XXI. HYMN TO ST. JOSEPH. I. Hail! holy Joseph, hail! Husband of Mary, hail! Chaste as the lily flower In Eden's peaceful vale. II. Hail! holy Joseph, hail! Father of Christ esteemed ! Father be thou to those Thy Foster-Son redeemed. Hail! holy Joseph, hail! Prince of the house of God, May His best graces be By thy sweet hands bestowed. IV. Hail! holy Joseph, hail! Comrade of angels, hail! Cheer thou the hearts that faint, And guide the steps that fail. V. Hail! holy Joseph, hail! God's choice wert thou alone; To thee the Word made flesh Was subject as a Son. K VI. Hail! holy Joseph, hail! Teach us our flesh to tame, And, Mary, keep the hearts That love thy husband's name. VII. Mother of Jesus! bless, And bless, ye Saints on high, All meek and simple souls That to Saint Joseph cry. Amen. XXII. THE PATRONAGE OF ST. JOSEPH. I. Dear Husband of Mary! dear Nurse of her Child! Life's ways are full weary, the desert is wild; Bleak sands are all round us, no home can we see ; Sweet Spouse of our Lady! we lean upon thee. II. For thou to the pilgrim art Father and Guide, III. O blessed Saint Joseph ! how great was thy worth, The Father of Jesus-ah! then wilt thou be, IV. Thou hast not forgotten the long dreary road, When Mary took turns with thee, bearing thy God; Yet light was that burden, none lighter could be: Sweet Spouse of our Lady! O canst thou bear me? V. A cold thankless heart and a mean love of ease, What weights, blessed Patron! more galling than these? |