Wednesday – Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph has left an admirable example of a life devoted to Jesus and Mary. We cannot afford to neglect Joseph, upon whom the Blessed Virgin showered love, reverence, and obedience, and to whom the Divine Child was happily obedient.
MEMORARE TO SAINT JOSEPH
Remember, O most pure spouse of the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, my beloved patron, that never hath it been heard that anyone invoked thy patronage and sought thine aid without being comforted. Inspired by this confidence, I come to thee and fervently commend myself to thee. Ah, despise not my petition, dear foster-father of our Redeemer, but accept it graciously. Amen.
TO SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
O glorious Saint Joseph, chosen by God to be the foster-father of Jesus, the chaste spouse of Mary ever Virgin, and the head of the Holy Family and then appointed by the Vicar of Christ to be the heavenly patron and defender of the Church founded by Jesus, most confidently do I implore at this moment thy powerful aid for all the Church militant on earth. Do thou shield with thy truly paternal love especially the Supreme Pontiff and all the Bishops and priests who are in union with the Holy See of Peter. Be the defender of all who labor for souls amidst the trials and tribulations of this life, and cause all the peoples of the earth to submit themselves in a docile spirit to that Church which is the ark of salvation for all men.
Be pleased also, dear Saint Joseph, to accept this dedication of myself wholly to thee, that thou mayest ever be my father, my patron and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent devotion to the interior life. Grant that, following thine example, I may direct all my actions to the greater glory of God, in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the immaculate heart of Mary and in union with thee. Finally, pray for me that I may be a partaker in the peace and joy which were thine at the hour of thy holy death. Amen.
FOR PURITY
Saint Joseph, father and guardian of virgins, into whose faithful keeping were entrusted Innocence itself, Christ Jesus, and Mary, the Virgin of virgins, I pray and beseech thee through Jesus and Mary, those pledges so dear to thee, to keep me from all uncleanness, and to grant that my mind may be untainted, my heart pure and my body chaste; help me always to serve Jesus and Mary in perfect chastity. Amen.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO SAINT JOSEPH
Great Saint Joseph, most chaste spouse of the Queen of Virgins, foster-father of the Word made flesh, I choose thee today as my special protector against the enemies of my salvation, I pledge myself to remain faithful to thee till death, and to advance thy honor as far as may be in my power. In return, O great Saint, deign to admit me into the number of thy clients, enlighten me in my doubts, strengthen me in my weakness, comfort me in my sorrows, protect me in my last hour, and help to bring me safe to heaven, there to praise with thee forever the most holy and adorable Trinity. Amen.
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 Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint 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.
Foster-father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Diligent protector of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph most just, pray for us.
Joseph most chaste, pray for us.
Joseph most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph most strong, 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 artisans, 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.
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.
Leader: He made him lord of His house:
Response: And ruler of all His substance.
LET US PRAY
O God, who in Thine unspeakable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may deserve to have him as our intercessor in heaven, whom we venerate on earth as our protector: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
DAILY PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH
O my beloved Saint Joseph! adopt me as thy child; take charge of my salvation; watch over me day and night; preserve me from occasions of sin; obtain for me purity of body and soul, and the spirit of prayer, through thy intercession with Jesus. Grant me a spirit of sacrifice, of humility, and self-denial; obtain for me a burning love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and a sweet, tender love for Mary, my Mother. Saint Joseph, be with me in life, be with me in death, and obtain for me a favorable judgment from Jesus, my merciful Savior. Amen.
TO SAINT JOSEPH FOR A HAPPY DEATH
Saint Joseph is the patron of a happy death because he himself died the happiest of happy deaths. According to tradition, Saint Joseph died in Nazareth before the public life of Jesus and in the arms of Jesus and .Mary. Saint Joseph knows, then, what it is to die well. We should ask him often for the greatest of graces, that of a happy, holy death.
O Blessed Joseph, who didst yield up thy last breath in the arms of Jesus and Mary, obtain for me, I beseech of you, the grace of a happy death. Defend me from the attacks of my infernal enemy in that hour of pain and anguish, to which I now invite you, that you may assist me by your presence and protect me by your power; and obtain for me this grace, O holy Joseph, that I may breathe forth my soul in praise, saying in spirit, if I am unable to do so in words: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my life. Amen.
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From The Prayer Book-Beautiful and Helpful Prayers from Ancient and Modern Sources edited by Reverend John P O’Connell, MA, STD and Jex Martin, MA The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago Illinois in 1959. 29-33. © 1954 Imprimatur Samuel Cardinal Stritch, Archbishop of Chicago May 10 1954. Print.