With God/Devotions to St. Joseph

by Francis Xavier Lasance

Devotions in Honor of St. Joseph

Novena in Honor of St. Joseph, Spouse of Mary Most Holy.

The Sovereign Pontiff, Pius IX, by a rescript of the S. Congr. of Indulgences, Nov. 28, 1876, granted to all the faithful who, with contrite heart, devoutly make at any time during the year the novena in honor of St. Joseph, spouse of Mary most holy, with any formula of prayer, provided it be approved by competent ecclesiastical authority, an indulgence of 300 days, once a day; a plenary indulgence, during the course of the novena, if, being truly penitent, having confessed and communicated, they pray for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.

Prayer to St. Joseph for the October Devotions

Ordered by Pope Leo XIII to be said as Part of the Devotions for the Month of October

To thee, O blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our affliction and, after imploring the help of thy most holy spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also. By that affection which united thee to the immaculate virgin Mother of God, and by the fatherly love with which thou didst embrace the infant Jesus, look down, we beseech thee, with gracious eyes on the precious inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased by His blood, and help us in our necessities by thy powerful intercession. Protect, O most provident guardian of the Holy Family, the elect children of Jesus Christ; ward off from us, O most loving father, every contagion of error and corrupting influence; be propitious to us from heaven, O most powerful protector, in this our struggle with the powers of darkness; and as thou didst once rescue the child Jesus from the greatest peril to His life, so now defend God's holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Finally, shield every one of us with thy patronage, that, imitating thy example and strengthened by thy help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting happiness in heaven. Amen.

His Holiness, Leo XIII, in his Encyclical of Aug. 15, 1889, has ordered that after the public recitation of the Holy Rosary prescribed by him on other occasions for the month of October, the above prayer should be added, granting for its recitation an indulgence of 7 years and 7 quarantines.

Moreover, His Holiness, by a decree of the S. Congr. of Indulgences, Sept. 21, 1889, has granted to the faithful who shall recite the same prayer at any time of the year an indulgence of 300 days, once a day.

Note. — When this prayer is not recited after the Rosary, the words "after imploring the help of thy most holy Spouse" are omitted.

ANOTHER APPROVED VERSION OF THIS FAVORITE PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH AS RECITED IN MANY PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES IN CONNECTION WITH THE OCTOBER DEVOTIONS

We come to thee, O blessed Joseph, in our sore distress. Having sought the aid of thy most blessed spouse, we now confidently implore thy assistance also. We humbly beg that, mindful of the dutiful affection which bound thee to the immaculate virgin Mother of God, and of the fatherly love wherewith thou didst cherish the child Jesus, thou wilt lovingly watch over the heritage which Jesus Christ purchased with His blood, and by thy powerful intercession help us in our urgent need. Most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen race of Jesus Christ; drive far from us, most loving father, every pest of error and corrupting sin. From thy place in heaven, most powerful protector, graciously come to our aid in this conflict with the powers of darkness, and as of old thou didst deliver the child Jesus from supreme peril of life, so now defend the holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Have each of us always in thy keeping, that, following thy example, and borne up by thy strength, we may be able to live holily, die happily, and so enter the everlasting bliss of heaven. Amen.

EJACULATION

St. Joseph, model and patron of those who love the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. — Leo XIII, Dec. 19, 1891.

Prayer

REMEMBER, O most pure spouse of the blessed Virgin Mary, my sweet protector, St. Joseph! that no one ever had recourse to thy protection or implored thy aid without obtaining relief. Confiding therefore in thy goodness, I come before thee, and humbly supplicate thee. Oh, despise not my petitions foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. — Pius IX, June 26, 1863.

Prayers in Honor of St. Joseph for Those in Their Agony

ETERNAL Father, by Thy love for St. Joseph, whom Thou didst select from among all men to represent Thee upon earth, have mercy on us and on the dying.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

Eternal divine Son, by Thy love for St. Joseph, who was Thy faithful guardian upon earth, have mercy upon us and upon the dying.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

Eternal divine Spirit, by Thy love for St. Joseph, Who so carefully watched over Mary, Thy beloved spouse, have mercy on us and on the dying.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. — Leo XIII, May 17, 1884.

March Devotions

INDULGENCES

Three hundred days, each day.

Plenary, on any one day on the usual conditions.

The month may be either that of March, or a month terminating on the feast of St. Joseph, March 19.

Persons legitimately hindered from practising this devotion in March may substitute any other month.

The devotion consists of any prayers or other pious practice in honor of the saint. — Pius IX, April 27, 1865; July 18, 1877.

Prayer for a Novena to St. Joseph

(Feast, March 19)

ILLUSTRIOUS saint! inheritor of the virtues of all the patriarchs! Good and faithful guardian of the Holy Family! Thou art my glorious protector, and shalt ever be, after Jesus and Mary, the object of my most profound veneration and tender confidence. Thou art the most hidden saint and particularly the patron of those who serve God with the greatest purity of intention and fervor of devotion. O thou model and guardian of pure souls, who hast given us so illustrious an example of purity, unselfish devotedness to duty, fidelity, humility, patience, obedience, and trust in divine Providence, be moved with the confidence I place in thy intercession, and obtain for me the grace to practise every virtue which will make me pleasing to God.

I thank God for the signal favors He has bestowed upon thee, and I beg through thy intercession grace to imitate thy virtues. In union with all those who have ever been most devoted to thee, I now dedicate myself to thy service, beseeching thee, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Who vouchsafed to love and obey thee as a son, to become a father to me, and to obtain for me the filial respect, confidence, and love of a child toward thee. O powerful advocate of all Christians! whose intercession, as St. Teresa assures us, has never been found to fail, deign to intercede for me now, and to obtain for me the particular object of this novena. [Specify it.] Present me, O great saint, to the adorable Trinity, with Whom thou hadst so glorious and so intimate a correspondence. Obtain that I may never efface by sin the sacred image according to the likeness of which I was created. Beg for me that my divine Redeemer may enkindle in my heart, and in all hearts, the fire of His love and infuse therein the virtues of His adorable infancy. His purity, simplicity, obedience, and humility. Obtain for me likewise a lively devotion to thy virgin spouse, and protect me so powerfully in life and death that I may have the happiness of dying as thou didst, in the friendship of my Creator, and under the immediate protection of the Mother of God.

Indulgenced Prayer and Act of Consecration to St. Joseph

O GLORIOUS St. Joseph, chosen by God to be the reputed father of Jesus, the most pure spouse of Mary ever Virgin, and the head of the Holy Family, and then elected by the Vicar of Christ to be the heavenly Patron and Protector of the Church founded by Jesus Christ; with the greatest confidence I implore at this time thy powerful aid for the entire Church militant. Protect in a special manner with thy truly paternal love the Supreme Pontiff and all the bishops and priests united to the See of St. Peter. Defend all those who labor for souls in the midst of the afflictions and tribulations of this life, and obtain the willing submission of every nation throughout the world to the Church, the necessary means of salvation for all.

O dearest St. Joseph, be pleased to accept the consecration which I make to thee of myself. I dedicate myself entirely to thee that thou mayest ever 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. Grant that after thy example all my actions may be directed to the greater glory of God, in union with the divine Heart of Jesus and the immaculate heart of Mary, and with thee. Finally, pray for me that I may be able to share in the peace and joy of thy most holy death. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. — Leo XIII, July 18, 1885.

Prayer to St. Joseph for All Those Who Are Devoted to Labor

Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in a spirit of penance for the expiation of my many sins; to work conscientious, putting the call of duty above my inclinations; to work with gratitude and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop, by means of labor, the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, without ever recoiling before weariness or difficulties; to work, above all, with purity of intention, and with detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account which I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all after thy example, O patriarch Joseph. Such shall be my watchword in life and in death. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. — Pius X, March 15, 1907.

INVOCATION TO ST. JOSEPH

Grant, O holy Joseph, that, ever secure under thy protection, we may pass our lives without guilt.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. — Leo XIII, March 18, 1882.

I

Help us, Joseph, in our earthly strife; Ever to lead a pure and blameless life.

Indulgence of 300 days. — Leo XIII, March 18, 1882.

II

ST. JOSEPH, foster-father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and true spouse of Mary ever Virgin, pray for us.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. — Leo XIII, May 15, 1891.

Prayer to St. Joseph in Any Great Necessity

O MOST faithful guardian of Jesus and spouse of Mary, thou seest the anguish of my heart. I am disturbed and perplexed. Obtain for me the light of the Holy Ghost and all the helps I need to enable me at all times and in all things to fulfil the adorable will of God. I choose thee this day, in the presence of Jesus and Mary, as my angel of good counsel, to direct me in all my necessities. Guide me, I entreat thee, by the many bitter dolors which rent thy tender heart during the course of thy mortal pilgrimage. Amen.

Indulgenced Prayer to St. Joseph

Guardian of virgins and father, holy Joseph, to whose faithful care Christ Jesus, Innocence itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, were committed: I pray and beg of thee, by these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary, free me from all uncleanness, and make me with spotless mind, pure heart, and chaste body, ever most chastely to serve Jesus and Mary, all the days of my life.

R. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. — Pius IX, Feb. 4, 1877.

Prayer to St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church

O MOST powerful patriarch, St. Joseph, Patron of that universal Church which has always invoked thee in anxieties and tribulations; from the lofty seat of thy glory lovingly regard the Catholic world. Let it move thy paternal heart to see the mystical Spouse of Christ and his Vicar weakened by sorrow and persecuted by powerful enemies. We beseech thee, by the most bitter suffering thou didst experience on earth, to wipe away in mercy the tears of the reverend Pontiff, to defend and liberate him, and to intercede with the Giver of peace and charity, that every hostile power being overcome and every error being destroyed, the whole Church may serve the God of all blessings in perfect liberty: ut destructis adversitatibus et erroribus universis Ecclesia secura Deo serviat libertate. Amen.

Indulgence of 100 days, once a day. — Leo XIII, March 4, 1882.