“a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands.”
(Rev 7:9).

During the Lenten season we commemorate two Saints special to the congregation: Patrick and Joseph.

In life they endured hardship, dreamt, forgave, pursued peace, and spread the faith, may they continue to be examples of faith for our time.

Opening Hymn (stand)
TM 736 vs. 1, 2, 3 For all the Saints

Antiphon 1
All: When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. (Mt. 1:24)

Ps 113:1-9
SJ: Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.

BVM: From the rising of the sun to its setting
let the name of the LORD be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens God’s glory.

SJ: Who is like the LORD, our God
enthroned on high, looking down on heaven and earth?

BVM: The LORD raises the needy from the dust,
lifts the poor from the ash heap,
Seats them with princes,
the princes of the people,
Gives the childless wife a home,
the joyful mother of children.

SJ: Glory to you, Source of all Being,
Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit,
As in the beginning, so now, and will be forever. Amen.

All: When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.(Mt. 1:24).

(Thought for silent reflection)

He was called the man of silence. Joseph never utters one word in the Gospels. But his actions toward his wife and the son he raises as his own give eloquent witness to his faith. Joseph’s obedience to God is the very definition of fidelity. When God’s messenger speaks, Joseph accepts a woman with child as his wife. He moves to Egypt and back again as he is bidden. When God speaks, there isn’t much left to say. Our answer is our next decision.

(A Book of Grace-Filled Days 2009)

Antiphon 2
All: Sing praises to God on the lyre and the harp.

Ps 146: 2-10
BVM: Praise the LORD, my soul;
I shall praise the LORD all my life,
sing praise to my God while I live.

SJ: I put no trust in princes,
in mere mortals powerless to save.
When they breathe their last,
they return to the earth;
that day all their planning comes to nothing.

BVM: Happy those whose help is Jacob’s God,
whose hope is in the LORD, their God,
The maker of heaven and earth,
the seas and all that is in them,
Who keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.

SJ: The LORD sets prisoners free;
the LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.

BVM: The LORD protects the stranger,
sustains the orphan and the widow,
but thwarts the way of the wicked.

SJ: The LORD shall reign forever,
your God, Zion, through all generations!

BVM: Glory to you, Source of all Being,
Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit,
As in the beginning, so now, and will be forever. Amen.

All: Sing praises to God on the lyre and the harp..

(time for silent reflection)

As you look at the shamrock, reflect on these words of St. Patrick. “I arise today with the power of the Trinity… through faith in threeness… through trust in oneness.” What do these words mean to you?

Antiphon 3

All: Joseph did as God told him
and took Mary as his wife.

Ephesians 1:3-10
SJ: Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.

BVM: In love he destined us
for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.

SJ: In him we have redemption by his blood,
the forgiveness of transgressions,
in accord with the riches of his grace
that he lavished upon us.

BVM: In all wisdom and insight,
he has made known to us the mystery of his will
in accord with his favor that he set forth in him
as a plan for the fullness of times,
to sum up all things in Christ,
in heaven and on earth.

SJ: Glory to you, Source of all Being,
Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit,
As in the beginning, so now, and will be forever. Amen.

All: Joseph did as God told him
and took Mary as his wife. (time for silent reflection)

Meditation Song:

Hail, Glorious St. Patrick (CD)

Hail, glorious Saint Patrick dear saint of our isle,
On us Thy poor children bestow a weak smile;
And now thou art high in the mansions above,
On Erin’s green valleys look down on they love.
Thy people, now exiles on many a shore,
Shall love and revere Thee till time be no more;
And the fire Thou hast kindled shall ever burn bright,
Its warmth undiminished, undying its light,
Ever bless and defend the sweet land of our birth,
Where the shamrock still blooms as when Thou were on earth,
And our hears shall yet burn, wheresoever we roam
For God and St. Patrick, and our native home.
(For God and St. Patrick from Faith our Fathers CD, Irish Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus)
Reading:
Responsory:
Leader: You spoke your word to Joseph and Patrick and they fulfilled your will.

Leader: You blessed him with holiness
All: and they fulfilled your will.

Leader: Glory to you, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit, as in the beginning, so now, and will be forever. Amen.

All: You spoke your word to Joseph and Patrick
And they fulfilled your will. (STAND)

Canticle of Mary:

#711 Mary’s Song

Intercessions: (after each petition we say the following)
Deliver us by your wonders,
and bring glory to your name O Lord… (Daniel 3:43)

Our Father

Closing Prayer
All: O God, you gave Joseph the ineffable joy of joining Mary in caring for the child, Jesus. Through his intercession, grant us the grace to nurture the life of Christ in our lives.

We celebrate in Patrick your gifts of holiness, service, and leadership. May he continue to call us to a deeper faith and to a renewed zeal for living and sharing the gospel.

Help us through the example of your saints to guide and support one another in truth and in love, and so build up the body of your church. We ask this in the name of Jesus who lives with you, Source of all Being, and with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Holy Family Hymn
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, help us!
That we ever true may be, to the promises that bind us to the Holy Family!

Joseph, thou wert called the father
of thy Savior and thy God!
Thou didst save the infant Savior
from the cruel Herod’s sword!
Refrain