Joseph, Wise Ruler of God’s Earthly Household

Nearest of All Men to the Heart of Jesus

Joseph, Wise Ruler of God's Earthly Household is set to the tune: Diva Servatrix, from the Bayeux Antiphoner of 1739. It can also be sung to the tune: Christe Sanctorum, as featured in the following video. In the Divine Office it is used on Feast Days of St. Joseph, such as March 19th.


Tune: Christe Sanctorum

Joseph, the Scriptures Love to Trace

The Glories of Thy Kingly Line

Joseph, the Scriptures Love to Trace is used in the Divine Office for Feast Days of St. Joseph, such as May 1: St. Joseph the Worker. The recommended musical setting is the hymn tune: Aimable Enfant. An alternative tune that can also be used is Duke Street, as featured in the following video.


Tune: Duke Street

Look Down to Us, Saint Joseph

Protector of Our Lord

Look Down to Us, Saint Joseph was written by Sulpician Priest, Fr. Michael Gannon. It was first published in 1964, and included in the People's Mass Book of 1966. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Look Down to Us, Saint Joseph is used on March 19th, the Solemnity of Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The recommended musical setting is to the 1539 tune: Holland. An alternative tune that can be used is Aurelia, as featured in the following video.


Alternative Tune: Aurelia

Joseph of Nazareth

Painting by Guido Reni - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Joseph of Nazareth, first published in 1972 was written by Canadian Stephen Somerville. Composer and musician, he is the author of a number of hymns and psalm canticle settings. In the 1970's he was a member of the Advisory Board of the International Commission on English Liturgy (I.C.E.L.),  the body responsible for the translation of the original Latin Mass into the Novus Ordo Missae. He would eventually resign his post and become an outspoken critic of the New Mass. In 2004 he was suspended from the priesthood by the Archbishop of Toronto. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Joseph of Nazareth is used on the Feast of the Holy Family and on March 19th, the Solemnity of Joseph, Husband of the BVM. An alternative tune that can be used is the melody from Genevan 22, as featured in the following video.

Alternative Tune: Genevan 22 (non-instrumental)