O children of men."
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. Lord, give success to the work of our hands.
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Let your work be seen by your servants,
and your glory by their children.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Gospel Acclamation
Blessed be the Lord day by day, God, our salvation, who carries us. - Psalm 68-20
Gospel Reading
Matthew 13:54-58
Coming to his own country Jesus taught them in the synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brethen James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
Lord God,
fountain of all mercy,
look upon our gifts on this feast of St. Joseph.
Let our sacrifice
become the protection of all who call on you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Preface of St. Joseph:
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do
well always and everywhere to give you thanks
as
we honor Saint Joseph.
He is that just man,
that wise and loyal servant,
whom you placed at the head of your family.
With
a husband’s love he cherished Mary,
the virgin
Mother of God.
With fatherly care he watched
over Jesus Christ your Son,
conceived by the power
of the Holy Spirit.
Through Christ the choirs of angels
and all the
powers of heaven
praise and worship your glory.
May our voices blend with theirs
as we join in their
unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy:
Communion Antiphon:
Let everything you do or say be in the name of the Lord with thanksgiving to God, alleluia. - Colossians 3:17
Prayer after Communion
Lord,
her the prayers of this you nourish in this Eucharist
inspired by the example of Saint Joseph
may our lives manifest your love;
may we rejoice forever in your peace.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.