Feast of St Joseph the Worker

Before the Calendar reform of Ven. Pope Pius XII in 1955, today was the Feast of St Philip and St James, Apostles. It is also International Labour Day, a major holiday for nazis (who called it 'National' Labour Day), communists, socialists, and anarchists. Venerable Pius created this Feast honouring St Joseph as a workingman in order to counteract the radical left.

Interestingly, in the General Roman Calendar of 1960, which is the Calendar followed by the FSSP, SSPX, and other Traditional Institutes and Orders, and which I follow also, this is a First Class Feast, the highest rank. In the General Roman Calendar of 1969, followed by the Novus Ordo, it is an Optional Memorial, the lowest rank. Could it be that it was downgraded in order to placate Paul's friends in the communist movement?

The Hymn at Lauds of his Office:

O dawn announcing the sun
Beginning the month of flowering;
The workman's resounding hammer
Salutes the home at Nazareth.

Hail, head of the household
Beneath whom is the supreme Artificer;
Who, bedewed with salty sweat,
Exercises his father's trade.

He was placed on a high seat
nearest to his Noble Spouse;
be near now to all thy clients
who are troubled by indigency.

Strength and strife be absent!
and all defrauding of wages;
May copious nourishment of food
be limited only by moderation.

O Trinity, O Unity,
by the prayers of Joseph;
Direct in peace
all our steps and our path. 
Amen.

And, the Collect from his feast:

God, Creator of all things, who didst lay on the human race the law of labour: graciously grant; that by following the example of Saint Joseph and under his patronage, we may carry out the work thou dost command, and obtain the reward thou dost promise.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
R. Amen