Prayer to Saint Joseph (over 1900 years old)

O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that, having engaged here below your Heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen.

Say for nine consecutive mornings for anything you may desire. It has seldom been known to fail. This prayer was found in the fiftieth year of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In 1505, it was sent by the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Whosoever reads this prayer or hears it or carries it, will never die a sudden death, nor be drowned, nor will poison take effect on them. They will not fall into the hands of the enemy nor be burned in any fire, nor will they be defeated in battle. Make this prayer known everywhere.

St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity) ~ 2014

We celebrate the patronage of St. Joseph and the Church asks for his intercession and protection. St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster-father of Jesus. In God's plan and will, he was destined to become the spouse of the Mother of God. Joseph faithfully accepted the will God obediently and he fulfilled the trust God in him by caring, protecting and guarding God's greatest treasures upon earth, Jesus and Mary. In the gospel, St. Joseph was called to be the husband of Mary and in accepting to do so he was also taking the responsibility to take charge and to protect Jesus as his son. Joseph was not wealthy but he was a silent man, a prudent man, a listener, a compassionate man (Matthew 1:19, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly), a strong man, a courageous man (Matthew 2:13-14, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, .... Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt ....) and he loved Mary and Jesus. The bible does not mentioned about Joseph death, but tradition says that he died some time before the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. St. Joseph has been called the Protector of the Redeemer by Pope John Paul ll.

Liturgical veneration of St. Joseph, started somewhere in 15th century and was fostered by St. Brigid of Sweden and St. Bernadine of Siena. At current time there are two feast day dedicated to St. Joseph, 19 March is to venerate and honour him personally in the role as husband of Mary, the Mother of God and head of the Holy Family, and on 1 May we honour him as St. Joseph the worker (Joseph was a carpenter by trade), the patron of workmen (workers) throughout the world. St. Joseph is also known as the Protector of Virginity, for respecting Mary’s divine motherhood all his life. He was proclaimed the patron of Universal Church by Pope Pius IX on 8 December, 1870.

St. Joseph, the shadow of the Eternal Father upon earth, the protector of Jesus in His home at Nazareth, and a lover of all children for the sake of the Holy Child, should be the chosen guardian and pattern of every true Christian family.

“Saint Joseph is a man of great spirit. He is great in faith, 

not because he speaks his own words, 

but above all because he listens 

to the words of the Living God. 

He listens in silence. 

And his heart ceaselessly perseveres in the readiness 

to accept the Truth contained in the word of the Living God,” 

~ * ~ Pope John Paul II ~ * ~

"Let us allow ourselves to be infected 

by the silence of St. Joseph,

We need it very much, in a world that is often too noisy."

~ * ~ Pope Benedict XVI ~ * ~

Angelus Message on the Feast of St. Joseph, 2006

We ask St. Joseph,

the earthly Guardian of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

and the foster father of Jesus,

to show and teach us to love unconditionally 

and to be good and faithful servants of the Lord.

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that by Saint Joseph's intercession your Church may constantly watch over the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation, whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Wednesday, 19 March, 2014
St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity)

Reading 1

2 Samuel 7: 4 - 5, 12 - 14, 16
4	But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan,
5	"Go and tell my servant David, `Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in?
12	When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
13	He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
14	I will be his father, and he shall be my son. When he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men;
16	And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.'"

Psalm

Psalms 89: 2 - 5, 27, 29
2	For thy steadfast love was established for ever, thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens.
3	Thou hast said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant:
4	`I will establish your descendants for ever, and build your throne for all generations.'" [Selah]
5	Let the heavens praise thy wonders, O LORD, thy faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
27	And I will make him the first-born, the highest of the kings of the earth.
29	I will establish his line for ever and his throne as the days of the heavens.

Reading 2

Romans 4: 13, 16 - 18, 22
13	The promise to Abraham and his descendants, that they should inherit the world, did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
16	That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants -- not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, for he is the father of us all,
17	as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations" -- in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
18	In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations; as he had been told, "So shall your descendants be."
22	That is why his faith was "reckoned to him as righteousness."

Gospel

Matthew 1: 16, 18 - 21, 24
16	and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
18	Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit;
19	and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
20	But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit;
21	she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
24	When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife,

or

Luke 2: 41 - 51
41	Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.
42	And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom;
43	and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,
44	but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances;
45	and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46	After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions;
47	and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48	And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously."
49	And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
50	And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.
51	And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

Prayer

God of Love, 

Joseph was the husband of Mary, 

and you entrusted Jesus to his care. 

I am inspired by his fidelity and integrity 

as your self-sacrificing servant. 

Allow Joseph to offer strength, courage, 

fidelity and tender self-less love 

to all husbands. 

Let this holy family renew in me 

the desire to be your servant, 

faithful in the vocation you have given me.

Amen.

O Infant JESUS, through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy mother and St. Joseph, Your loving foster father, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted.

O Infant Jesus, I come to You, seeking You to save me. I am in great need for your miraculous help in pressing financial situation that I am going through currently. I do not seek a large sum of money or trouble you for unneeded comforts or luxuries. All I am requesting is for enough money to relief my financial debt woes, ease this stress and some extra to get my day to day life back on track. The stress caused by my worries has started to interfere and mess with all my other parts of my life. Full of trust, I truly believe and with hope to obtain Your holy grace. I love You, Jesus, I am painfully sorry for my sins and I beg You, and to set me free from them. I promise to change, improve myself and to never offend You. I offer myself to You, give me the means to do Your work, and spread Your Love. I have only so much to give, if only I were allowed the chance. Infant Jesus show me Your goodness, and deliver me from my difficulties. Infant Jesus, Mighty and Sweet Child, I offer You all Glory, Praise and Thanksgiving belongs to You. Divine Child Jesus, Infant Jesus, heal me by Your will, extend Your holy hand and by Your power take away all my worries and bestow Your peace upon me today that I may have eternal joy with You, Mary, Your Most Holy mother and St. Joseph, Your loving foster father. O Infant Jesus, You who have said, ask and you shall receive, seek and you will find, ask and it shall be opened to you. Through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy mother and St. Joseph, Your loving foster father, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted. AMEN.

We all need help from time to time, 

especially in desperate and pressing times 

and there is no shame in asking for it. 

God will work wonders through his people. 

All Glory. Praise and Thanksgiving 

to Our Father, God in Heaven and on Earth.

To offer a helping hand, follow this link. 

May the Good Lord Bless you 

for Your sincere help a hundred-fold. 

God Bless and Thank You. 

St. Joseph included into Rite of Mass (19 June 2013)

Pope Francis has confirmed a new addition to the Latin Rite Mass. The name of St. Joseph, will be included after the usual prayer to the Virgin Mary.

- in Eucharistic Prayer II:
“ut cum beáta Dei Genetríce Vírgine María, beáto Ioseph, eius Sponso, beátis Apóstolis”
that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with Blessed Joseph, her Spouse, with the blessed Apostles...

- in Eucharistic Prayer III:
“cum beatíssima Vírgine, Dei Genetríce, María, cum beáto Ioseph, eius Sponso, cum beátis Apóstolis”;
with the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with blessed Joseph, her Spouse, with your blessed Apostles and glorious Martyrs....

- in Eucharistic Prayer IV:
“cum beáta Vírgine, Dei Genetríce, María, cum beáto Ioseph, eius Sponso, cum Apóstolis ”.
with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with blessed Joseph, her Spouse, and with your Apostles...

The official full decree as follows:

CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE WORSHIP AND THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SACRAMENTS Decree Regarding the Mention of the Divine Name of St. Joseph in the Eucharistic Prayers II, III, and IV Exercising his paternal care over Jesus, Saint Joseph of Nazareth, set over the Lord’s family, marvelously fulfilled the office he received by grace. Adhering firmly to the mystery of God’s design of salvation in its very beginnings, he stands as an exemplary model of the kindness and humility that the Christian faith raises to a great destiny, and demonstrates the ordinary and simple virtues necessary for men to be good and genuine followers of Christ. Through these virtues, this Just man, caring most lovingly for the Mother of God and happily dedicating himself to the upbringing of Jesus Christ, was placed as guardian over God the Father’s most precious treasures. Therefore he has been the subject of assiduous devotion on the part of the People of God throughout the centuries, as the support of that mystical body, which is the Church. The faithful in the Catholic Church have shown continuous devotion to Saint Joseph and have solemnly and constantly honored his memory as the most chaste spouse of the Mother of God and as the heavenly Patron of the universal Church. For this reason Blessed Pope John XXIII, in the days of the Most Holy Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, decreed that Saint Joseph’s name be added to the ancient Roman Canon. In response to petitions received from places throughout the world, the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI deemed them worthy of implementation and graciously approved them. The Supreme Pontiff Francis likewise has recently confirmed them. In this the Pontiffs had before their eyes the full communion of the Saints who, once pilgrims in this world, now lead us to Christ and unite us with him. Accordingly, mature consideration having been given to all the matters mentioned here above, this Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, by virtue of the faculties granted by the Supreme Pontiff Francis, is pleased to decree that the name of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary is henceforth to be added to Eucharistic Prayers II, III, and IV, as they appear in the third typical edition of the Roman Missal, after the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as follows: in Eucharistic Prayer II: "ut cum beáta Dei Genetríce Vírgine María, beáto Ioseph, eius Sponso, beátis Apóstolis"; in Eucharistic Prayer III: "cum beatíssima Vírgine, Dei Genetríce, María, cum beáto Ioseph, eius Sponso, cum beátis Apóstolis"; and in Eucharistic Prayer IV: "cum beáta Vírgine, Dei Genetríce, María, cum beáto Ioseph, eius Sponso, cum Apóstolis ". As regards the Latin text, these formulas are hereby declared typical. The Congregation itself will soon provide vernacular translations in the more widespread western languages; as for other languages, translations are to be prepared by the Bishops’ Conferences, according to the norm of law, to be confirmed by the Holy See through this Dicastery. All things to the contrary notwithstanding. From the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 1 May 2013, on the Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker. Antonio Card. Cañizares Llovera Prefect + Arthur Roche Archbishop Secretary Formulae quae ad nomen Sancti Joseph spectant in Preces eucharisticas II, III et IV Missalis Romani inserendae, linguis anglica, hispanica, italica, lusitana, gallica, germanica et polonica exaratae Probatum Ex aedibus Congregationis de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacramentorum, die 1 mensis Maii 2013. + Arturus Roche Archiepiscopus a Secretis Anglice In Eucharistic Prayer II: "that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with blessed Joseph, her Spouse, with the blessed Apostles..."; In Eucharistic Prayer III: "with the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with blessed Joseph, her Spouse, with your blessed Apostles and glorious Martyrs..."; In Eucharistic Prayer IV: "with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with blessed Joseph, her Spouse, and with your Apostles...".

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20130501_san-giuseppe_en.html

Prayer in Honouring the 7 Sorrows and 7 Joys of St. Joseph

Composed 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 minded to 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 thee Mary thy wife, for that which is begotten in her is of the Holy Spirit. 

1. O chaste Spouse of Mary most holy, glorious St. Joseph, great was the trouble and anguish of thy heart when thou were minded to put away privately thine inviolate Spouse, yet thy joy was unspeakable when the surpassing mystery of the Incarnation was made known to thee by the Angel! 

By this sorrow and this joy, we beseech thee to comfort our souls, both now and in the sorrows of our final hour, with the joy of a good life and a holy death after the pattern of thine 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 a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 

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

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

2. O most blessed Patriarch, glorious St. Joseph, who was chosen to be the foster father of the Word made flesh, thy sorrow at seeing the Child Jesus born in such poverty was suddenly changed into heavenly exultation when thou didst hear the angelic hymn and beheld the glories of that resplendent night. 

By this sorrow and this joy, we implore thee to obtain for us the grace to pass over from life's pathway to hear the angelic songs of praise, and to rejoice in the shining splendour 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 given to 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. 

3. O glorious St. Joseph thou faithfully obeyed the law of God, and thy heart was pierced at the sight of the Precious Blood that was shed by the Infant Saviour during His Circumcision, but the Name of Jesus gave thee new life and filled thee with quiet joy. 

By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us the grace to be freed from all sin during life, and to die 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 fall and the rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be contradicted. And thine own soul a sword 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 all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 

4. O most faithful Saint who shared the mysteries of our Redemption, glorious St. Joseph, the prophecy of Simeon regarding the sufferings of Jesus ant Mary caused thee to shudder with mortal dread, but at the same time filled thee 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 midst thereof. 

5. O most watchful Guardian of the Incarnate Son of God, glorious St. Joseph, what toil was thine in supporting and waiting upon the Son of the most high God, especially in the flight into Egypt! Yet at the same time, how thou didst rejoice to have always near you God Himself, and to see 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 the infernal 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 for them 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 go there; 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 into Galilee, into their own town of Nazareth. 

6.O glorious St. Joseph, an angel on earth, thou didst marvel to see the King of Heaven obedient to thy commands, but thy consolation in bringing Jesus out of the land of Egypt was troubled by thy fear of Archelaus; nevertheless, being assured by the Angel, thou 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 thee, 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 the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 

7. O glorious St. Joseph, pattern of all holiness, when thou didst lose, through no fault of thine own, the Child Jesus, thou sought Him sorrowing for the space of three days, until with great joy thou didst find Him again in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors. 

By this sorrow and this joy, we supplicate thee, with our hearts upon our lips, to keep us from ever 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 to enjoy His presence in Heaven; and there, in company with thee, 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 was supposed) 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 Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. 

AMEN.