7.
EAMPLE of holy living, glorious St. Joseph, when through no fault of thine, thou didst lose Jesus, the holy Child, thou didst search for Him with great sorrow for three days, until with joy unspeakable thou didst find Him, who was thy life, amidst the doctors in the Temple.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee with our whole hearts so to interpose always in our behalf, that we may never lose Jesus by mortal sin, and if we are at any time so wretched as to lose Him, lead us back with unwearied sorrow until we find Him, particularly in the hour of our death, that we may pass from this life to enjoy Him forever in heaven, there to sing with thee His divine mercies forever and ever. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.
Ant. Jesus Himself was about thirty years old, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph.
V. Pray for us, holy Joseph.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
O GOD, Who in Thy ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may have him whom we venerate as our protector on earth, as our intercessor in heaven. Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
(Ind. of 100 days, once a day; 300 days on every Wednesday. — Pius IX. March 22, 1847.)
