to Jesus through Mary and Joseph
Prayers to St. Joseph
Prayers to St. Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus, date back almost as far as Our Lord’s time! Although he came from King David’s noble lineage, St. Joseph (left) lived a life of great humility and devotion to his Holy Family as a carpenter.
St. Theresa of Avila echoed this sentiment when she wrote “I know by experience that the glorious St. Joseph assists us generally in all necessities. I never asked him for anything which he did not obtain for me.”
This prayer is among the earliest prayers to St. Joseph, (from around A.D. 50) and also one of the best known:
Memorare to St. Joseph
Remember,
O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone
who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you,
my spiritual father, and beg your protection. O Foster Father of the Redeemer, despise not my petitions, but in your goodness hear and answer me.
Amen.
Prayer to St. Joseph by Pope Leo XIII
To you, O blessed Joseph,
do we come in our tribulation,
and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse,
we confidently invoke your patronage also.
Through that charity which bound you
to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God
and through the paternal love
with which you embraced the Child Jesus,
we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance
which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood,
and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.
O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family,
defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ;
O most loving father, ward off from us
every contagion of error and corrupting influence;
O our most mighty protector, be kind to us
and from heaven assist us in our struggle
with the power of darkness.
As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril,
so now protect God's Holy Church
from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity;
shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection,
so that, supported by your example and your aid,
we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness,
and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven.
Amen.
This prayer to Saint Joseph—spouse of the Virgin Mary, foster father of Jesus, and patron saint of the universal Church—was composed by Pope Leo XIII in his 1889 encyclical, Quamquam pluries. He asked that it be added to the end of the Rosary, especially during the month of October, which is dedicated to the Rosary. It may be said after the customary Salve Regina and concluding prayer, and may also be used to conclude other Marian devotions.
St. Joseph, Model of Laborers
Good Saint Joseph, when God wanted a
family for his Son, He looked among the
labourers, and chose you along with Mary,
demonstrating His esteem for human work.
You put your heart into your work, and share
your workshop with Jesus. Your work, like that
of other humans, found new meaning in the presence
of God.
Sustain us in the hope of finding work when we are
confronted with the desolation of unemployment.
Counsel business leaders to create an equitable
division of labour that is respectful of individuals,
and promotes our growth and happiness.
Help us to perform our work joyfully, conscientiously,
fairly and honestly. Prepare our hearts to recognize
your Son in our colleagues at work.
Amen.
St. Joseph, Hope of the Sick
Benevolent Joseph, the Son of God placed
his life in your hands.
With Mary, you cared for Him who is the force of life.
May your compassion enfold our fragility, bringing us
the comfort of the divine presence.
We join with you in prayer, saying :
« Lord Jesus, Son of Living God, say a word for our healing ! »
Make us sensitive to the illnesses of those close to us.
Support our efforts and grant us courage in the fight
against all evil.
Help us to find meaning in God’s great project for humanity beyond the sicknesses and sufferings that blind our sight. The love of God be with us, as our hope lies with Him.
Amen.
Prayer of St. Louis de Montfort
Hail Joseph the just, wisdom is with you; blessed are you among all men and blessed is Jesus, the fruit of Mary, the faithful spouse.
Holy Joseph, worthy foster-father of Jesus Christ, pray for us sinners and obtain divine wisdom for us from God, now and at the hour of our death. Amen
Prayer of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
O Chaste spouse of the most pure and most holy creatures, how happy you must be for having found such favor and grace before the Eternal Father, who gave his Son; before the Son who made you the tutor of his sacred humanity; before the Holy Spirit who entrusted his spouse to you so that you could be like the cherubim who guarded the fruit of life in the garden of Eden. How happy and blessed are they whom you love and whom you take under your protection!
O faithful guardian of the Mother of God, keep those who honor you amid the trials and joys of this life. Lovable tutor of Jesus, help your servants in the dangers and difficulties of their exile; may they feel the effects of your love. Obtain for them devotion to your spouse, fidelity to your Son, unfailing respect for the Eternal Father who reigns with the Holy Spirit through endless ages. Amen.
Prayer of St. Peter Julian Eymard
O glorious Saint joseph, you who did faithfully obey the law of God, your heart was pierced at the sight of the Precious Blood that was shed by the infant Savior during his circumcision, but the name of Jesus gave you new life and filled you 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. Amen.
Prayer of St. Bernardine of Siena
Remember us, Saint Joseph, and plead for us to your foster-child. Ask your most holy bride, the Virgin Mary, to look kindly upon us, since she is the mother of him who with the father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns eternally. Amen.
Prayer of St. Francis de Sales
Glorious St Joseph, spouse of Mary, grant us thy paternal protection, we beseech thee by the heart of Jesus Christ. O thou, whose power extends to all our necessities and can render possible for us the most impossible things, open thy fatherly eyes to the needs of thy children.
In the trouble and distress which afflicts us, we confidently have recourse to thee. Deign to take under your charitable charge this important and difficult matter, cause of our worries. Make its happy outcome be for God’s glory and for the good of His devoted servants. Amen.
Prayer of Blessed Bartolo Longo
Prostrate at your feet, O great saint, I venerate you as the Father of my Lord and my God. You are the Head of the Holy Family, and a cause of joy and delight to the Holy Trinity. What a glory for you to be the Father of a Son who is the Only Begotten of God! What a blessing to know that you are a father to us and that we are your children. Yes, we are your children because we are brothers and sister of Jesus Christ, who wanted to be call your Son.
As your children, we have a right to the tenderness and goodness of your paternal heart. Accept us therefore! Take us under your protection! Teach us to love patience, prudence, kindness, modesty and purity. Be our refuge and solace in our pains, in our needs both now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Prayer of St. Alphonsus Liguori for a Happy Death
St. Joseph, by the assistance which Jesus and Mary gave you at death, I beg you to protect me in a special way at the hour of my death, so that dying assisted by you, in the company of Jesus and Mary, I may go to thank you in heaven, and in your company sign God’s praises for all eternity. Amen.
Prayer to St. Joseph, Terror of Demons
Saint Joseph, Terror of Demons, cast your solemn gaze upon the devil and all his minions, and protect us with your mighty staff. You fled through the night to avoid the devil’s wicked designs; now with the power of God, smite the demons as they flee from you! Grant special protection, we pray, for children, fathers, families, and the dying. By God’s grace, no demon dares approach while you are near, so we beg of you, always be near to us! Amen.
Prayer to the Sleeping St. Joseph
O St. Joseph, you are a man greatly favored by the Most High. The angel of the Lord appeared to you in dreams, while you slept, to warn you and guide you as you cared for the Holy Family. You were both silent and strong, a loyal and courageous protector. Dear St. Joseph, as you rest in the Lord, confident in his absolute power and goodness, look upon me. Please take my need into your heart, dream of it, and present it to your Son (mention your request). Help me then, good St. Joseph, to hear the voice of God, to arise, and to act with love. I praise and thank God with joy. Saint Joseph, I love you. Amen.
Prayer to St. Joseph for a
Soul in Purgatory
by Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC
Prayer to St. Joseph for a Soul in Purgatory by Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC Saint Joseph, reigning in heaven with Jesus and Mary, intercede for the souls in purgatory. Today, in particular, I ask you to turn your gaze to the soul who is most forgotten in purgatory. This soul longs to see the face of God, O good father. Ask the Holy Trinity to take this soul to the glory of heaven today. Remember me, St. Joseph, when I die.
I beg you to be prompt in delivering me from purgatory so that I can see you, Jesus, and Mary face to face. Amen.
Prayer to St. Joseph for Purity
by Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC
Saint Joseph, strong spiritual father, defend me against sins of the flesh. Jesus said: “ Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.” Saint Joseph, Terror of Demons, protect me from lust, immoral desires in my heart, and impure actions in my body. Help me not to offend God. Here and now, I chain myself to you and sacrifice everything for the good, the true, and the beautiful. I love you, St. Joseph, and I thank you for being my spiritual father. Amen.
Hail Joseph, image of God the Father.
Hail Joseph, father of God the Son.
Hail Joseph, temple of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Joseph, beloved of the Most Holy Trinity.
Hail Joseph, most faithful coadjutor of the great counsel.
Hail Joseph, most worthy spouse of the Virgin Mary. Hail Joseph, father of all the faithful.
Hail Joseph, guardian of all those who have embraced holy virginity.
Hail Joseph, faithful observer of holy silence.
Hail Joseph, lover of holy poverty.
Hail Joseph, model of meekness and patience.
Hail Joseph, mirror of humility and obedience.
Blessed art thou above all men.
Blessed thine eyes, which have seen the things which thou hast seen.
Blessed thine ears, which have heard the things which thou hast heard.
Blessed thy hands, which have touched and handled the Incarnate Word.
Blessed thine arms, which have borne him who bears all things.
Blessed thy bosom, on which the Son of God fondly rested.
Blessed thy heart, inflamed with burning love.
Blessed by the Eternal Father, who chose thee.
Blessed be the Son, who loved thee.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, who sanctified thee.
Blessed be Mary, thy spouse, who cherished thee as her spouse and brother.
Blessed be the angel who served thee as a guardian, And blessed forever be all who love and bless thee. Amen.
Praises of St. Joseph by St. John Eudes
Prayer to St. Joseph 1
Oh 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.
Oh 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.
Oh 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
More Prayers to St. Joseph
Prayer to St. Joseph 2
O blessed Joseph, faithful guardian of my Redeemer,Jesus Christ, protector of thy chaste spouse, the virgin Mother of God, I choose thee this day to be my special patron and advocate and I firmly resolve to honor thee all the days of my life.Therefore I humbly beseech thee to receive me as thy client, to instruct me in every doubt, to comfort me in every affliction, to obtain for me and for all the knowledge and love of the Heart of Jesus, and finally to defend and protect me at the hour of my death. Amen
Devotion to St. Joseph
To you, O blessed Joseph,
do we come in our tribulation,
and having implored the help of your most holy spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.
O most watchful Guardian of the Holy Family,
defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ;
O most loving father, ward off from us every
contagion of error and corrupting influence;
O our most mighty protector, be propitious to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness; and, as once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity;
shield too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die holy, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.
Prayer to St. Joseph 3
Oh, Saint Joseph, foster-father of Jesus, most pure spouse of the Virgin Mary, pray for us daily to the same Jesus, the Son of God, that we, being defended by the power of His grace and striving faithfully in life, may be crowned by Him at the hour of death. Amen.
Prayer to St. Joseph 4
Blessed St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life. After your example, may I perform my actions for the greater Glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Pray for me, Saint Joseph, that I may experience the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
Prayer to St. Joseph 5
Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the immaculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Amen.
Prayer to St. Joseph 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 trail spiritually enriched and with even greater blessings from God. Amen.