Christ Before Me

From Gate of Heaven, Part Ii: Patron of the Universal Church
Mary Oberle Hubley

O Saint Joseph, Man of God!
You husband of Mary and father of her Son,
you Patron Saint of the Universal Church!

Joseph, loving husband of your wife.
you shared in the wonders of holiness

Joseph, you fathered the beginning of the Church.
With Mary you awaited the Messiah’s birth.

Joseph loving Mary’s unborn Child,
you affirmed the sanctity of human life.

Joseph, head of your holy Family,
with Mary you saw into eternity

Joseph, happy as a father could be,
you bounced Divinity up on your knee.

Joseph, you would rock to sleep
the infant Lord of the Universe.

Joseph, you made a cradle of wood
that the Son of God may lay His Baby Head.

Joseph, protector of human life,
you fled to Egypt to protect your child.

Joseph, you upheld the right to life;
you condemned the slaughter of the Innocents.

Joseph and Mary side by side,
you taught the Word Incarnate.

Joseph, you would fashion toys for the
Child who fashioned all Creation.

Joseph, you by the sweat of your brow,
did feed and care for the Lord of Life.

Joseph, gaily on your shoulders, you would bear the Boy
who in His manhood would bear the world.

Joseph, worker, plying your trade, you were
known as a carpenter of honesty.

Joseph, known as a man of few words,
as a man of justice and humility.

Joseph, patron of a Happy Death He
Whom the world cannot contain did comfort you.

Go to Joseph people of God!
Go to Joseph and learn of his fidelity.