LISTEN to a Beautiful Medieval Hymn Honoring St. Joseph - Joseph of Heaven - Caelitum Ioseph

 

Written by Fr. Juan Escollar (d. 1700), this hymn was formerly used at Matins for the feast of St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary (March 19). It is still used for this feast, but for Lauds instead. It is also the hymn for Lauds for the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker on May 1. Let’s pray to St Joseph, ‘the quiet man’, that we become good listeners and discerners of the Holy Spirit in seeking a common path forward for our Church as it continues to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to our world. Words accompany a medieval tune:

 Lyrics in Latin: Caelitum Ioseph, decus atque nostrae certa spes vitae columenque mundi, quas tibi laeti canimus, benignus suscipe laudes. Te, satum David, statuit Creator Virginis sponsum, voluitque Verbi te patrem dici, dedit et ministrum esse salutis. 

English Translation: Joseph of heaven, the glory and ours sure hope of life and mainstay of the world which we sing joyfully to you, kindly receive praises. You, born of David, Chosen by the Creator to be the Bridegroom of the Virgin : whom the Word Wanted to call a father and a minister  of salvation.