Prayers to St. Joseph

 

Prayers to Saint Joseph.

Let us address Saint Joseph in the words of the Angel:-"Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."-Saint Matthew i. 20.

Let us address Saint Joseph in the words of the Church: "We beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may be assisted by the merits of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, that what of ourselves we are unable to obtain, may be given us by his intercession."

 

FOR PRIESTS.

Prayers to Saint Joseph.

O felicem virum, beatum Joseph, cui datum est Deum, quem multi reges voluerunt videre et non viderunt, audire et non audierunt, non solum videre et audire, sed portare, deosculari, vestire et custodire.

V. Ora pro nobis, beate Joseph.

R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.

(An indulgence of one year to priests who recite this prayer before Mass.)

Post Missam et per Diem.

Virginum custos et pater, sancte Joseph, cujus fideli custodiæ ipsa innocentia Christus Jesus, et Virgo virginum Maria commissa fuit: te per hoc utrumque charissimum pignus, Jesum et Mariam, obsecro et obtestor, ut me ab omni immunditia præservatum, mente incontaminata, puro corde, et casto corpore, Jesu et Mariæ semper facias castissime famulari. Amen.

(An indulgence of one year to priests each time they recite this prayer.).

Holy Joseph, father and protector of virgins, faithful guardian to whom God confided Jesus, Innocence itself, and Mary, the Virgin of Virgins, by this twofold treasure I implore Thee to preserve me pure in body and in soul, so that I may serve Jesus and Mary in perfect chastity. Amen.

 

Memorare to Saint Joseph.

Remember, O most holy Joseph, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help and sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I come to thee, O Foster-Father of the Word Incarnate. Despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days. Pius IX. 1869.

 

Litany of Saint Joseph.

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 Ghost,

Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Spouse of Saint Joseph,

Holy Joseph, son of David,

Saint Joseph, chaste Spouse of the Virgin Mary,

Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family,

Saint Joseph, nursing Father of Jesus,

Saint Joseph, Protector of Jesus and and Mary,

Saint Joseph, humble artisan,

Saint Joseph, good and faithful servant,

Saint Joseph, whom God declared just,

Saint Joseph, humble imitation of Jesus and Mary,

Saint Joseph, proved by God,

Saint Joseph, ever submissive to the Divine Will,
Saint Joseph, model of humility,

Saint Joseph, Spotless Lily,

Saint Joseph, Patron of the Interior or hidden life,

Saint Joseph, our Protector,

Saint Joseph, who didst die in the arms of Jesus and Mary, Saint Joseph, aid of the dying,

Saint Joseph, patron of a happy death,

Saint Joseph, Help of the Church,

Saint Joseph, dispenser of grace,

 

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!

Christ hear us.

Christ graciously hear us.

V. Pray for us, Saint Joseph.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may be assisted by the merits of the spouse of thy most Holy Virgin Mother, that what of ourselves we cannot obtain, may be granted us through His intercession. Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

 

THE THREE INVOCATIONS.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart, my soul, and my life.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, assist me in my last agony.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, may I die in peace in your most holy company.

100 days indulgences each time.

Day 31 - Little Month of St. Joseph

 

31st Meditation.

"And was subject unto them."
-Saint Luke ii. 51.

 

Jesus yields obedience to Saint Joseph and the order of things seem reversed. Henceforth, what pretext will you find to dispense you from obeying? But I am wiser and better than is he who is placed over me as my superior. That may be, or it may not be so. The wisdom and sanctity of Jesus are incomparable, and yet Joseph commands and Jesus obeys.

Joseph commands Jesus! Kings have but men for their subjects. Joseph is more than king; true that but one subject forins his empire, but this subject is King of kings, and King of Angels, the God made man: Et erat subditus illis.

Joseph is surpassed by none! Placed between God and man, interpreter and instrument of the Divinity. Joseph, as prophet, transmits the divine message to people and kings. As being, in a certain sense, intermediary between God the Father and God the Son, Joseph is interpreter and instrument of the Eternal Father, and transmits the divine commands not to kings or nations but to Him who is the Monarch of all!

Can the sacerdotal dignity equal that of Joseph? From the throne of truth itself, Peter, living and infallible in the person of his successors, pronounces on faith, on morals. Prophet and king, the Holy Father teaches and commands; no earthly dignity so great as his, no function so sublime, save that of Joseph. Joseph speaks; and He who is power and wisdom, Jesus, the God Incarnate, obeys.

In heaven the saints do not lose the privileges granted to them on earth. Whilst here below, Joseph commanded Jesus; in heaven he turns his suppliant gaze on Jesus, and at once his prayers are answered. On earth Jesus obeyed Joseph, in heaven He forestalls his adopted father's slightest wish.

Have recourse, then, to Joseph.-Ite ad Joseph. He is all-powerful with Jesus. Watchword. Do God's will, and God will strengthen yours.

31. St. Joseph's Power with our Lord.

Catherine de Saint-Augustin, hospital sister in Quebec, beheld in vision, on the Feast of the Ascension, our Lord's entry into heaven. St. Joseph took precedence of the saints of the Old Testament. It was he who presented the King of Glory to his Eternal Father. Our Lord at the same time declared that in heaven He would continue to do the will of His adopted father.

 

Day 30 - Little Month of St. Joseph

 

30th Meditation.

"Is not this the carpenter's Son?"
-Saint Matthew xiii. 55.
"Is not this the carpenter?"
-Saint Mark vi. 3..
"Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?"
-Saint John vi. 42.

 

These appellations meet with no objections on the part of Jesus. Enough has been said by Him to show that God is His real Father; but Joseph, being His Heavenly Father's representative,  Spouse of Mary and head of the Family, Jesus acknowledges him as His adopted father. He heeds not being called the carpenter's son; there is nothing in that to humiliate or give offence. Joseph is no man for whom to blush.

These words, the last mention of Saint Joseph in the Gospel, show forth his most glorious title, his greatness, and his virtue. His greatness, for he fills the office of father to Jesus; his virtue, for he is worthy of this dignity, and Jesus is content to pass as Joseph's son.

Remain in the sphere in which Providence has placed you. Follow the example of Joseph. The glory of Jesus shines forth the brighter for Joseph's humility. Had our Lord's adopted father been a man of learning and position, we should have marvelled the less at the wondrous words that proceeded from his lips.

God's share in our actions is but rendered the more conspicuous by the lowliness of our position and the mediocrity of our talents. But, as with Joseph, so with us; and though we are but the instrument, and to God is due all the glory, some portion of it will be reflected on us.

Watchword. Fulfil the duties of your state, and by so doing you will glorify God.

30. Saint Joseph and the Papal Zouave.

Joseph le Saige de la Villebrune, lieutenant in the Papal army, had a tender devotion to Saint Joseph, and was not forgotten by the Saint. As his last hour drew nigh, he sent for the chaplain, saying: Saint Joseph bids me confess at once, as I have not a moment to lose. After hearing his confession, the chaplain announced that he was going to say Mass for the sick man, and would afterwards bring him the Holy Communion. Just as the chaplain was about to ascend the steps of the altar, Saint Joseph sent to say that there was no time to be lost; he recited aloud the prayers for Communion, thanking God for permitting him to retain his consciousness so long. When he had finished praying his delirium returned, but even then he opened his eyes only to turn them towards the image of the Saint; he even wished to throw himself on his knees before his holy patron, saying to the sisters, when they tried to persuade him to lie down again: "Give me my clothes quickly; do you not see that Saint Joseph is waiting for me?"

On the morrow, about three o'clock in the morning, he opened his eyes, fixed them on his patron, and gently passed away.

 

Day 29 - Little Month of St. Joseph

 

29th Meditation.

"And all that heard Him were astonished at His wisdom and His answers. And seeing Him they wondered. And His Mother said to Him: Son, why hast Thou done so to us? Behold Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing."
 -Saint Luke ii. 47, 48.

 

Joseph is here recognised by Mary as being the adopted father of Jesus, and by His silence Jesus acknowledges him as father, who exercises all the authority and undertakes all the cares of the parental office. Joseph shares all Mary's grief, wonder, and joy. The hour of trial is over, and consolation has arrived, a consolation mingled with wondering admiration at the way in which God has made trial and affliction redound to His glory and that of His tried ones. The joy is tempered by some admixture of austerity. It would almost seem as if Jesus reproached Mary and Joseph for their tender solicitude and anxiety at His absence. Impossible that such could be the case. It is not a reproach, but a respectful and gentle explanation, that Jesus gives. It is a child justifying himself for conduct that at first sight appears so strange. Jesus seems to say: "Is it possible I could have left you had not the glory of my Heavenly Father demanded it? No obligation less powerful, less sacred, could ever have withdrawn me from your loving presence: Nesciebatis, Did you not know it?"

When the glory of God requires it, forsake all sacrifice, even your warmest and most lawful affections.

Watchword. Seek first the glory of God.

29. Success in Missions.

Père Antoine Natal, of the Society of Jesus, had a great devotion to Saint Joseph, and published a book in honour of the Saint. Unwearied in his missionary labours, he ensured their success by placing them under the patronage of Saint Joseph, and offered him daily homage by the recitation of a chapter of prayer he had composed in honour of the Saint.

Day 28 - Little Month of St. Joseph

Day 28 - Little Month of St. Joseph

 

28th Meditation.

"And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions."
- Saint Luke ii. 45, 46.

 

Return to Jerusalem, enter the temple, have recourse to prayer, and you will find Jesus. But you must also seek and act. Joseph and Mary return to Jerusalem, but even on their way they do not relax in their search for the Divine Child.

At last they find Him. Ah! with what astonishment is Joseph overwhelmed. He has, by keeping silence, veiled the divinity of Jesus, and now, behold the Divine Child betrays Himself by the surprising wisdom of His questions and His replies.

Such circumstances as these are rare, and must serve as preceding only in obedience to inspiration or a special comman and then only if the glory of God requires it. Our habitual inclination should be to the quiet and retirement of a hidden life. As soon as Joseph and Mary appear, Jesus quits His astonished audience and rejoins His mother and His adopted father.

What tongue can tell their joy at hearing again the sweet dear voice of the Divine Child, and beholding His loving gaze! Who shall tell their consolation when they behold Him quit all to join them, thus showing that they were dearer to Him than all aught else on earth!

Let us be persistent in our search, unwearied in our entreaties, then shall we, in answer to our prayers, find Jesus in Jerusalem, in the temple, in the midst of the doctors. He withdraws but for a time, in order to teach and prove us. Watchword. To action, join prayer.

28. Saint Joseph and Prayer.

A poor religious was unable to meditate without being assailed by the most violent distractions. She had recourse to Saint Joseph, and her troubles ceased. Whenever she contemplated the perfections of the holy patriarch, she was lost in admiration, her slightest wish was granted; for instance, did she desire to rise earlier than usual, she had only to ask Saint Joseph's help, and she would awake at the desired time.

 

Day 27 - Little Month of St. Joseph

 

27th Meditation.

"And thinking that He was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance." - Saint Luke ii. 44.

 

Joseph and Mary seek for Jesus at first among their friends and acquaintance. This was a natural thing to do, and they were right in hoping to find Him there. Are you afflicted? Seek consolation among your friends and acquaintance. Nothing is more natural, nothing more reasonable; and therefore, save in case of a special interposition of Providence, nothing is more in conformity with the divine will. In acting thus you will frequently meet with the consolation of which you stand in need, but not always so, for at times your hopes will be frustrated. God wills us to act in accordance with the rules of human prudence, and to employ all natural means; then, when we have fulfilled our part, inspiration and light will come to direct us in the right way, and enable us to accomplish our desires.

Watchword. Help yourself, and God will help you.

27. Saint Joseph and the Gift of Prayer.

Père de Barry mentions an instance of a young woman who, finding great difficulty in prayer, made a novena to Saint Joseph, and from that time found great consolation in the sacred exercise.

The same father adds: "I have met with souls so closely united to God that, whatever their occupation, they never lose sight of the divine presence. I have asked, Whence came this grace? and one and all have given me the same reply-"We owe it to Saint Joseph."