St. Joseph of Nazareth was the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the earthly father of Jesus, and a descendant of King David. The English Reformers likely felt his commemoration on the Sunday after Christmas meant that his Feast in March could be removed from the Calendar, however, Anglicans began to recognize his feast once more in the 20th Century.
The following is taken from:
- The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Anglican Church of Canada, Anglican Book Centre, Toronto © The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, 1962, Used without permission.
- The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Edited by Francis Burgess, originally produced by the Plainchant and Mediaeval Music Society, Royal School of Church Music, Dorking.
Antiphon: Psalm 92 The righteous shall flourish like a palm-tree: and shall spread abroad like a cedar in Libanus: such as are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God.
Verse: Ibid It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord: and to sing praises unto thy Name, O most Highest.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Repeat the Antiphon The righteous shall flourish ...
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 209-216
O God Most High, who from the family of thy servant David didst raise up Joseph the carpenter to be protector of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Lord: Grant that we may so labour in our earthly vocations, that they may become labours of love and service offered unto thee, our Father; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 319
Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors and governors, until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because Ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Galatians 4.1-7 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 113
Psalm 21 Thou hast prevented him with the blessings of goodness: thou hast set a crown of pure gold upon his head. He asked life of thee, and thou gavest him a long life: yea, even for ever and ever.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 209-216
Psalm 112. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he hath great delight in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the faithful shall be blessed. Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 209-216
The birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost: and she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins. (Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a Virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, And they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.) Then Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife; and knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born son: and he called his name JESUS.
Matthew 1:18-25 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 114
Psalm 89 My truth also and my mercy shall be with him: and in my Name shall his horn be exalted.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 209-216
Upon All Saints’ Day and other Festivals of Saints.
Who in the multitude of thy Saints hast compassed us about with so great a cloud of witnesses, that we, rejoicing in their fellowship, may run with patience the race that is set before us, and together with them may receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away. Therefore with Angels, etc.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 81
St. Matthew 1. Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 209-216