Ite ad Joseph! Go to St. Joseph!

1,900 year-old Prayer

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 Loving of Fathers.

O St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach you 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. Pray each day fornine consecutive days for a special intention.

For A Happy Death

O Blessed Joseph, you gave your last breath in the loving embrace of Jesus and Mary. When the seal of death shall close my life, come with Jesus and Mary to aid me. Obtain for me this solace for that hour - to die with their holy arms around me. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I commend my soul, living and dying, into your sacred arms. Amen.

For Employment

Prayer for Employment
Dear Saint Joseph, you were yourself once faced with the responsibility of providing the necessities of life for Jesus and Mary. Look down with fatherly compassion upon me in my anxiety with my present inability to support my family. Please help me find gainful employment very soon, so that this great burden of concern will be lifted from my heart and that I am soon able to provide for those whom God has entrusted to my care. Help me guard against discouragement, so that I may emerge from this trial spiritually enriched and with even greater blessings from God. Amen.

For Sanctification of Work

For Sanctification of Work
O God, the creator of all things, you framed the law of labour for the human race. Graciously grant, by the example and patronage of St. Joseph, that we may do the work You provide us and earn the reward You promise. Sustain us with Your grace to live up to our duties in charity and justice.
Amen

7 Sorrow and Joys

First Sorrow and Joy
The Ordeal of Joseph and the Message of an Angel
cf. Mt. 1:19, Mt. 1:20

O most pure Spouse of Mary,
glorious St. Joseph,
as the affliction and anguish of thy heart was exceedingly great in thy perplexity,
whether thou shouldst abandon thy most unspotted Spouse,
so was the joy unspeakable when,
by an Angel,
the sublime Mystery of the Incarnation was revealed to thee.

By this sorrow and joy,
we beseech thee that now,
and in our last agony,
thou mayest comfort our souls by the joy of a good life
and a holy death,
like thine in the society of Jesus and Mary.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

Second Sorrow and Joy
The Poverty of Jesus' Birth and the Birth of the Savior
Lk 2:7 and Lk 2:10-11

O most happy Patriarch,
glorious Saint Joseph,
who wast to fulfill the duty
of foster father to the Incarnate Word,
thy sorrow in beholding the poverty
of the Child Jesus in His birth,
was changed immediately into heavenly delight,
by hearing the angelic harmony,
and by beholding the glory of that most resplendent night.
By this thy sorrow and joy,
we beseech Thee,
that, after the passage of this life,
we may in the next hear the angelic praises
and enjoy the brightness of eternal glory.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

Third Sorrow and Joy
The Circumcision and the Holy Name of Jesus
Lk 2:21, Mt 1:25
O most excellent observer of the divine law,
glorious St. Joseph,
the most precious Blood which the Divine Infant,
our Redeemer, shed in His circumcision,
afflicted thy heart:
but the Sacred Name of Jesus revived it
and replenished it with gladness.
By this thy sorrow and joy,
obtain for us,
that during our life we may be free from every vice,
and may in death joyfully breathe forth our soul
with the Most Holy Name of Jesus in our hearts and on our
lips.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

Fourth Sorrow and Joy
The Prophecy of Simeon and the Redemption
Lk 2:43, Lk 2:38
O most faithful Saint,
who wast admitted to a participation
in the Mystery of our Redemption,
glorious St. Joseph,
if the prophecy of Simeon,
concerning what Jesus and Mary were to suffer,
gave thee mortal affliction,
thou wast likewise filled with holy joy for the salvation
and glorious resurrection of innumerable souls,
which he likewise foretold.
By this thy sorrow and joy, obtain for us,
that we may be among the number of those who,
through the merits of Jesus
and the intercession of His Virgin Mother,
will arise to everlasting glory.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

Fifth Sorrow and Joy
The Flight into Egypt and the Overthrow of the Idols of Egypt
Mt 2:14, Is 19:1
O Most vigilant guardian and intimate friend
of the Incarnate Son of God,
glorious St. Joseph,
how much didst thou suffer in providing for
and serving the Son of the Most High,
particularly in the flight thou wast obliged to make into
Egypt!
But how much also didst thou rejoice
in having always with thee the same God,
and seeing the Egyptian idols fall prostrate on the ground!
By this thy sorrow and joy,
obtain for us,
that we may keep at a distance from the infernal tyrant,
especially by flying from dangerous occasions,
so that the idols of earthly affections may fall from our
hearts,
and that, being entirely devoted
to the service of Jesus and Mary,
we may live for them alone,
and with them calmly die.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

Sixth Sorrow and Joy
The Return from Egypt and Life with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth
Mt 2:22, Lk 2:46
O angel on earth,
glorious St. Joseph,
who didst behold,
subject to thine orders the King of heaven:
although thy joy in conducting Him back
was disturbed by the fear of Archilaus,
thou wast, nevertheless,
comforted by an Angel,
and didst dwell in safety with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth.
By this thy sorrow and joy,
obtain for us,
that our hearts being released from hurtful fears,
we may enjoy peace of conscience,
and live in security with Jesus and Mary,
and die in their embraces.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

Seventh Sorrow and Joy
The Loss of the Child Jesus and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple
Lk 2:45, Lk 2:46
O model of all sanctity,
glorious saint Joseph,
having lost the Divine Child without any fault of thine,
thou didst seek Him in great sorrow for three days,
until at length thou was filled with exceeding gladness
on finding Him in the temple amidst the doctors.
By this thy sorrow and joy, we beseech Thee,
to intercede for us,
that we may never lose Jesus by grievous sin, but that,
should we have the misfortune to lose Him,
we may seek for Him with unwearied sorrow until we have
happily found Him:
and particularly that we may find Him at the hour of our
death,
in order to enjoy Him in heaven,
and there with thee to sing eternally His divine mercies.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

Anthem. - Jesus Himself was beginning His public life
about the age of thirty years,
being, as it was supposed,
the Son of Joseph.

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

Let us Pray. - O God, Who,
by Thy wonderful Providence didst vouchsafe to choose St.
Joseph
to be the spouse of Thy Most Holy Mother;
grant, we beseech Thee,
that he whom we generate as our protector on earth,
may be our intercessor in heaven:
Who livest and reignest,
world without end.

Amen.
(Special avours have been obtained by the recitation of the following prayers in honour of St. Joseph: -)

O glorious St. Joseph,
faithful follower of Jesus Christ,
to you do we raise our hearts and hands
to implore your powerful intercession
in obtaining from the benign Heart of Jesus
all the helps and graces necessary
for our spiritual and temporal welfare;
particularly the grace of a happy death,
and the special favour we now implore.

(Here mention or reflect upon your lawful requests)

O Guardian of the Word Incarnate,
we feel animated with confidence
that your prayers in our behalf
will be graciously heard before the throne of God.

(Say the following versicle seven times, in honour of the seven joys and sorrows of saint Joseph)
V. O glorious St. Joseph,
through the love you bear to Jesus Christ,
and for the glory of His name.
R. Hear our prayers,
and obtain our petitions.

To Know One's Vocation

Prayer To Know One's Vocation:
O Great Saint Joseph, you were completely obedient to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Obtain for me the grace to know the state of life that God in His providence has chosen for me. Since my happiness on earth, and perhaps even my final happiness in heaven, depends on this choice, let me not be deceived in making it.
Obtain for me the light to know God's Will, to carry it out faithfully, and to choose the vocation which will lead me to a happy eternity.

Parent's Prayer

Parent's Prayer
O glorious St. Joseph, to you God committed the care of His only begotten Son amid the many dangers of this world. We come to you and ask you to take under your special protection the children God has given us. Through holy baptism they became children of God and members of His holy Church. We consecrate them to you today, that through this consecration they may become your foster children. Guard them, guide their steps in life, form their hearts after the hearts of Jesus and Mary.
St. Joseph, who felt the tribulation and worry of a parent when the child Jesus was lost, protect our dear children for time and eternity. May you be their father and counsellor. Let them, like Jeus, grow in age as well as in wisdom and grace before God and men. Preserve them from the corruption of his world, and give us the grace one day to be united with them in Heaven forever. Amen.

JHN's Triduo to St. Joseph

A TRIDUO TO ST. JOSEPH BY ST. JOHN HENRY NEWMAN

FIRST DAY: Consider the Glorious Titles of St. Joseph
He was the true and worthy Spouse of Mary, supplying in a visible manner the place of Mary’s Invisible Spouse, the Holy Ghost. He was a virgin, and his virginity was the faithful mirror of the virginity of Mary. He was the Cherub, placed to guard the new terrestrial Paradise from the intrusion of every foe.

V. Blessed be the name of Joseph.
R. Henceforth and forever. Amen.

Let us pray.

God, who in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the husband of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may be made worthy to receive him for our intercessor in heaven, whom on earth we venerate as our holy Protector: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

SECOND DAY: Consider the Glorious Titles of St. Joseph
His was the title of father of the Son of God, because he was the Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin. He was our Lord’s father, because Jesus ever yielded to him the obedience of a son. He was our Lord’s father, because to him were entrusted, and by him were faithfully fulfilled, the duties of a father, in protecting Him, giving Him a home, sustaining and rearing Him, and providing Him with a trade.

V. Blessed be the name of Joseph.
R. Henceforth and forever. Amen.

Let us pray. {prayer as on the First Day}

THIRD DAY: Consider the Glorious Titles of St. Joseph

He is Holy Joseph, because according to the opinion of a great number of doctors, he, as well as St. John the Baptist, was sanctified even before he was born. He is Holy Joseph, because his office, of being spouse and protector of Mary, specially demanded sanctity. He is Holy Joseph, because no other Saint but he lived in such and so long intimacy and familiarity with the source of all holiness, Jesus, God incarnate, and Mary, the holiest of creatures.

V. Blessed be the name of Joseph.
R. Henceforth and forever. Amen.

Let us pray. {prayer as on the First Day}

Source: Newman, John Henry. John Henry Newman: Prayers, Verses and Devotions. Ignatius, 2019, pp. 320-322. © 2019

Litany of St. Joseph

Litany of St. 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, etc. God the Holy Ghost,

Holy Trinity, One God,

Holy Mary, Pray for us

St. Joseph, Pray for us

Illustrious Son of David, etc.

Light of Patriarchs,

Spouse of the Mother of God,

Chaste guardian of the Virgin,

Foster father of the Son of God,

Diligent protector of Christ,

Head of the Holy Family,

Joseph most just,

Joseph most chaste,

Joseph most prudent,

Joseph most valiant,

Joseph most obedient, Pray for us

Joseph most faithful, etc.

Mirror of patience,

Lover of poverty,

Model of artisans,

Glory of home life,

Guardian of virgins,

Pillar of families,

Solace of the wretched, 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.

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

Let us pray.

O God, in Thine ineffable providence Thou wert pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector. Who livest and reignest, world without end.

Amen.

Ite ad Joseph! Go to St. Joseph!

A TRIDUO TO ST. JOSEPH BY ST. JOHN HENRY NEWMAN