Saint Joseph - Jouzourounajouzourouna.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/St-Joseph...NOVENA TO ST....

1/24/13 St Joseph Prayers

www.willingshepherds.org/Saint Joseph Prayers.html#2 novena 1/40

St. Joseph Chaplet(For Free St. Joseph Chaplet, Please Contact us)MemorareNovena to St. JosephPrayer to Obtain a Special Favor throughSaint Joseph30 Days' Prayer to St. JosephPrayer to St. Joseph for PurityPrayer to St. Joseph the WorkmanA Powerful Novena to St. JosephPrayer to Obtain a ConversionTo Thee, O Blessed Joseph (Ad te Beate Ioseph)

The Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St.

Prayer of St. Pope Pius XPrayer for a who has a LaboriousOccupationPetitions for St. Joseph's BlessingPrayer of May 1stPrayer of Confidence in Saint JosephPraises of St. JosephInvocations of St. JosephPrayer of Parents to the Holy FamilyPrayer for PriestMorning Offering through St. JosephAct of Consecration to St. Joseph

Home| About Us | My Catholic Faith| Catholicism 101| St. Joseph |Tridentine Rite| Chapel Fund|Vocations

Prayers |Dominican Saints |Rosary & Scapular|Rosary Enrollment | Sins to Confess| Advocacy|Donations

Free Sacramentals| Online Newsletter | Links | Search | Contact Us| Disclaimer

Saint JosephPatron of the Willing Shepherds of Jesus Christ

http://www.willingshepherds.org/St.%20Joseph%20Chaplet.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Memorare

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Novena to Saint Joseph

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Special Favors

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#30 Day

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Purity

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Workman

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#2 novena

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Conversion

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#To Thee Blessed Joseph

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#To Thee Blessed Joseph

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Seven Sorrows

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Pius X

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Laborious

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Josephs Blessing

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#May 1

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Confidence

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Praises

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Invocations

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Holy Family Prayer

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Priest

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Morning Offereing

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Act of C

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Willing%20Shepherds%20of%20Jesus%20Christ%20HOME.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/About%20us%20and%20our%20Mission.html

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Doctrine.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Catholicism%20101.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/St.%20Joseph.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Mass.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Chapel%20Fund.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Vocations.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Prayers.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Lives%20of%20the%20Saints.html

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Lives%20of%20the%20Saints.html

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Rosary.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Rosary%20Enrollment.html

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Examination.html

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Examination.html

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Advocacy.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Donations.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Free%20sacramentals.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Online%20Newsletter.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Online%20Newsletter.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Links.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/search.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Contact%20Us.htm

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Disclaimer.htm



JosephThe Devotion of the Seven SundaysPrayers in Honor of the Sorrows and Joys ofSt. JosephPrayer for a Happy DeathPrayer and Promise to St. JosephPrayer for the Church and the PopeLitany of Saint Joseph

The Nine First WednesdaysDaily Devotions to St. JosephPrayer for a Happy DeathPrayer to St. Joseph before Mass and HolyCommunionChaplet of St. JosephThe Cord of Saint Joseph

THE LITANY OF SAINT JOSEPH

For public or private use.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary , pray for us . Saint Joseph, pray for us.

Illustrious son of David, etc. Light of the patriarchs,

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Seven Sorrows

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Seven Sundays

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Prayers Seven

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Happy Daeth

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Prayer and Promise

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Church pope

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Litany to St Joseph

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#First Wednesdays

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Daily Devotions

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Happy Daeth

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Before Mass

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Chaplet

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saint%20Joseph%20Prayers.html#Cord



Spouse of the Mother of God, Chaste guardian of the Virgin,

Foster-father of the Son of God, Watchful defender of Christ,

Head of the Holy Family, Joseph most just,

Joseph most chaste, Joseph most prudent, Joseph most valiant,

Joseph most obedient, Joseph most faithful, Mirror of patience, Lover of poverty,

Model of workmen , Glory of domestic life,

Guardian of virgins, Pillar of families,

Solace of the afflicted, Hope of the sick,

Patron of the dying, Terror of demons,

Protector of Holy Church,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

V. He made him the lord of His household, R. And prince over all His possessions.

Let Us Pray.

O God, Who in Thine ineffable providence didst choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most HolyMother, grant that as we venerate him as our protector on earth, we may deserve to have him as our

intercessor in Heaven, Thou Who livest and reignest forever and ever. R. Amen.

NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH

O glorious St. Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to thee do we raise our hearts andhands to implore thy powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign Heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporalwelfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special favor we now implore (stateyour petition). O Guardian of the Word Incarnate, we have confidence that thy prayers on our behalf will be



graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen. (Then say the following seven times in honor of the seven sorrows and joys of St. Joseph.) V. O Glorious St. Joseph! Through thy love for Jesus Christ and for the glory of His Name, R. Hear our prayers and obtain our petitions. V. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, R. Assist us!

Memorare to Saint Joseph

Remember, most pure spouse of the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, our beloved patron,never was it known that anyone invoked your protection and sought your aidwithout being comforted. Inspired with this confidence, I come to you and

commend myself to you. Do not despise my petition, dear foster father of ourRedeemer, but accept them graciously and pray for me to your adopted Son, Our

Lord.

Amen

Another Memorare to Saint Joseph

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known thatanyone who implored your help and sought your intercession was left unassisted.Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise

not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hearand answer me.

Amen.

Prayer to Obtain a Special Favor through Saint Joseph

O Blessed Saint Joseph, tenderhearted father, faithful guardian of Jesus, chaste spouse of the Mother ofGod, we pray and beseech thee to offer to God the Father His Divine Son, bathed in blood on the Crossfor sinners, and through the thrice-holy Name of Jese, obtain for us from the Eternal Father the favor we

implore. (Name your request.)

Appease the Divine anger so justly inflamed by our crimes, beg of Jesus mercy for thy children. Amid thesplendors of eternity, forget not the sorrows of those who suffer, those who pray, those who weep; stay the

Almighty arm which smites us, that by thy prayers and those of thy most holy spouse, the Heart of Jesusmay be moved to pity and to pardon. Amen.

St Joseph, Pray for us.



Thirty Days' Prayer to St. Joseph

Ever blessed and glorious Joseph, kind and loving Father, and helpful friend of all in sorrow!You are the good father and protector of orphans, the defender of the defenseless, the patronof those in need and sorrow. Look kindly on my request. My sins have drawn down on me thejust displeasure of my God, and so I am surrounded with unhappiness. To you, loving guardianof the Family of Nazareth, do I go for help and protection.

Listen, then, I beg you, with fatherly concern, to my earnest prayers, and obtain for me thefavor I ask.

(Here make your request)

I ask it by the infinite mercy of the eternal Son of God, which moved Him to take our natureand to be born into this world of sorrow.

I ask it by the weariness and suffering you endured when you found no shelter at the inn ofBethlehem for the holy Virgin, nor a place where the Son of God could be born. Then, beingeverywhere refused, you had to allow the Queen of Heaven to give birth to the world’sRedeemer in a cave.

I ask it by the loveliness and power of that sacred Name, Jesus, which you conferred on theadorable Infant.

I ask it by that painful torture you felt at the prophecy of holy Simeon, which declared theChild Jesus and His holy Mother future victims of our sins and of their great love for us.

I ask it through your sorrow and pain of soul when the angel declared to you that the life of theChild Jesus was sought by His enemies. From their evil plan you had to flee with Him and HisBlessed Mother into Egypt. I ask it by all the suffering, weariness, and labors of that long anddangerous journey.

I ask it by all your care to protect the Sacred Child and His Immaculate Mother during yoursecond journey, when you were ordered to return to your own country. I ask it by yourpeaceful life in Nazareth where you met with so many joys and sorrows.

I ask it by your great distress when the adorable Child was lost to you and His Mother for threedays. I ask it by your joy at finding Him in the Temple, and by the comfort you found atNazareth, while living in the company of the Child Jesus. I ask it by the wonderful submissionHe showed in His obedience to you.

I ask it by the perfect love and conformity you showed in accepting the Divine order to departfrom this life, and from the company of Jesus and Mary. I ask it by the joy which filled yoursoul, when the Redeemer of the world, triumphant over death and Hell, entered into thepossession of His kingdom and led you into it with special honors.



I ask it through Mary’s glorious Assumption, and through that endless happiness you have withher in the presence of God.

O good father! I beg you, by all your sufferings, sorrows and joys, to hear me and obtain forme what I ask. (Here name your petitions or think of them.)

Obtain for all those who have asked my prayers everything that is useful to them in the plan ofGod. Finally, my dear patron and father, be with me and all who are dear to me in our lastmoments, that we may eternally sing the praises of

JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

"A blameless life, S t. Joseph, May we lead, By your kind patronage, From danger freed."

Prayer to Saint Joseph for Purity

O GUARDIAN of Virgins and holy Father St. Joseph, into whose faithful keeping were entrusted Christ Jesus, Innocence

Itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, I pray and beseech thee by these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary, that, being preserved from all uncleanness,

I may with spotless mind, pure heart and chaste body,ever serve Jesus and Mary most chastely all the days of my life.

Amen.

Prayer to St. Joseph the WorkmanComposed by Pope St. Pius X

O Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace towork conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations, to work with

gratitude and joy, in a spirit of penance for the remission of my sins, considering it an honor toemploy and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God, to work with order, peace,moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties, to work aboveall with purity of intention and detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and

the account that I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vaincomplacency in success, so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after

thine example, O Patriarch, St. Joseph. Such shall be my watch-word in life and in death.Amen.

WORDS OF OUR LADY TO VEN. MARY OF AGREDA

"The children of the world are ignorant regarding the privileges and rights which the MostHigh has conferred on my holy spouse, and the power of his intercession with the Divine

http://www.willingshepherds.org/Saints/STJOSEPH.htm#the Workman



Majesty and with me. But I assure you, my daughter, that in Heaven he is most intimate withthe Lord, and has great power to avert the punishment of Divine justice from sinners. In all

trials seek his intercession, because the Heavenly Father will grant whatever my spouse asks."

WORDS OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS “Some Saints are privileged to extend to us their patronage with particular efficacy in certain

needs, but not in others; but our holy patron St. Joseph has the power to assist us in all cases,in every necessity, in every undertaking.”

ST. TERESA’S “GUARANTEE” Words of St.Teresa of Avila

“To other Saints Our Lord seems to have given power to succor us in some special necessity—but to this glorious Saint, I know by experience, He has given the power to help us in all.Our Lord would have us understand that as He was subject to St. Joseph on earth—for St.Joseph, bearing the title of father and being His guardian, could command Him—so now in

Heaven Our Lord grants all his petitions. I have asked others to recommend themselves to St.Joseph, and they, too, know the same thing by experience . . .” —Autobiography, VI, 9

ST. TERESA’S PLEA Words of St.Teresa of Avila

“Would that I could persuade all men to be devoted to this glorious Saint [St. Joseph], for Iknow by long experience what blessings he can obtain for us from God. I have never known

anyone who was truly devoted to him and honored him by particular services who did notadvance greatly in virtue: for he helps in a special way those souls who commend themselvesto him. It is now very many years since I began asking him for something on his feast, and I

have always received it. If the petition was in any way amiss, he rectified it for my greater good. . . I ask for the love of God that he who does not believe me will make the trial for himself—then he will find out by experience the great good that results from commending oneself to this

glorious Patriarch and in being devoted to him . . .” —Autobiography, VI, 11-12

A POWERFUL NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH This novena has proven to be highly efficacious. It seems to be pleasing to St. Joseph and helpful to souls. Thisform of novena was originally devised by the celebrated Fr. Louis Lallemant, S.J. (1587-1633). It has provedparticularly effective in obtaining favors through the intercession of St. Joseph. In the Life of this saintly priestand great master of the spiritual life, to whom St. Joseph never refused anything he asked, the story is told thaton one occasion he urged two young priests to make this novena, promising that they would obtain everythingthey asked through the intercession of St. Joseph if, in turn, they would show him special honor and spread

devotion to him among others. Both did as Fr. Lallemant suggested. One of them asked for grace to speak andwrite worthily of Our Lord. But the next day he came to Fr. Lallemant to tell him that, upon reflection, hewished to ask for a different grace, which he considered more conducive to his perfection. Fr. Lallemant replied,

“It is too late now to ask for another grace. The first one has already been granted.” This grace wasconspicuously displayed throughout the whole course of the priest’s life, as he became one of the most noted



preachers and writers of his day.

How to Make this Novena No particular prayers need be said for this novena. Every day for nine days, turn to St. Josephin spirit four times during the day and honor him in the following four points. (These “visits”may be made anywhere—at home, at work, on the street, in the car or bus—and at any time.)

1. During the first visit, consider St. Joseph’s fidelity to grace. Reflect upon the action of theHoly Ghost in his soul. At the conclusion of this brief meditation, thank God for so honoringSt. Joseph, and ask, through his intercession, for a similar grace. 2. Later in the day, consider St. Joseph’s fidelity to the interior life. Study his spirit ofrecollection. Think, thank God, and ask. 3. Later still, consider St. Joseph’s love for Our Lady. Think, thank God, and ask. 4. Finally, in a fourth visit, reflect upon St. Joseph’s love for the Divine Child. Think, thankGod, and ask.

Prayer Which May Be Said at the Conclusion of the Visits

(These prayers are adapted from Reflections for a Novena to St. Joseph, by Sister Emily Joseph,C.S.J.)

O MY GOD, I thank Thee and bless Thee for St. Joseph's great faithfulness to grace.Grant that, through his loving intercession and the power of his example, I too may be faithful

to grace.O St. Joseph, intercede for me, and obtain for me the favor I ask. (Name your request.)

O MY GOD, I thank Thee and bless Thee for St. Joseph's great faithfulness to the interior life.Grant that, through his loving intercession and the power of his example, I too may be faithful

to the interior life.O St. Joseph, intercede for me, and obtain for me the favor I ask. (Name your request.)

O MY GOD I thank Thee and bless Thee for St. Joseph's great love for Our Lady.O Grant that, through his loving intercession and the power of his example, I too may truly

love the Blessed Virgin MaryO St. Joseph, intercede for me, and obtain the favor I ask. (Name your request.)

O MY GOD, I thank Thee and bless Thee for St. Joseph's great love for the DivineChild.Grant that, through his loving intercession and the power of his example, I too may truly

love the Child Jesus. O St. Joseph, intercede for me, and obtain the favor I ask. (Name yourrequest.)

PRAYER TO OBTAIN A CONVERSION

O glorious patriarch St. Joseph, who merited to be called "just' by the Holy Ghost, I urgently



recommend to the soul of (Name), which Jesus redeemed at the price of His Precious Blood.

Thou knowest how deplorable is the state and how unhappy the life of those who havebanished this loving Savior from their hearts, and how greatly they are exposed to the danger oflosing Him eternally. Permit not, I beseech thee, that a soul so dear to me should continue any

longer in its evil ways; preserve it from the danger that threatens it; touch the heart of theprodigal child and conduct him back to the bosom of the fondest of fathers. Abandon him not,I implore thee, till thou hast opened to him the gates of the Heavenly city, where he will praise

and bless thee throughout eternity for the happiness which he will owe to thy powerfulintercession. Amen.

Ad te Beate Ioseph - To Thee, O Blessed JosephWritten by Pope Leo XIII.

To be prayed especially after the Rosary. This prayer is sometimes called the "October Prayer to St. Joseph," butit can be prayed at any time of year.

TO thee, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of thymost holy Spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also. Through that charity which boundthee to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which thouembraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg thee to graciously regard the inheritance which JesusChrist has purchased by his Blood, and with thy power and strength to aid us in our necessities.

O most watchful Guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; Omost loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O ourmost mighty protector, be propitious to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with thepower of darkness; and, as once thou rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protectGod's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each oneof us by thy constant protection, so that, supported by thy example and thy aid, we may be ableto live piously, to die holy, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.

Seven Sorrows and Joys of Saint Joseph

Among the many exercises of piety practiced in honor of St. Joseph, there is one generally known, namely, thatof meditating on his Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys. This devotion owes its origin to a celebrated event, never

omitted by any historian of the Saint.

It is as follows: Two Fathers of the Franciscan order were sailing along the coast of Flanders, when a terribletempest arose, which sank the vessel, with its three hundred passengers. The two Fathers had sufficient presence ofmind to seize hold of a plank, upon which they were tossed to and fro upon the waves, for three days and nights.In their danger and affliction, their whole recourse was to St. Joseph, begging his assistance in their sadcondition. The Saint, thus invoked, appeared in the habit of a young man of beautiful features, encouraged themto confide in his assistance, and, as their pilot, conducted them into a safe harbor. They, desirous to know who



their benefactor was asked his name, that they might gratefully acknowledge so great a blessing and favor. Hetold them he was St. Joseph, and advised them daily to recite the Our Father and Hail Mary seven times, inmemory of his seven dolors or grief's, and of his seven joys, and then disappeared.

(Recite one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be after each number)

1. St. JOSEPH, Chaste Spouse of the Holy Mother of God, by the SORROW with which thyheart was pierced at the thought of a cruel separation from Mary, and by the deep JOY thatthou didst feel when the angel revealed to thee the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation, obtainfor us from Jesus and Mary, the grace of surmounting all anxiety. Win for us from the AdorableHeart of Jesus the unspeakable peace of which He is the Eternal Source.

2. St. JOSEPH, Foster-Father of Jesus, by the bitter SORROW which thy heart experienced inseeing the Child Jesus lying in a manger, and by the JOY which thou didst feel in seeing theWise men recognize and adore Him as their God, obtain by thy prayers that our heart, purifiedby thy protection, may become a living crib, where the Savior of the world may receive andbless our homage.

3. St. JOSEPH, by the SORROW with which thy heart was pierced at the sight of the Bloodwhich flowed from the Infant Jesus in the Circumcision, and by the JOY that inundated thysoul at thy privilege of imposing the sacred and mysterious Name of Jesus, obtain for us thatthe merits of this Precious Blood may be applied to our souls, and that the Divine Name ofJesus may be engraved forever in our hearts.

4. St. JOSEPH, by the SORROW when the Lord declared that the soul of Mary would bepierced with a sword of sorrow, and by thy JOY when holy Simeon added that the DivineInfant was to be the resurrection of many, obtain for us the grace to have compassion on thesorrows of Mary, and share in the salvation which Jesus brought to the earth.

5. St. JOSEPH, by thy SORROW when told to fly into Egypt, and by thy JOY in seeing theidols overthrown at the arrival of the living God, grant that no idol of earthly affection may anylonger occupy our hearts, but being like thee entirely devoted to the service of Jesus and Mary,we may live and happily die for them alone.

6. St. JOSEPH, by the SORROW of thy heart caused by the fear of the tyrant Archelaus andby the JOY in sharing the company of Jesus and Mary at Nazareth, obtain for us, thatdisengaged from all fear, we may enjoy the peace of a good conscience and may live insecurity, in union with Jesus and Mary, experiencing the effect of thy salutary assistance at thehour of our death.

7. St. JOSEPH, by the bitter SORROW with which the loss of the Child Jesus crushed thyheart, and by the holy JOY which inundated thy soul in recovering thy Treasure on entering theTemple, we supplicate thee not to permit us to lose our Saviour Jesus by sin. Yet, should thismisfortune befall us, grant that we may share thy eagerness in seeking Him, and obtain for usthe grace to find Him again, ready to show us His great mercy, especially at the hour of death;



so that we may pass from this life to enjoy His presence in heaven, there to sing with thee Hisdivine mercies forever.

Let Us Pray

O God, Who in Thine ineffable Providence has vouchsafed to choose Blessed Joseph to bethe Spouse of Thy most holy Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may deserve to havehim for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our holy protector: Who livesand reigns forever and ever. Amen.

THE DEVOTION OF THE SEVEN SUNDAYS

The Seven Sundays in honor of St. Joseph are observed in the following manner: HolyCommunion is received in his honor on seven consecutive Sundays, and on each Sunday theprayers in honor of the Seven Sorrows and the Seven Joys of St. Joseph are recited.

An excellent means of obtaining special favors through the intercession of St. Joseph is tohonor his seven sorrows and seven joys by the devotion of the Seven Sundays. This devotionmay be practiced at any time of the year, but fervent clients of St. Joseph like to venerate him

especially on the seven Sundays preceding his Feast Day (March19th,May 1st, Solemnity ofSaint Joseph which is, the third Wednesday after Easter) . Then they more confidently hope toobtain some particular favor; often the favors they receive are greater than they had expected.St. Teresa of Avila tells us that St. Joseph frequently obtained for her much greater favors thanthose for which she had petitioned.

It is related that a ship containing a number of passengers was wrecked off the coast ofHolland. Two Franciscan monks, who had clung to a plank for two days, were save by a man ofvenerable appearance who miraculously brought them to shore. Upon their asking him who hewas he replied, 'I am Joseph, and I desire you to honour my seven sorrows and seven joys.."This was the origin of the devotion to the sorrows and joys of St. Joseph.

Those who are seeking a special request may also have seven Masses said in honor of St.Joseph, or assist at seven Masses, give alms or fast seven times, make seven visits to a chapelor to an image of the Saint. A novena may made by daily saying the prayers of the SevenSorrows and Seven Joys of St. Joseph; or this devotion may be performed for thirty days andended with the reception of the Sacraments. One can also make a novena by saying the OurFather, Hail Mary and Glory Be seven times on each of seven consecutive Sundays, in honorof the Seven Sorrows and Joys of St. Joseph. It is very pleasing to St. Joseph and a great act ofcharity to aid, in his honor, those souls in Purgatory who during life practiced special devotionto him. In our various necessities, we might promise St. Joseph that if he comes to our aid wewill have one or more Masses said for the Poor Souls, or offer Holy Communion for them.

......The message of the Angel. (Matt. 1:20).



1. The doubt of St. Joseph. (Matt. 1:19)

2. The poverty of Jesus' birth. (Luke 2:7)

3. The Circumcision. (Luke 2:21)

4. The prophecy of Simeon. (Luke 2:34)

5. The flight into Egypt. (Matt. 2:14)

6. The return from Egypt. (Matt. 2:22)

7. The loss of the Child Jesus. (Luke 2:45)

......The birth of the Saviour. (Luke 2:10-11).

.....The Holy Name of Jesus. (Matt. 1:25).

.....The effects of the Redemption. (Luke 2:38).

.....The overthrow of the idols of Egypt. (Is.19:1).

.....Life with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth. (Luke2:39).

....The finding of the Child Jesus in theTemple. (Luke 2:46).

PRAYERS IN HONOR OF THE SEVEN SORROWS AND JOYS OF ST. JOSEPHComposed by Ven. Januarius Sarnelli, C.SS.R. (d. 1744)

1. Sorrow: The doubt of St. Joseph. (Matt. 1:19)........

But Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wishing to expose her to reproach, was mindedto put her away privately.

Joy: The message of the Angel. (Matt. 1:20).

But while he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream,saying, "Do not be afraid, Joseph, son of David, to take to you Mary your wife, for that which isbegotten in her is of the Holy Spirit.

O chaste Spouse of Mary most holy, glorious St. Joseph, great was the trouble and anguish ofyour heart when you wert minded to put away privately your inviolate Spouse, yet your joy was

unspeakable when the surpassing mystery of the Incarnation was made known to you by theAngel!

By this sorrow and this joy, we beseech you to comfort our souls, both now and in the sorrowsof our final hour, with the joy of a good life and a holy death after the pattern of your own, in

the arms of Jesus and Mary.Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . .

2. Sorrow: The poverty of Jesus' birth. (Luke 2:7).

And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in amanger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Joy: The birth of the Savior. (Luke 2:10-11).



And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joywhich shall be to all people; for today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you, who isChrist the Lord."

O most blessed Patriarch, glorious St. Joseph, who was chosen to be the foster father of theWord made flesh, your sorrow at seeing the Child Jesus born in such poverty was suddenly

changed into heavenly exultation when you did hear the angelic hymn and beheld the glories ofthat resplendent night.

By this sorrow and this joy, we implore you to obtain for us the grace to pass over from life'spathway to hear the angelic songs of praise, and to rejoice in the shining splendor of celestial

glory.Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . .

3. Sorrow: The Circumcision. (Luke 2:21).

And when eight days were fulfilled for his circumcision, his name was called Jesus, the name givento him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Joy: The Holy Name of Jesus. (Matt. 1:25).

And he did not know her until she brought forth her first born son. And he called his name Jesus.

O glorious St. Joseph you faithfully obeyed the law of God, and your heart was pierced at thesight of the Precious Blood that was shed by the Infant Savior during His Circumcision, but the

Name of Jesus gave you new life and filled you with quiet joy.

By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us the grace to be freed from all sin during life, and todie rejoicing, with the holy Name of Jesus in our hearts and on our lips.

Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . . 4. Sorrow: The prophecy of Simeon. (Luke 2:34).

And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, "Behold this child is destined for the falland the rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be contradicted. And your own soul asword shall pierce.

Joy: The effects of the Redemption. (Luke 2:38).

And coming up at that very hour, she began to give praise to the Lord, and spoke of him to allwho were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

O most faithful Saint who shared the mysteries of our Redemption, glorious St. Joseph, theprophecy of Simeon regarding the sufferings of Jesus and Mary caused you to shudder withmortal dread, but at the same time filled you with a blessed joy for the salvation and glorious



resurrection which, he foretold, would be attained by countless souls.

By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us that we may be among the number of those who,through the merits of Jesus and the intercession of Mary the Virgin Mother, are predestined to

a glorious resurrection.Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . .

5. Sorrow: The flight into Egypt. (Matt. 2:14).

So he arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and withdrew into Egypt.

Joy: The overthrow of the idols of Egypt. (Is. 19:1).

The burden of Egypt. Behold the Lord will ascend upon a swift cloud and will enter into Egypt,and the idols of Egypt will be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midstthereof.

O most watchful Guardian of the Incarnate Son of God, glorious St. Joseph, what toil was yourin supporting and waiting upon the Son of the most high God, especially in the flight into

Egypt! Yet at the same time, how you did rejoice to have always near you God Himself, and tosee the idols of the Egyptians fall prostrate to the ground before Him.

By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us the grace of keeping ourselves in safety from theinfernal tyrant, especially by flight from dangerous occasions; may every idol of earthly

affection fall from our hearts; may we be wholly employed in serving Jesus and Mary, and forthem alone may we live and happily die.

Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . . 6. Sorrow: The return from Egypt. (Matt. 2:22).

But hearing that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to gothere; and being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee.

Joy: Life with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth. (Luke 2:39).

And when they had fulfilled all things prescribed in the Law of the Lord, they returned intoGalilee, into their own town of Nazareth.

O glorious St. Joseph, an angel on earth, you did marvel to see the King of Heaven obedient toyour commands, but your consolation in bringing Jesus out of the land of Egypt was troubledby your fear of Archelaus; nevertheless, being assured by the Angel, you dwelt in gladness at

Nazareth with Jesus and Mary.

By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us that our hearts may be delivered from harmful fears,so that we may rejoice in peace of conscience and may live in safety with Jesus and Mary and



may, like you, die in their company.Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . .

7. Sorrow: The loss of the Child Jesus. (Luke 2:45).

And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem in search of him

Joy: The finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple. (Luke 2:46).

And it came to pass after three days, that they found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of theteachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

O glorious St. Joseph, pattern of all holiness, when you did lose, through no fault of your own,the Child Jesus, you sought Him sorrowing for the space of three days, until with great joy you

did find Him again in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors.

By this sorrow and this joy, we supplicate you, with our hearts upon our lips, to keep us fromever having the misfortune to lose Jesus through mortal sin; but if this supreme misfortune

should befall us, grant that we may seek Him with unceasing sorrow until we find Him again,ready to show us His great mercy, especially at the hour of death; so that we may pass over toenjoy His presence in Heaven; and there, in company with you, may we sing the praises of His

Divine mercy forever.Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory be . . .

Antiphon . And Jesus Himself was beginning about the age of thirty years, being (as it wassupposed) the Son of Joseph.V. Pray for us, O holy Joseph.R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray .O God, Who in Your ineffable Providence did vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be thespouse of Your most holy Mother, grant, we beseech You, that he whom we venerate as ourprotector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven. Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

Amen.

Prayer and Promise to St. JosephBy St. Alphonsus Liguori

O Holy Patriarch, I rejoice with thee at the exalted dignity by which thou wast deemed worthyto act as father to Jesus, to give Him orders and to be obeyed by Him whom Heaven and earth

obey.

O great Saint, as thou wast served by God, I too wish to be taken into thy service. I choose



thee, after Mary, to be my chief advocate and protector. i promise to honor thee every day bysome special act of devotion and by placing myself under thy daily protection. By that sweet

company which Jesus and Mary gave thee in thy lifetime, I beseech thee to protect me allthrough life, so that I may never separate myself from my God by losing His grace.

Mt dear St Joseph. pray to Jesus for me. Certainly He can never refuse thee anything, as Heobeyed all Thine orders while on earth. Tell Him to detach me from all creatures and frommyself, to inflame me with His holy love, and then do with me what he pleases. And by thatassistance which Jesus and Mary gave thee at death , I beg of thee to protect me in a special

way at the hour of my death, so that dying, assisted by thee, in the company of Jesus and Mary,I may go to thank the in paradise, and in thy company praise my God for al eternity. Amen.

Glory be (three times)

Prayer for the Church and the Pope

Most powerful Patriarch St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, which has always invokedthee in anxiety and trouble, from the exalted seat of thy glory cast a loving glance upon the

whole Catholic world. let thy fatherly heart be touched at the sight of the Mystical Spouse andthe Vicar of Christ overwhelmed with sorrow and persecuted by powerful enemies. Oh, by thebitter anguish thou didst experience upon earth, dry the tears of the venerable Pontiff, defend

him, comfort him, intercede for him with the Giver of peace and charity, that, all adversitybeing removed and all error dissipated, the entire Church may serve God in perfect liberty.

Amen.

Prayer to St. Joseph by Pope Pius XAlso know as "Prayer to Saint Joseph for the Spirit of Work"

Pope Pius X composed this prayer to St. Joseph, patron of working people, that expresses concisely the Christianattitude toward labor. It summarizes also for us the lessons of the Holy Family's work at Nazareth.

Glorious St. Joseph, model of all who devote their lives to labor, obtain for me the grace towork in the spirit of penance in order thereby to atone for my many sins; to work

conscientiously, setting devotion to duty in preference to my own whims; to work withthankfulness and joy, deeming it an honor to employ and to develop by my labor the gifts Ihave received from God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, without evershrinking from weariness and difficulties; to work above all with a pure intention and withdetachment from self, having always before my eyes the hour of death and the accountingwhich I must then render of time ill spent, of talents wasted, of good omitted, and of vain

complacency in success, which is so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all through Mary,all in imitation of you, O Patriarch Joseph! This shall be my motto in life and in death, Amen.



Prayer for a who has a Laborious Occupation

O Blessed Joseph, who passed thy life in the painful labors of a humble profession, I take theeas my model and my protector. Obtain for me that I may bear patiently the pains and fatigues

of my state, so that like thee sanctifying my labors, I May merit a crown in Heaven. Amen.

Petitions for St. Joseph's Blessing

Bless me, O dearly beloved Father, St. Joseph, bless my body and my soul; bless myresolutions, my words and deeds, all my actions and omissions, my every step; bless all that Ipossess, all my interior and exterior goods, that all may redound to the greater honor of God.Bless me for time and eternity, and preserve me from every sin. Obtain for me the grace to

make atonement for all my sins by love and contrition here on earth, so that after my last breathI may, without delay, prostrate at your feet, return thee thanks in Heaven for all the love and

goodness thou, O dearest father, hast shown me here below. Amen.(Now pray the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be 3 times, in thanksgiving to God for the graces and

prerogatives bestowed on St. Joseph.)

Prayer of May 1stCollect for the Feast of St. Joseph the Workman

O God, the Creator of all things, Who didst frame the law of labor for the human race,graciously grant that, bt the example and patronage of St. Joseph, we may do the work Thou

dost assign us and earn the reward Thou dost promise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the

Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Prayer of Confidence in Saint Joseph

With childlike confidence I present myself before thee, O holy Joseph, faithful foster father ofJesus! I beg thy compassionate intercession and support in this, my present necessity. [Name

your petition.]

I firmly believe that thou art most powerful near the throne of God, Who chose thee for thefoster father of His well-beloved Son, Jesus Christ. O blessed Saint, who saved that Treasureof Heaven, with His virginal Mother, from the fury of His enemies, who with untiring industry

supplied His earthly wants and with paternal care accompanied and protected Him in all thejourneys of His childhood, take me also, for the love of Jesus, as thy child. Assist me in my

present difficulty with thy prayers before God. The infinite goodness of our Savior, Who lovedand honored thee as His father upon earth, cannot refuse thee any request now in Heaven.



How many pious souls have sought help, from thee in their needs and have experienced, totheir joy, how good, how ready thou art to assist. How quickly thou dost turn to those who call

upon thee with confidence! How powerful thou art in bringing help and restoring joy toanxious and dejected hearts! Therefore, do I fly to thee, O most worthy father of Jesus, mostchaste spouse of Mary! Good St. Joseph, I pray thee by the burning love thou hadst for Jesusand Mary upon earth, console me in my distress and present my petition, through Jesus andMary, before the Throne of God! One word from thee will move Him to assist my afflicted

soul. Then most joyfully shall I praise Him and thee, and more earnest shall be mythanksgiving! Amen.

PRAISES OF ST. JOSEPH These praises may be prayed in thanksgiving for favors received.

IN the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

O holy Patriarch Joseph, ever blessed by thy soul, which was adorned with all the virtues andgifts of the Holy Ghost.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, isnow and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O holy Patriarch Joseph, ever blessed be thine intellect, which was full of the most sublimeknowledge of God and was enlightened with revelations.


O holy Patriarch Joseph, ever blessed be thy will, which all inflamed with love for Jesus andMary and always perfectly conformable to the Divine Will.


O holy Patriarch Joseph, ever blessed be thine eyes, to which it was granted to look continuallyupon Jesus and Mary.


O holy Patriarch Joseph, ever blessed be thine ears, which merited to hear the sweet words ofJesus and Mary.


O dear St. Joseph, ever blessed be thy tongue, which continually praised God and withprofound humility and reverence conversed with Jesus and Mary.

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.

O chaste St. Joseph, ever blessed be thy most pure and loving heart, with which thou didstardently love Jesus and Mary.


O holy Joseph, ever blessed be thy thoughts, words and actions, each and all of which evertended to the service of Jesus and Mary. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to theHoly Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O holy Patriarch Joseph, ever blessed be all the moments of thy life, which thou didst spend inthe service of Jesus and Mary. 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.

O my Protector St. Joseph, ever blessed be that moment of thy life in which thou didst mostsweetly die in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to theHoly Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O glorious St. Joseph, ever blessed be that moment in which thou didst enter into the eternaljoys of Heaven.


O happy St. Joseph, ever blessed in eternity be every moment in which, until now, in unionwith all the Saints of Heaven, thou hast enjoyed the incomprehensible bliss of union with God,

with Jesus and Mary.Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is


O my dear Protector! Be ever blessed by me and by all creatures, for all eternity, with all theblessings which the Most Holy Trinity bestowed upon thee and with all the benedictions given

thee by Jesus and Mary and by the whole Church.Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is


O thrice holy Joseph, blessed in soul and body, in life and death, on earth and in Heaven.Obtain also for me, a poor sinner but nevertheless thy true and faithful client, a share in thyblessings, the grace to imitate thee ardently, and to love and faithfully serve Jesus, Mary, and

thyself, and especially the happiness to die in thy holy arms. Amen.



INVOCATIONS TO ST. JOSEPH By Father Olier

Hail Joseph, image of God the Father. Hail Joseph, father of God the Son.

Hail Joseph, temple of the Holy Ghost. Hail Joseph, beloved of the Holy Trinity.

Hail Joseph, most faithful helper in the great plan of Redemption. Hail Joseph, most worthy spouse of the Virgin Mother.

Hail Joseph, father of all the faithful. Hail Joseph, guardian of holy virgins. Hail Joseph, greatest lover of poverty.

Hail Joseph, example of meekness and patience. Hail Joseph, mirror of humility and obedience.

Blessed art thou among all men. And blessed are thine eyes, which have seen what thou hast seen. And blessed are thine ears, which have hears what thou hast heard.

And blessed are thy hands, which have touched the Word Incarnate. And blessed are thine arms, which have carried the One Who carries all things.

And blessed is thy breast, on which the Son of God most sweetly reposed. And blessed is thy heart, kindled with most ardent love.

And blessed be the Eternal Father, Who chose thee. And blessed be the Son, Who loved thee.

And blessed be the Holy Ghost, Who sanctified thee. And blessed be Mary, thy spouse, who loved thee as a spouse and a brother.

And blessed be the Angel who guarded thee. And blessed be forever all who bless thee and who love thee.

HOLY FAMILY PRAYER

O JESUS, only begotten Son of the Eternal Father, well beloved Son of the Blessed Virgin andfoster Child of St. Joseph, we most fervently implore Thee, through Mary Thine ever blessed

Mother and St. Joseph Thy foster father, take our children under Thy special charge andenclose them in the love of Thy Sacred Heart. They are the children of Thy Father in Heaven,created after His own image; they are Thy possession, for Thou hast purchased them with Thy

Precious Blood; they are temples of the Holy Ghost, Who sanctified them in Baptism andimplanted in their hearts the virtues of faith, hope and charity.

O most loving Jesus, rule and guide them, that they may live according to the holy CatholicFaith, that they may never waver in their confidence in Thee and that they may ever remain

faithful to Thy love.



O Mary, Blessed Mother of Jesus, grant to our children, a place in thy maternal heart! Spreadover them thy protecting mantle when danger threatens their innocence; keep them firm whenthey are about to stray from the path of virtue; and should they have the misfortune of falling

into m mortal sin, oh, then raise them up again, reconcile them with thy Divine Son and restorethem to Sanctifying Grace.

And thou, O holy foster father St. Joseph, do not abandon our children! Protect them from theassaults of the wicked enemy and deliver them from all dangers of soul and body.

O dear parents of the Holy Child Jesus! Intercede for us parents also, that we may bring up ourchildren in the love and fear of God and one day attain with them the Beatific Vision. Amen.

PRAYER FOR PRIESTS AND THE FATHERHOOD OF THE PRIEST

Prayer for Priests

O ILLUSTRIOUS PATRIARCH St. Joseph, who carried the Infant Jesus in thy blessed arms and who, during the space of thirty years, lived in

the most intimate familiarity with Him, take under thy powerful protection those whom He has clothed with His authority and honored with with the dignity of His priesthood, whom He has charged to continue His mission,

to preach His Gospel, and to dispense everywhere His graces and blessings. Sustain them in their fatigues and labors; console them in their pains; fortify them in their combats; but above all,

keep far from them all the evils of sin. Obtain for them the humility of St. John the Baptist, the faith of St. Peter, the zeal and charity of St. Paul, the purity of St. John

and the spirit of prayer and recollection of which thou, my dear Saint, art the model, so that, after having been on earth,

the faithful dispensers of the Mysteries of thy foster Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, they may in Heaven receive the

recompense promised to pastors according to the Heart of God. Amen.

From the Booklet, Favorite Prayers to St. Joseph TAN BOOKS AND PUBLISHERS

The Fatherhood of the Priest

From the Booklet, St. Joseph, Fatima and Fatherhood by Msgr. Joseph Cirrincione with Thomas Nelson



TAN BOOKS AND PUBLISHERS

The role of the priest in relation to Christ is strikingly analogous to the role of St. Joseph inrelation to God the Father. Just as the Eternal Father willed to share His Fatherhood with St.

Joseph-----such that they were "Co-Fathers," as it were-----so Jesus willed to share HisFatherhood with the priest, who becomes "Co-Father" with Him of the Baptized. Now it

becomes obvious why we call our priests "Father," for the priest is an alter Christus, "anotherChrist," through whom Christ works. And as Christ is our Father in the faith, we call His

official representative "Father" as well, in order to acknowledge the profound truth of Christ'sspiritual fatherhood of us all who believe in Him and are Baptized. this is the only satisfying

answer to the Protestants' objection quoted from Scripture, "Call no man on earth your father .. ." In effect, we are not calling the Catholic priest "Father," by reason of his person, but byreason of his office; in effect, when we call the priest "Father," we are actually calling Christ

"Father," Whose instrument and representative the priest really is.

We find this concept used by St. Paul in First Corinthians [3:9], where he refers to himself andto Apollo as "God's co-workers," with the Father and "co-fathers" with the Son, as he remindsthe Corinthians in the next chapter, "For if you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not

many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, by the Gospel, I have begotten you." [4:15] Thus, just asJesus could say, "The Father and I are one," so he can say, "the priest and I are one," because it

is His priesthood that they share. And whatever the priest in his role as priest, he does inChrist's name.

As in the case of St. Joseph, it is in the priest's role or office, not in his person, that hisauthority resides . . . in the Eucharist, when the priest prays the words of Consecration: "this isMy Body," "This is . . . My Blood . . ." the union between Christ and the priest reaches its most

intimate moment. Only Divine power can effect the awesome change of bread and wine intothe Boy and Blood of Jesus Christ. Yet the priest, by the authority and power conferred on himby Christ Himself, does effect this tremendous change of the substance of bread and wine intothe Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, even when he does so unworthily [thatis, when the priest may unfortunately not be in the state of grace when he says Mass]. Thus,

since, in the Consecration of the Mass, the death of Christ, the source of our supernatural life,is made present on the altar by the words of the priest, he the priest, stands revealed as Christ,

in Christ's role as our spiritual Father, present among us today.

Like St. Joseph, the priest enjoys a very special authority, one conferred on him by the Will ofGod. But also, like St. Joseph, his role as father burdens him with duties and responsibilities. St.

Joseph taught the young Jesus to pray, introduced Him to the Psalms, led Him to the habitualpractice of communion with God, even while at work. The priest too has the duty to pray, not

just in his own name, but in the name of the Church, when he recites the Divine Office . . . andflowing from his life of prayer and interior union with Christ comes the power to convert souls

in Christ . . . Prayer and ministry of the Word! This was the life of Christ, whose Fatherhoodpriests share -----the fatherhood of Him who, at the beginning of His life on earth was hailed

http://www.tanbooks.com/



by Simeon in the temple, 'A light to the revelation of the Gentiles" and who, before ascendinginto Heaven, instructed His disciples thus: "All Power is given to Me in Heaven and in earth.

Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son,and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:

and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world." [Matt. 28:18-20].Christ and the priests . . . one now and forever!

A MORNING OFFERING THROUGH ST. JOSEPH

Receive me, dear and chosen Father, and the offering of every movement of my body and soul, which I desire to present

through thee to my blessed Lord.

Purify all! Make all a perfect holocaust! May every pulsation of my heart be a Spiritual Communion, every look and thought an act of love, every action a sweet sacrifice,

every word an arrow of Divine love, every step an advance toward Jesus, every visit to Our Lord as

pleasing to God as the errands of Angels, every thought of thee, dear Saint, an act to remind thee that I am thy child.

I recommend to thee the occasions in which I usually fail, particularly . . . [Mention these]. Accept each little devotion

of the day, though replete with imperfection, and offer it to Jesus, Whose mercy will overlook all, since He

regards not so much the gift as the love of the giver. Amen.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO ST. JOSEPHO Dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to thy honor and give myself to thee, that thou

mayest always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me agreat purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life. After thine example, may I do all my

actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and theImmaculate Heart of Mary! And do thou, O blessed St. Joseph, pray for me that I may share in

the peace and joy of thy holy death. Amen.

The Nine First Wednesdays

Every Wednesday is dedicated in a special way to St. Joseph. Make the Nine First Wednesdays



[in a manner similar to the Nine First Fridays of the Sacred Heart] in honor of St. Joseph for ahappy death, for yourself and your dear ones. As charity is one of the best ways to be worthyof the grace of a happy death, offer your First Wednesday Mass and Communion and devotionsin honor of St. Joseph in a special way for the salvation of the dying, most especially for anundying sinner who is to lose his soul without the grace of final repentance.

Our Lord permits St. Joseph to take from His Divine treasury with full hands in order to givesouls the treasures of Divine grace and mercy, like Joseph, the son of Jacob, who took cornfrom the granaries of the King of Egypt to feed his brethren and all who had recourse to him.From the heights of Heaven, the King of Glory speaks to us the same words as Pharao spoketo the starving people of Egypt: "Go to Joseph."

St. Joseph's Virtues Words of Our Lady to St. Bridget of Sweden

"St. Joseph was so reserved and careful in his speech that not one word ever issued from hismouth that was not good and holy, nor did he ever indulge in unnecessary or less than

charitable conversation. He was most patient and diligent in bearing fatigue; he practicedextreme poverty; he was most meek in bearing injuries; he was strong and constant against my

enemies; he was the faithful witness of the wonders of Heaven, being dead to the flesh and theworld, living only for God and for Heavenly goods, which were the only things he desired. Hewas perfectly conformed to the Divine Will and so resigned to the dispositions of Heaven that

he ever repeated" May the Will of God ever be done in me!" He rarely spoke with men, butcontinually with God, whose Will he desired to perform. Wherefore, he now enjoys great glory

in Heaven."

The Body and Tomb of St. Joseph

"In an ecstasy, a Saint has seen the body of St. Joseph preserved intact in a tomb, the site ofwhich is yet unlnown. The more the glorious spouse of the most Blessed Virgin is honored, thesooner will the finding of his body take place, which will be a day of great joy for the Church."(Words of Father Paul of Moll, 1824-1896, from Father Paul of Moll, by Edward van Speybrouck,

p.238).

An ancient tradition states that the tomb of St. Joseph, now empty, is in the Valley of Josaphat.St. Jerome, on the other hand, was of the opinion that St. Joseph's tomb is within the boundaries

of the Garden of Gethsemane. (See Life and Glories of St. Joseph by Edward Healy Thompson,pp.409-410)

St. Alphonsus Liguori on St. Joseph,Patron of a Happy Death

“Since we all must die, we should cherish a special devotion to St. Joseph, that he may obtain



for us a happy death. All Christians regard him as the advocate of the dying who had honoredhim during their life, and they do so for three reasons:

“First, because Jesus Christ loved him not only as a friend, but as a father, and on this accounthis mediation is far more efficacious than that of any other Saint.

“Second, because St. Joseph has obtained special power against the evil spirits, who tempt uswith redoubled vigor at the hour of death.

“Third, the assistance given St. Joseph at his death by Jesus and Mary obtained for him the rightto secure a holy and peaceful death for his servants. Hence, if they invoke him at the hour ofdeath he will not only help them, but he will also obtain for them the assistance of Jesus andMary.”

Daily Devotions to St. Josephby St. Alphonsus Liguori

The Prayer To Be Said Every DayReflections For Each Day:

Prayer To Be Said Every Day After Each Day's Special Reflection

Most holy patriarch, St. Joseph, I rejoice at the great dignity to which thou hast been raised inbeing made foster father of the Son of God, endowed with authority to command Him Whom

Heaven and earth obey. My holy patron, since Jesus Himself respected and served thee as His father, I, too, wish to

enroll myself in thy service. I choose thee, after Mary, for my principal advocate and protector.I promise to honor thee every day with some special devotion, and each day I will place myself

under thy protection.

As thou didst enjoy the sweet company of Jesus and Mary during thy life on earth, grant that Imay ever live close to them and never be separated from God by losing His grace. And as thouwert assisted by Jesus and Mary at the hour of thy death, so grant me protection at the hour of

my death, that, dying in thy presence and that of Jesus and Mary, I may one day go to thankthee in Paradise, and in thy company praise and love God for all eternity. Amen.

St. Joseph, patron of the universal Church, protect us. Protect our Holy Father, the Pope, andour Mother, Holy Church.

FIRST DAY

God, because of the great love He bears us, and His great desire to see us saved, has given usamong other means of salvation the practice of devotion to the Saints. It is His will that they,



who are His friends, should intercede for us, and by their merits and prayers obtain graces forus which we ourselves do not deserve.

But everyone must know that, after the Mother of God, St. Joseph is, of all the Saints, the onedearest to God. He has, therefore, great power with Him and can obtain graces for His devout

clients. Let us then frequently say:

St. Joseph, give me the greatest confidence in thy powerful intercession.

DAILY PRAYER

SECOND DAY

We should, indeed, honor St. Joseph, since the Son of God Himself was graciously pleased tohonor him by calling him father. "Christ," says Origen, "gave to Joseph the honor due to a

parent." The Holy Scriptures speak of him as the father of Jesus. "His father and mother weremarveling at the things spoken concerning Him" (Luke 2:33). Mary also used this name: "in

sorrow thy father and I have been seeking thee" (Luke 2:48 ). If, then, the King of Kings waspleased to raise Joseph to so high a dignity, it is right and obligatory on our part to endeavor to

honor him as much as we can.

St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to thy service forever. Protect me all the days of my life.

DAILY PRAYER

THIRD DAY

The example of Jesus Christ, Who wished to honor St. Joseph so much, and to be subject tohim on earth, ought to inflame all with a fervent devotion toward this great Saint. Since the

Eternal Father shared His Own authority with St. Joseph, Jesus always regarded him as a father,and respected and obeyed him for thirty years. St. Luke says He "was subject to them" (Luke2:51). These words mean that during all this time the sole occupation of the Redeemer was to

obey Mary and Joseph. To St. Joseph, as head of the little family, belonged the office ofcommanding, and to Jesus as a subject, the duty of obedience. Hence, a learned author hasjustly said: "Men should pay great honor to him whom the King of Kings wished to raise to

such a height."

St. Joseph, by the obedience which Jesus rendered to thee, make me always obedient to the willof God.

DAILY PRAYER

FOURTH DAY



St. Bernardine of Siena says that we should be persuaded that Our Lord, Who respected St.Joseph on earth as His father, will refuse Him nothing in Heaven; but on the contrary, will

most abundantly grant His petitions. Jesus Himself advised St. Margaret of Cortona to cherish aspecial devotion to St. Joseph, and never to allow a day to pass without rendering some homage

to him as His foster father. Let us not, then, fail to recommend ourselves each day to St.Joseph and to ask him for graces.

St. Joseph, make me faithful in invoking thee daily.

DAILY PRAYER

FIFTH DAY

All the faithful should be devoted to St. Joseph in order to obtain the grace of a good death,and this for three reasons. 1. Because Jesus Christ loved him not only as a friend, but as a

father, and, therefore, his intercession is more powerful than that of the other Saints. 2.Because Our Lord, in return for having saved Him from Herod, has given St. Joseph the

special privilege of protecting the dying against the snares of the devil. 3. Because St. Joseph,who died in the company of Jesus and Mary, is the model of a holy death and can obtain this

grace for his clients.

St. Joseph, obtain for me that, like thee, I may die in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

DAILY PRAYER

SIXTH DAY

According to St. John Damascene: "God gave St. Joseph the love, the care, and the authority ofa father over Jesus. He gave him the affection of a father that he might guard Him with greatlove; the solicitude of a father, that he might watch over Him with care; and the authority of afather that he might feel sure that he would be obeyed in all that he arranged concerning this

Son."

St. Joseph, be always a father to us; and grant that we may be always thy faithful children.

DAILY PRAYER

SEVENTH DAY

When God, destines anyone for a particular office, He gives him the graces that fit him for it.Therefore, since God chose St. Joseph to fill the office of father over the person of the

Incarnate Word, we must certainly believe that he conferred upon him all the sanctity which



belonged to such an office. Gerson says that among other privileges Joseph had three whichwere special to him. 1. That he was sanctified in his mother's womb, as ere Jeremias and St.John the Baptist. 2. That he was at the same time confirmed in grace. 3. That he was alwaysexempt from the inclinations of concupiscence-----a privilege with which St. Joseph by the

merit of his purity, favors his devout clients by delivering them from carnal appetites.

St. Joseph, shining light of chastity, preserve the angelic virtue in me.

DAILY PRAYER

EIGHTH DAY

In the Gospels St. Joseph is called "just." What is meant by a just man? St. Peter Chrysologussays: "It means a perfect man-----one who possesses all virtues." Joseph was already holy

before his marriage; but how much must his sanctity have increased after his union with theBlessed Virgin? The example of his holy spouse sufficed to sanctify him; and since Mary is the

dispenser of all the graces which God grants to men, in what profusion must she not haveshowered them down upon her spouse, who she loved so much and by whom she was so

tenderly loved!

St. Joseph, increase my devotion to Mary.

DAILY PRAYER

NINTH DAY

The two disciples, going to Emmaus were inflamed with Divine love by the few momentswhich they spent in company with our Savior, and by His words. What flames of holy love

must not, then, have been enkindled in the heart of St. Joseph, who for thirty years conversedwith Jesus Christ, and listened to His words of eternal life; who observed the perfect examplewhich Jesus gave of humility and patience, and saw the promptness with which He obeyed and

helped him in his labors, and all that was needed for the household!

St. Joseph, inflame us with the love of Jesus.

DAILY PRAYER

TENTH DAY

St. Paul writes that in the next life Jesus Christ "will render to every man according to Hisworks" (Rom. 2:6). What great glory must we not suppose that He has bestowed upon St.

Joseph, who served and loved Him so much while He lived on earth! Our Lord has promised a



reward to him who gives a cup of cold water to the poor in His name. What, then, must be thereward of St. Joseph, who can say to Jesus Christ: "I not only provided Thee with food, with adwelling, and with clothes, but I saved Thee from death, delivering Thee from the hands of

Herod."

St. Joseph, increase our zeal for growing in holiness by the hope of eternal reward.

DAILY PRAYER

ELEVENTH DAY

We must believe that the life of St. Joseph, spent in the presence of Jesus and Mary, was acontinual prayer, abounding in acts of faith, confidence, love, resignation, and oblation. Since,then, the reward of the Saints corresponds to their merits during life, consider how great mustbe the glory of St. Joseph in Heaven. St. Augustine compares the other Saints to the stars, but

St. Joseph to the sun.

It is, then, very reasonable to suppose that St. Joseph, after Mary, surpasses all the other Saintsin merit and glory. The Venerable Bernardine de Bustis says that when St. Joseph asks anygrace for those who are devoted to him, his prayers have in a certain manner the force of a

command with Jesus and Mary.

St. Joseph, obtain for us a great spirit of prayer.

DAILY PRAYER

TWELFTH DAY

To prove the power which St. Joseph possesses in Paradise, St. Bernardine of Siena writes thus:"We cannot doubt that Christ accords to St. Joseph, now that he is in Heaven, even more

perfectly the respect and reverence which He paid to him on earth. Our Lord, Who on earthrevered St. Joseph as His father, will certainly deny him nothing that he asks in Heaven." Let us

then say to him with confidence:

St. Joseph, powerful protector of souls, keep us from all sin.

DAILY PRAYER

THIRTEENTH DAY

Oh great St. Joseph, since God has served thee, I also wish to enroll myself in thy service. Iwish henceforth to serve thee, to honor and love thee. Take me under thy protection and

dispose of me as thou pleasest. My holy St. Joseph, pray to Jesus for me. Having obeyed all thy



commands on earth, He will certainly never refuse anything thou doth ask Him. Tell Him topardon me the offenses that I have committed against Him. Tell Him to detach me from

creatures and from myself. Ask Him to inflame me with His holy love.

St. Joseph, watch over us, thy children.

DAILY PRAYER

FOURTEENTH DAY

Most holy patriarch, now that thou art on a lofty throne in Heaven near thy beloved Jesus,Who was subject to thee on earth, have pity on me, who am exposed to the attacks of so manyenemies, to the evil spirits, and the passions that continually strive to rob me of the grace ofGod. Through the grace given to thee on earth of enjoying the continual society of Jesus andMary, obtain for me the grace of living during the remaining days of my life united to God, byresisting the attacks of Hell. Grant, too, that I may die with the love of Jesus and Mary in my

heart so that I may be able one day to enjoy with thee their company in the kingdom ofHeaven.

St. Joseph, grant me a horror of sin and the grace to conquer my passions.

DAILY PRAYER

FIFTEENTH DAY

St. Bernard, speaking of St. Joseph's power of dispensing graces to his devout servants, makesuse of the following remarkable words: "To some of the Saints power is granted to succor us in

particular necessities; but to St. Joseph power is granted to succor in all necessities, and todefend all those who, with devotion have recourse to him." Let us then often say to him:

St. Joseph, help us when we are in need.

DAILY PRAYER

SIXTEENTH DAY

St. Teresa says: "I do not remember to have asked any favor from St. Joseph which he did notgrant. An account of the many graces which God has bestowed upon me, and of the dangers,

corporal and spiritual, from which He has delivered me through this Saint would excitewonder. The Lord appears to have given power to the other Saints to assist us in a single

necessity; but experience shows that St. Joseph gives aid in all. The Lord gives us tounderstand that, as He was to be subject to St. Joseph on earth, so in Heaven He does

whatever the Saint asks."



St. Joseph, obtain for me the grace of perseverance in prayer.

DAILY PRAYER

SEVENTEENTH DAY

St. Teresa also writes: "I would wish to persuade all the world to be devoted to St. Joseph,because I have long experience of the great favors which he obtains from God. I have never

known any soul especially devoted to him that did not always advance in virtue. I ask, forGod's sake, that they who do not believe me will at least make a trial of this devotion. I cannotbelieve that favors are not grant ed to St. Joseph in return for the help which he gave on earth

to Jesus and Mary."

St. Joseph, patron of the interior life, lead me to that perfection which God requires of me.

DAILY PRAYER

EIGHTEENTH DAY

Let us ask St. Joseph for the grace to love our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the particular gracewhich St. Joseph obtains for those who are devout to him-----a tender love toward the

Incarnate Word. The Saint merited the power to bestow this grace upon his servants by thegreat love which he himself bore toward Jesus while he lived on earth.

St. Joseph, make me love Jesus with all my heart.

DAILY PRAYER

NINETEENTH DAY

When Jesus lived in this world in the house of St. Joseph, could a sinner who desired to obtainforgiveness from Our Lord have found a more efficacious means of obtaining pardon thanthrough St. Joseph? If, then, we desire to receive the forgiveness of our sins, let us have

recourse to St. Joseph who, now that he is in Heaven, is more loved by Jesus Christ than hewas loved by Him on earth.

St. Joseph, obtain from Jesus the pardon of my sins.

DAILY PRAYER

TWENTIETH DAY



"And Joseph also went from Galilee out of the town of Nazareth into Judea to the town ofDavid, which is called Bethlehem" (Luke 2:4). In response to the decree of Caesar Augustus,St. Joseph made the long journey across the hills from Galilee to Bethlehem with Mary, whobore beneath her heart the Incarnate Son of God. What sweet conversations must Mary andJoseph have held on this journey on the mercy of God in sending His Son into the world to

redeem the human race, and on the love of this Son in coming into this valley of tears in orderto atone by His suffering and death for the sins of men!

St. Joseph, I wish to belong entirely to thee, so that through thee I may belong entirely to Jesusand Mary.

DAILY PRAYER

TWENTY-FIRST DAY

"And it came to pass while they were there, that the days for her to be delivered were fulfilled.And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him ina manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:6-7). How great must have

been the sorrow of St. Joseph when he could find no shelter for Mary on the night of the birthof the Divine Word, and was obliged to bring her to a stable! How his heart must have been

pierced with anguish to see his holy spouse, who was pregnant, and near the time of childbirth,trembling with cold in that damp cave, which was open on every side.

Dear St. Joseph, through the pain which thou didst feel in seeing the Divine Word born in astable, so poor, without fire, without clothes, and in hearing the cries caused by the cold which

afflicted Him, I pray thee to obtain for me a true sorrow for my sins, by which I have drawntears from Jesus.

St. Joseph, penetrate my heart with contrition and obtain for me the grace never to sin again.

DAILY PRAYER

TWENTY-SECOND DAY

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid himin a manger" (Luke 2 : 7). How great must have been the joy of St. Joseph when he heard Marycalling him and saying "Joseph, come, and adore our infant God, Who is just born in this cave.Behold how beautiful He is. Look at the King of the world in this manger, on this straw. Seehow He, Who makes the seraphs burn with love, trembles with cold. Behold how He Who isthe joy of paradise weeps!" Dear St. Joseph, through the joy which thou didst receive at the

first sight of the infant Jesus in the crib, so beautiful and lovely that thy heart began from thatmoment to beat with love for Him alone, obtain for me also the grace to love Jesus with an

ardent love on earth so that I may one day go to enjoy Him in Heaven.



St. Joseph, share with me a little of the burning love that thou didst bear to Jesus.

DAILY PRAYER

TWENTY-THIRD DAY

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men of good will" (Luke 2: 14).Consider how great was the love and tenderness of St. Joseph when he beheld with his own

eyes the Son of God become an infant; when he heard the Angels singing around theirnewborn Lord, and saw the stable filled with light. Kneeling down and weeping with love andcompassion, Joseph said: "I adore Thee, yes I adore Thee, my Lord and my God. How great ismy happiness to be the first, after Mary, to see Thou born, and to know that in this world Thouwisheth to be called and reputed my Son! Allow me, then, also to call Thee my Son, and to say:

My God and my Son, to Thee I consecrate my whole being. My life shall be no longer mine,but shall be Thine without reserve!"

St. Joseph, grant that I may spend my life, like thee, in the service of God.

DAILY PRAYER

TWENTY-FOURTH DAY

"An Angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph, saying, Arise, and take the child and Hismother and flee into Egypt" (Matt. 2:13). Consider the ready obedience of St. Joseph, who

raised no doubts about the time of the journey, nor about the manner of traveling, nor aboutthe place in Egypt in which they were to stay, but immediately prepared to set out. He instantlymakes known to Mary the command of the Angel, and on the same night sets out without guide

on a journey of 400 miles through mountains, across rugged roads and deserts.

My holy protector, obtain for me the grace of perfect obedience to the Divine will.

DAILY PRAYER

TWENTY-FIFTH DAY

How much St. Joseph must have suffered on the journey into Egypt in seeing the sufferings ofJesus and Mary! Their food must have been a piece of hard bread. They could have slept onlyin some poor hut, or in the open air. Joseph was indeed conformed in all things to the will of

the Eternal Father, but his tender and loving heart could not but feel pain in seeing the Son ofGod trembling and weeping from cold and the other hardships which He experienced.

St. Joseph, obtain for me the grace that in my journey to eternity I may never lose the company



of Jesus and Mary.

DAILY PRAYER

TWENTY-SIXTH DAY

"The boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and His parents did not know it" (Luke 2:43). How greatwas the pain of St. Joseph when Jesus was lost in the temple! Joseph was accustomed to the

enjoyment of the sweet presence of his beloved Savior. What, then, must have been his sorrowwhen he was deprived of it for three days, without knowing whether he should evermore findJesus, and most painful of all, without knowing why he had lost Him. How great, on the otherhand, was Joseph's joy when he found Jesus and realized that the absence of the Child did not

arise from any neglect on his part, but from a zeal for the glory of the Father.

St. Joseph, through the merits of the pains which thou didst suffer at losing Jesus, obtain for metears to weep always for my sins.

DAILY PRAYER

TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY

"He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them" (Luke 2:51). Reflecton the holy life which Joseph led in the company of Jesus and Mary. In that family there wasno business except that which tended to the greater glory of God; there were no thoughts or

desires except the thought and desire of pleasing God; there were no discourses except on thelove which men owe to God, and which God has shown to men, especially in sending His onlybegotten Son into the world to suffer and to end His life in a sea of sorrows and insults for the

salvation of mankind.

St. Joseph, through the tears which thou didst shed in contemplating the future passion ofJesus, obtain for me a continual remembrance of the suffering of my Redeemer.

DAILY PRAYER

TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY

Consider the love which St. Joseph bore to Mary, his holy spouse. She was the most beautifulof all women. She was more humble, more meek, more pure, more obedient, more inflamed

with the love of God, than all the Angels and than all men that have been or shall be created.Hence, she merited all his love. Add to this his realization of the love that she bore for him,

and the fact that God had chosen her as His beloved Mother.

St. Joseph, obtain for me a great love for Mary, thy most holy spouse.



DAILY PRAYER

TWENTY-NINTH DAY

Consider the love which Joseph bore to Jesus. This love was not purely human. like the love ofother fathers, but superhuman; for he loved Jesus not only as his son but also as his God.

Joseph knew from the Angel that his child was the Divine Word Who had become man to savemankind. He realized, too, that he himself had been chosen from among all men to be the

protector and guardian of this Divine Infant. What a flame of holy love must, then, have beenenkindled in the heart of Joseph by reflecting on all these things, and by the sight of his Lord

obeying him like a little boy, opening and closing the door, helping him to saw or to plane,gathering fragments of wood, or sweeping the house!

St. Joseph, remove from my heart all that could be an obstacle to the love of God.

DAILY PRAYER

THIRTIETH DAY

"Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His faithful ones" (Ps. 115:6). After havingfaithfully served Jesus and Mary, St. Joseph reached the end of his life in the house at

Nazareth. There, surrounded by Angels, assisted by Jesus Christ the King of Angels, and byMary, his spouse, who placed themselves at each side of his poor bed, filled with the peace of

Paradise, he departed from this miserable life. Who shall ever be able to understand thesweetness, the consolation, the blessed hope, the acts of resignation, the flames of charity

which the words of eternal life coming alternately from the lips of Jesus and Mary, breathedinto the soul of Joseph at the end of his life?

St. Joseph, grant me peace and resignation to God's will at the hour of my death.

DAILY PRAYER

THIRTY-FIRST DAY

Great, indeed, will be the comfort of those, who, at the hour of death shall be protected by St.Joseph. For this great Saint has received from God power to command the devils and to drivethem away, less they tempt his servants in their dying moments. Happy is the soul that shall beassisted by this great advocate, who, on account of having died with the assistance of Jesus andMary, and because of having preserved the infant Jesus from the danger of death by his flight

into Egypt, has received the privilege of being the patron of a good death, and of delivering hisclients from the danger of eternal death.



St. Joseph, defend me from the attacks of the devils at the last moment of my life.

Prayer to St. Joseph for a Happy Death

O Glorious St. Joseph, behold I choose thee today for my special patron in life and at the hourof my death. Preserve and increase in me the spirit of prayer and fervor in the service of God.

Remove far from me every kind of sin; obtain for me that my death may not come upon meunawares, but that I may have time to confess my sins sacramentally and to bewail them with a

most perfect understanding and a most sincere and perfect contrition, in order that I maybreathe forth my soul into the hands of Jesus and Mary. Amen

PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH BEFORE MASS AND HOLY COMMUNION

Happy and blessed art thou, O Joseph, to whom it was given not only to see and to hear thatGod whom many kings desired to see, and saw not, to hear, and heard not; but also to hold

Him in thine arms, to embrace Him, to clothe Him, and to guard and defend Him.

Pray for us, O blessed Joseph, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

O God, who hast given unto us a royal priesthood, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, that asBlessed Joseph was found worthy to touch with his hands, and bear within his arms, Thine

Only-begotten Son, born of the Virgin Mary, so may we be made fit, by cleanness of heart andpurity of work, to serve at Thy holy altars; that we may worthily receive the Most Sacred Bodyand Blood of Thy Son, now in this present world, and deserve to attain an everlasting reward in

the world to come. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

[From the Roman Missal.]

The Chaplet of St. Joseph

This chaplet is divided into fifteen groups of four beads consisting of one white and threepurple beads. The white bead symbolizes St. Joseph's purity, and the purple his Saintly piety. Amystery of the Rosary is considered on each white bead, and two Hail Mary's are said. On thepurple beads say:

Praised and blessed be Jesus, Mary and Joseph!



End the chaplet with the following prayer:

V. Pray for us, O holy St. Joseph! R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ!

Let us pray

O God, Who has predestined St. Joseph from all eternity for the service of Thine EternalSon and His Blessed Mother, and made him worthy to be the spouse of this Blessed Virgin andthe foster father of Thy Son: we beseech Thee, through all the services he has rendered toJesus and Mary on earth, that Thou wouldst make us worthy of his intercession and grant us toenjoy the happiness of his company in Heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The 15 Mysteries of the Rosary:

1. The Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary [The Angel's annunciation to Joseph in a dream ought to be also considered here.] 2. The Visitation of Mary to St. Elizabeth 3. The Nativity 4. The Presentation in the Temple [The Circumcision of Our Lord may be considered here, too.] 5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple 6. The Agony in the Garden 7. The Scourging at the Pillar 8. The Crowning with Thorns 9. The Carrying of the Cross 10. Jesus' Death on the Cross 11. The Resurrection of Our Lord 12. The Ascension of Our Lord 13. The Descent of the Holy Ghost 14. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin 15. The Coronation of the Virgin

Prayer for a Heavenly Crown

O ST. JOSEPH, virgin father of Jesus and most pure spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, prayevery day for us to the same Jesus, the Son of God, that being defended by the power of Hisgrace and striving dutifully in life, we may be crowned by Him at the hour of death. Amen.

The Cord of Saint Joseph

The devotion to the Cord of St. Joseph took its rise in the town of Antwerp, Belgium, in



1637, in consequence of a miraculous cure effected by the wearing of this precious girdle. Atthat time there lived there an Augustinian nun of great piety, named Sr. Elizabeth, who hadsuffered for three years excruciating pains occasioned by a cruel distemper. She had reachedsuch a stage that the doctors, seeing no possible recourse, declared her death to be inevitableand imminent. Sr. Elizabeth turned to Heaven, and having always been particularly devoted toSt. Joseph, she asked him to intercede to Our Lord for her recovery. At the same time she hada cord blessed in the Saint's honor, girded herself with it, a few days after, as she prayed beforest. Joseph's image, she felt herself suddenly free of the pain. Those who were acquainted withher illness declared her recovery miraculous; an act of authenticity was drawn up with a publicnotary and the doctor, who happened to be a Protestant, concurred. The miracle was recordedand published at Verona and Rome between 1810-42. During the month of March of the latteryear, the Devotion to the Cord came into existence. Cords were blessed in the Church of St.Nicholas, Verona, for hospital patients.

The chapel in the church is dedicated to St. Joseph. Numerous special graces were obtainedand the devotion spread to France, all parts of Italy and even to America and Asia. The cordwas invoked, not merely as a remedy against physical ailments, but also as a preservative of thevirtue of purity.

The Bishop of Verona became aware of the necessity of addressing a supplication to theCongregation of Rites, which he did by letter on January 14, 1859. After a mature examinationthe Sacred Congregation, in accordance with the request, approved on September 19 of thatyear, the new formula of blessing and permitted its solemn and private use. Finally the Bishopobtained for the Association of the Cord the privilege of being declared 'primarie," and at thesame time His Holiness, Pope Pius IX enriched it with special indulgences.

GRACES ATTACHED TO THE WEARING OF THE CORD

Graces precious to the piety of St. Joseph's servants are attached to the wearing of this cord. They are: 1. St. Joseph's special protection; 2. Purity of soul; 3. The grace of chastity; 4. Final perseverance; 5. Particular assistance at the hour of death.

NATURE OF THE CORD AND THE MANNER OF WEARING IT

The Cord of St. Joseph should be of thread or cotton, ending at one extremity in seven knots, indicative of the Seven Joys and Sorrows of St. Joseph. It is worn as a girdle forpurity or chastity and humility and around the shoulders for obedience. It ought to be blessedby a priest with the faculties for this blessing. Pius IX approved a special formula for theblessing of the cord of St. Joseph. [See a copy 1964 Roman Ritual-----we do not have one here,sorry].



WHEN YOU RECEIVE YOUR CORD, IT WILL BE A LONG CORD WITH A KNOT ATEACH END. AT ONE END YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE 6 KNOTS TO ADD TO THE ONEALREADY THERE. THIS IS THE PART OF THE CORD THAT HANGS FREE AFTERTYING ABOUT THE WAIST OR SHOULDER.

CONDITIONS FOR GAINING THE INDULGENCES

1. Be truly contrite, confess and communicate the day of investiture or wearing it for the firsttime. 2. If possible visit the church of the Association or an other oratory, if not, and to pray forpeace between Christian princes or rulers, the extirpation of heresies, and the exaltation ofHoly Mother Church. 3. Must be affiliated with the Church of San Rocco at Rome. We do not know how binding thisis for Americans or how to contact them. We have provided a link to the Company thatdistributes the Cord in the U.S. Someone one there may know how to contact that church. All the indulgences are applicable to the Holy Souls.

THE PRAYERS AND SPECIAL INDULGENCES OF THE CORD OF ST. JOSEPH

RECITE DAILY SEVEN TIMES THE GLORY BE, TOGETHER WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER, WHICH IS THE PRAYER FOR PURITY

O GUARDIAN of Virgins and holy Father St. Joseph, into whose faithful keeping were entrusted Christ Jesus, Innocence Itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, I pray and beseech thee by these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary, that, being preserved from all uncleanness, I may with spotless mind, pure heart and chaste body, ever serve Jesus and Mary most chastelyall the days of my life. Amen.

YOU ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO MEDITATE ON THE SEVEN SORROWS ANDJOYS, ADDING AN OUR FATHER, HAIL MARY, AND GLORY BE AFTER EACHMEDITATION.

PLENARY INDULGENCES ATTACHED TO THE CORD

1. On the day of entrance into the Association. 2. On the day of the Feast of the Espousals of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph [Jan. 23]. 3. On the 19th of March, the Feast of St. Joseph, and on one of the seven days whichimmediately follow. 4. On the Feast of the Patronage of St. Joseph [3rd Sunday after Easter].



5. Upon death for members of the Association who are truly penitent, have confessed their sinsand received Holy viaticum; or not being able to do, having invoked by mouth or in the heart,the Name of Jesus.

Saint Joseph - Jouzourounajouzourouna.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/St-Joseph...NOVENA TO ST....

Documents

Transcript of Saint Joseph - Jouzourounajouzourouna.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/St-Joseph...NOVENA TO ST....