Image of Joseph

I advance, I present my supplication to you, O Lord God, and I humble myself before you, prostrating on my knee, as I recount a small portion from the memory of the blessed Joseph, which awakens me at the time of dawn and makes me joyful in the evening, before your face where the angel appears.

Salutation to the memory of your name, the grace of lips and tongue. A tale of joy for the ear, and a bridal ornament for the eye. The days of Joseph’s exile, and the time of his delight of fortune. As though they had poured out for your love a wine. From the heart of the master and the servant, sorrow is erased.

Salām to the hair of your head, which anointed the neck. Anointing of fragrance and of cultivation. Abundant mercy, O Joseph; to your mercy I have glorified. Make me a stranger to the father of blood, and make me forget the forgetfulness. So that I may not meet him on the road, having been armed.

Salām to your neck, the cedar of prophecy and of likeness. In the river of the Torah, which is deep, and in the spring of the New Testament. Joseph, the swimmer in the midst of all the mighty. Arm me with your weapons and with your sword, merciful. For repeatedly he has bound me to kill.

Salām I say, at each of his fullness, and his name. For the softness of your flesh, all of it, with his sinews and his blood. Joseph, beloved in the presence of Jesus and his mother. The deed of wickedness, if it stands over me. Their covenant is woven, and their counsel is high.

Salām to the departure of your soul, without pain and corruption. You have fulfilled the law of the canon. You have been buried, Joseph, for the sake of Mary, daughter of Ḥannā. In scarcity and destitution, my years have become. Lift me up in a cloud to your city, Sinai.

Salām to the burial of your body, whose entombment is a marvel. You are sealed with the word of the Gospel and honored with the vestment of priesthood. Joseph, you have been established on the mountain of the city of salvation. My poverty and my misery in the day of affliction and distress, when the father of blood, the stranger, sheltered me.

Salām to your tomb, whose sealing is a marvel. By the strength of your bones, Joseph, for the firmness of the foundation of the sanctuary is strong, while they enclose it continually and share its weight. Like the tomb of George of Lydda, kings bring gifts to it.

O Yosef, I have come to you while I am in distress. I have entrusted to you my faith in your sanctuary, which is upon its decree. And you, in the abundance of your grace, as is your custom, grant me my request, each one individually, so that my mind may be as its decree.