St Joseph, guardian of the Holy Family and protector of the Church, is a model of faith, humility, and obedience. His figure, so close to our daily lives, invites us to turn to him in all our moments of difficulty and joy. He teaches us that spiritual greatness is found in silent service and total trust in divine Providence. It is recommended to pray the Litanies of St Joseph every Wednesday (or daily if possible!), as through them we remember his virtues and ask for his intercession.
Moreover, Pope Benedict XVI exhorted:
“If discouragement overwhelms you, think of the faith of St Joseph. If anxiety oppresses you, think of the hope of St Joseph. If exasperation or hatred dominates you, think of the love of St Joseph, the first man who laid his eyes on the human face of God. Let us praise Christ for giving us St Joseph as an example and model of love.”
This recommendation to pray the Litany of St Joseph daily reminds us of the importance of obedience, humility, and selfless love on the path to holiness, and prepares us to face daily challenges with the confidence that he accompanies us and intercedes for us.
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1. Litanies of St Joseph
Lord, have mercy on us; Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us; Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us; Lord, have mercy on us.·
Christ, hear us; Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously 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.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Renowned offspring of David, pray for us.
Light of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.Zealous defender of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph most just, pray for us.
Joseph most just, pray for us.
Joseph most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph most courageous, pray for us.
Joseph most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model of workers, pray for us.Glory of home life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of families, pray for us.
Solace of the wretched, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.·
Jesus, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Jesus, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Jesus, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.·
V. The Lord made him master of his household.
R. And ruler of all his possessions.·
Let us pray: O God, who in Your ineffable providence, deigned to choose Saint Joseph as the Spouse of Your Most Holy Mother: grant, we pray, that we may merit to have him as our intercessor in heaven whom we venerate as our protector on earth. You who live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.
2. Prayer to St Joseph that Pope Francis prays
Glorious Patriarch Saint Joseph, whose power makes the impossible possible, come to my aid in these times of anguish and difficulty. Take under your protection the serious and troubling situations that I commend to you, that they may have a happy outcome. My beloved Father, all my trust is in you. Let it not be said that I invoked you in vain, and since you can do everything with Jesus and Mary, show me that your goodness is as great as your power.
Amen.
Remember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them.
Amen.
3. Prayer to St Joseph Before Communion
O happy man, blessed Joseph, to whom it was granted not only to see and hear the God whom many kings longed to see and did not see, to hear and did not hear; but also to embrace Him, kiss Him, clothe Him and guard Him!
V. Pray for us, blessed Joseph.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.·
Prayer: O God, who has given us a royal priesthood; we pray that, as Saint Joseph deserved to lovingly handle and carry Your only begotten Son, born of the Virgin Mary, in his arms, make us serve You with a clean heart and good works, so that today we may worthily receive the most holy body and blood of Your Son, and in the future life may we deserve to attain the eternal reward.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
4. Prayer to St Joseph After Communion
Guardian and father of virgins, Saint Joseph, to whose faithful care Christ Jesus, Innocence itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, were committed: I pray and beseech you by these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary, that, being preserved from all impurity, I may with spotless mind, pure heart, and chaste body, ever serve Jesus and Mary most chastely all the days of my life.
Amen.
The best way to ask for God’s help is during the Holy Mass, where you unite with Christ, who offers Himself to the Father for the salvation of all souls. Offer your sufferings with Him, and He will give you what is best for your salvation. Sometimes, it will coincide with what you ask for; other times, it won’t, but God will hear your plea.
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The devotion to St Joseph is not simply a ritual practice, but a path of inner transformation. In his figure, we find the perfect example of how to serve God with humility, courage, and love. By praying the litany of St Joseph and prayers, we not only invoke a powerful intercessor, but also commit ourselves to imitate his virtues in our daily lives.
The act of turning to St Joseph, both in the intimacy of daily prayer and in significant moments such as the preparation and thanksgiving of communion, brings us closer to a model of spiritual fatherhood that inspires us to live faithfully and face adversities with hope.
Pope Benedict XVI and many of our saints – from St. Teresa of Avila to St. John Paul II – have highlighted the importance of honoring this saint, reminding us that his discretion and strength are an inexhaustible source of intercession. By integrating these prayers into our lives, we discover that each invocation strengthens us and prepares us to follow the divine plan with confidence and serenity.
May this devotion to St Joseph illuminate your path, guide you in daily decisions, and protect you in moments of uncertainty. By trusting in his intercession, we allow God’s grace to transform our inner selves and make us worthy of the eternal life promised in the Gospel. May the example of St. Joseph, with his fidelity and humility, inspire in you a life of authentic holiness, and may his protection always accompany you on your journey towards salvation.
May God bless you and may St Joseph intercede for you at every step of your journey!
