INTRODUCTORY RITES
Entrance Psalm or Hymn
As the ministers go in procession to the entrance of the sanctuary, the congregation stands and sings either the following Psalm (A) or Hymn (B):
(A) Psalm 62:2-4, 6-9
My soul rests in God alone
from whom comes my salvation.
God alone is my rock and salvation,
my secure height; I shall never fail.
My soul be at rest in God alone,
from whom comes my hope.
God alone is my rock and my salvation,
my secure height; I shall not fail.
My safety and glory are with God,
my strong rock and my refuge.
Trust God at all times, my people!
Pour out your hearts to God our refuge!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever.
OR:
(B) An Appropriate Hymn
Entrance Dialogue
Cel: I have entered your house, O Lord, and have worshiped before your throne. O King of heaven, forgive all my sins.
Cong: O King of heaven, forgive all our sins.
Cel: Pray to the Lord for me.
Cong: May the Lord accept your offering and have mercy on us through your prayer.
Doxology
Cel: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
Cong: Amen.
Opening Prayer
Cel: Make us worthy, O Lord God, to stand before you with pure hearts and to believe in your birth from a virgin, as Joseph, your chosen one, believed after you revealed your mystery to him. As you appointed the angel in the Garden of Eden to guard the tree of life, so have you chosen Joseph and appointed him guardian of your Virgin Mother in whom you dwelt. Grant us, O Lord, to taste the cherished fruit of your tree, so that we may glorify you, your holy Father, and you blessed Spirit, now and for ever.
Cong: Amen.
Greeting
Cel: Peace be with the Church and her children
Hymn of the Angels
Cong: Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth and good will to all.
PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS (HOOSOYO)
Proemion
Cel: To the praise and glory of the Most Holy Trinity.
Cel: May we be worthy to praise, confess, and glorify the glorious Son, who sent the angel Gabriel to righteous Joseph; the eternal Light, who dwelt in the womb of the pure virgin; Christ, the good One, to whom are due glory and honor on this feast and all the days of our lives, and for ever.
Cong: Amen.
Sedro
Cel: Is there any lofty place like yours, O honorable and righteous Joseph? You served the Lord and his mother and were their constant companion both day and night. You carried on your arm the One who carries the whole world, and you supported the One who supports all people. You spoke with the eternal Word, and you were the guardian of his mother, the blessed Virgin, betrothed to you in purity. O mystery of Jacob realized! O true and perfect dream come true! How blessed are you among the saints. For this reason, we cry out and day: Hail to you, O blessed angel who accompanied the Savior and defended him from all misfortune! Hail to you, O virgin who cared for the Virgin, the daughter of the Father and the spouse of the Holy Spirit! Hail to you, O luminous star in the heavenly Church! You guide her children along the right path. O innocent and righteous Joseph, we now petition you with the clouds of incense that we raise: intercede for us with the Lord whom you served throughout your life. Implore him to watch over us in this world and to keep us from the misfortune of soul and body. And we will glorify the life-giving Holy Trinity, now and for ever.
Cong: Amen.
Hymn
The congregation sits and hymn (A) or (B) is then sung.
Hymn (A)
Cong: Wake up, Joseph! Do not be doubtful of this conception, for the conceiving Mary remains Virgin, yet she is the Mother of the Son of God and his living Word.
You will foster the One before whose fire the angels cover their faces. Mary is the image of his holy of holies, and you are the serving pontiff.
As a pleasing fragrance, receiver our prayer and offer it to the king of kings. By the confidence you enjoy with her, may we sinners obtain his reconciliation.
OR
Hymn (B)
Cong: Righteous Joseph has become the father of the family. Behold, the mother of the family is a spotless virgin! the words of Isaiah are accomplished - God is with us.
Blessed Joseph is seized with wonder. How amazing are the ways of God! Mary, his spouse, is virgin and mother - God is with us.
And pure Mary, what can she say? The power of God rests upon her, and she is amazed. She is virgin and mother - God is with us.
O blessed Joseph, how can we respond? Amazement robs us of our words. Teach us your love for God and show us his mystery - God is with us.
Etro
Cel: O Blessed Fragrance who has filled the whole universe, you have removed doubt from Joseph’s heart and have confirmed the pregnancy of Mary. Accept our incense and grant peace to our souls and rest to our dead. We will glorify you, now and for ever.
Cong: Amen.
Trisagion
The congregation stands and the Trisagion is then sung three times.
Cel: Holy are you, O God. Holy are you, O Strong One. Holy are you, O Immortal One.
Cong: Have mercy on us.
Cel: O holy and immortal Lord, sanctify our minds and purify our consciences, that we praise you with pure hearts and listen to your Holy Scriptures. To you be glory, for ever.
Cong: Amen.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
Psalm of the Readings
All sit for the psalm of the readings. Either (A) or (B) may be used.
(A)
Cong: Righteous Joseph, God’s chosen one, is filled with wonder at the mystery which dwells in Mary.
Cel: The heart of Joseph was in God. A light rose from his heart and revealed the mystery in a dream.
Cong: O blessed patron, friend of open hearts, teach us to live according to the inspirations of the Spirit.
OR
(B)
Cong: Joseph was doubtful about the conception of faithful Mary. He planned to dismiss her as a sinner and adulterer.
Cel: The angel appeared to him in a dream and announced, saying: Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid. He who dwells in her is the Lord of all.
Cong: You accepted the offerings made by the righteous, Lord. Now accept our offering, comfort us, and be attentive to our prayers.
Reading(s)
Reader: A reading from the ...
The reader then asks for the celebrant’s blessing:
Reader: Father, give your blessing.
The celebrant blesses the reader. The reader then continues:
Reader: Brothers and sisters ...
The reader concludes the reading by singing or saying:
Reader: Praise be to God always!
Alleluia
Meanwhile, the congregation stands and sings:
Cong: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Cantor: “He made her overseer in his house and over all that he had.” (Matthew 39:4)
Cong: Alleluia!
Gospel
Deacon: Before the good news of our Savior, announcing life to us all, let us offer this incense. O Lord, we ask for your mercy.
The celebrant burns incense while two subdeacons (servers) hold lighted candles on each side of the Book of Gospels.
Cel: Peace be with you.
Cong: And also with you.
Cel: Let us be attentive to the gospel of life and salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded by the (evangelist Mark/Luke) (apostle Matthew/John).
The celebrant incenses the Book of Gospels three times. Meanwhile, the deacon proclaims:
Deacon: Remain silent, O Listeners, for the holy gospel is about to be announced to you. Listen and give glory and thanks to the living Word of God.
The celebrant begins the gospel using one of the following:
A. When the words of the Lord begin the reading: The Lord Jesus said...
B. When the gospel is from Mark or Luke: The Evangelist said...
C. When the gospel is from Matthew or John: The Apostles said...
At the conclusion of the gospel, he sings or says:
Cel: This is the truth. Peace be with you.
Cong: Praise and blessings to Jesus Christ for his living word to us.
Homily
The congregation sits. The celebrant then gives a homily based on the readings and the liturgy of the day.
Creed
At the conclusion of the homily, the congregation stands and sings or says the Creed.
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, light from light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered, died, and ware buried.
On the third day he rose again
in fulfillment of the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
with the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified,
He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
The liturgy continues with the Pre-Anaphora