May 1: SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER.
MASS PRAYERS AND PROPER READINGS
The feast of Saint Joseph the Worker was instituted in 1955 by Pope Pius XII and is celebrated on May 1, which is the day when labor is honored in many countries. In the Gospel Jesus was called “the son of the carpenter”. This feast reminds us that honest work, no matter how seemingly menial, can be sanctified. Through work, we can sanctify ourselves and others, making each of us participants in the work of redemption.
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, and walk in his ways! By the labor of your hands you shall eat; blessed are you, and blessed will you be, alleluia.
[–» Greeting]
COLLECT
O God, Creator of all things, who laid down for the human race the law of work, grant graciously that by the example of Saint Joseph and under his patronage, we may complete the works you set us to do and attain the rewards you promise. Through our Lord.
READING I
Gen 1:26–2:3 [or Col 3:14–15, 17, 23–24]
Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.” God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.” God also said: “See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food.” And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed — the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed. Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation.
[–» Responsorial Psalm]
Or:
Col 3:14–15, 17, 23–24
And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. And be thankful. Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others, knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. Lord, give success to the work of our hands.
Before the mountains were born
or the earth or the world brought forth,
you are God, without beginning or end.
R. Lord, give success to the work of our hands.
You turn men back into dust and say:
‘Go back, sons of men.’
To your eyes a thousand years are like yesterday,
come and gone, no more than a watch in the night.
R. Lord, give success to the work of our hands.
Make us know the shortness of our life
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Lord, relent! Is your anger for ever?
Show pity to your servants.
R. Lord, give success to the work of our hands.
In the morning, fill us with your love;
we shall exult and rejoice all our days.
Show forth your work to your servants;
let your glory shine on their children.
R. Lord, give success to the work of our hands.
ALLELUIA
Blessed be the Lord day after day, the God who saves us and bears our burdens.
GOSPEL
Mt 13:54–58
He came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
O God, fount of all mercy, look upon our offerings, which we bring before your majesty in commemoration of Saint Joseph, and mercifully grant that the gifts we offer may become the means of protection for those who call upon you. Through Christ our Lord.
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Whatever you do in word or in deed, do everything in the Name of the Lord, giving thanks to God, alleluia.
[–» Communion]
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Having fed upon heavenly delights, we humbly ask you, O Lord, that, by Saint Joseph’s example, cherishing in our hearts the signs of your love, we may ever enjoy the fruit of perpetual peace. Through Christ our Lord.
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Thanks and God bless you and your loved ones! Fr. Rolly Arjonillo.