Prayers of Devotion to St. Joseph

Prayers of Devotion to Saint Joseph

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1. Go To Joseph

Go, then, to Joseph, and do all that he shall say to you;
Go to Joseph, and obey him as Jesus and Mary obeyed him;
Go to Joseph, and speak to him as They spoke to him;
Go to Joseph, and consult him as They consulted him;
Go to Joseph, and honor him as They honored him;
Go to Joseph, and be grateful to him as They were grateful to him;
Go to Joseph, and love him, as They love him still.

2. Ave, Joseph

Hail, Joseph, filled with divine grace, in whose arms the Savior was carried and under whose eyes He grew up: blessed are you among men and blessed is Jesus, the Son of your dear Spouse.

Holy Joseph, chosen to be a father to the Son of God, pray for us in the midst of our cares of family, health, and work, and be pleased to assist us at the hour of our death. Amen.

3. Memorare of St. Joseph

Remember, O most chaste Spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession was left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power, I hasten to you, and beg your protection. Listen, O foster father of the Redeemer, to my humble prayer, and in your goodness, hear and answer me. Amen.

4. Litany of St. Joseph

Lord, have mercy.
    Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy
    Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy
    Lord, have mercy.
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, Redeem 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,
    pay 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 takes away the sins of the world,
    spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
    graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
    have mercy on us.
He made him lord of his household.
    and prince over all his possessions.

Let us pray:
O God, in Your ineffable providence You were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Your most holy Mother; grant, we beg You, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven who on earth we venerate as our Protector. You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

5. Prayer to St. Joseph

O St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I pace 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 most loving of Fathers.

O 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.

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6. Prayer to St. Joseph

To you, blessed Joseph, we come with confidence in this hour of need, trusting in your powerful protection. Your loving service to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and your fatherly affection for the Child Jesus inspire us with Faith in the power of your intercession before the throne of God.

We pray, first of all, for the Church: that it may be free from error and corruption, and be a shining light of universal love and justice.

We ask your intercession for our loved ones in their trials and adversities, that they may be inspired by the love, obedience and affection of the Holy Family, and be to each other a mutual source of consolation and Christian fidelity.

We ask your intercession also for our special need (here mention the grace desired).

Keep us one and all under your protection so that, strengthened by your example and assistance, we may lead a holy life, die a happy death, and come to the possession of everlasting happiness in heaven. Amen.

Let us pray.

Assist us, Lord, by the merits of Your foster father, St. Joseph, spouse of Your most holy Mother. May his help gain for us what our own efforts cannot obtain. This we ask through You Who live and reign with God the Father in the union of the Holy Spirit, one God, for all the ages. Amen.

7. Saint Joseph, Patron of Workers

Blessed St. Joseph, patron of all working people, obtain for me the grace to labor in a spirit of penance for the atonement of my many sins. Help me to be conscientious in my work so that I may give as full a measure as I have received.

May I labor in a spirit of thankfulness and joy, ever mindful of all the gifts I have received from God that enable me to perform these tasks. Permit me to work in peace, patience and moderation, keeping in mind the account I must one day give of time lost, talents unused, good omitted and vanity of success, so fatal to the work of God. Glorious St. Joseph, may my labors be all for Jesus, all through Mary and all after your holy example in life and in death. Amen.

8. Prayer to Saint Joseph

O Holy Joseph, chaste spouse of the Mother of God, most glorious advocate of all who are in danger or in their last agony, and most faithful protector of all the servants of Mary, I, in the presence of Jesus and Mary, do from this moment choose you for my powerful patron and advocate, and implore you to obtain for me through your powerful intercession the grace of a happy death.

Receive me, therefore, for your perpetual servant, and recommend me to the constant protection of Mary, your spouse, and to the everlasting mercies of Jesus my Savior.

Assist me in all the actions of my life, which I now offer to the greater glory of Jesus and Mary.

Never, forsake me; and whatsoever grace you see most necessary and profitable for me, obtain it for me now and also at the hour of my death.

Through your gracious intercession may there be granted me in my last hour all the graces I need, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Savior, Who together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.

9. Prayer to Saint Joseph

O Blessed Saint Joseph, faithful guardian and protector of virgins, to whom God entrusted Jesus and Mary, I implore you by the love which you did bear them, to preserve me from every defilement of soul and body, that I may always serve them in holiness and purity of love. Amen.

10. Prayer for Purity

Saint Joseph, father and guardian of virgins, into whose faithful keeping were entrusted Innocence itself, Christ Jesus and Mary, those pledges so dear to you, 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.

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11. Prayer for a Happy Death

O Blessed St. Joseph, who died in the arms of Jesus and Mary, obtain for me, I beseech you, the grace of a happy death. In that hour of dread and anguish, assist me by your power against the enemies of my salvation. Into your hands, living and dying, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I commend my soul. Amen.

12. A Prayer offering to St. Joseph, Patriarch

O most glorious patriarch, chaste spouse of the great Mother of God and foster father of my Lord Jesus Christ, my loving St. Joseph, confiding in the greatness of your holiness and inflamed with the love which Jesus and Mary showed you, I choose you this day, in their presence, to be my special protector, advocate and patron, and I firmly propose to keep this devotion to you always burning within my heart. And since I know that you were appointed by the Eternal Father to be the head of the Holy Family on earth, and I desire to be one of its devoted servants and friends, I beg you to admit me into that number. I ask you to admit me into that number. I ask you also, O my most glorious father St. Joseph, to obtain for me, through your great merits and by your most powerful intercession, the grace to imitate in my life your most holy conversation with Jesus and Mary, so that I too, like you, may enjoy the assistance of Jesus and Mary at my death, and in their arms may breathe forth my soul, saying, “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.” Amen.

To you, O blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our tribulation, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. By that charity with which you were united to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by that fatherly affection with which you embraced the child Jesus, we humbly pray, that you would look graciously upon the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by His Blood, and assist us in our needs by your power and strength.

Most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen people of Jesus Christ; keep far from us, most loving father, all blight of error and corruption: mercifully assist us from heaven, most mighty defender, in this our conflict with the powers of darkness; and even as of old you rescued the Child Jesus from the supreme peril of His life, so now defend God’s Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; keep us one and all under your continual protection, so that we may be supported by your example and your assistance, may be enabled to lead a holy life, die a happy death and come at last to the possession of everlasting blessedness in heaven. Amen.

13. Prayer to Saint Joseph, the Worker

O St. Joseph, we venerate you as the model of workingmen, the friend of the poor, the consoler of the afflicted and exiled, the saint of Divine Providence. On earth you represented the universal goodness and care of the heavenly Father.

You were the carpenter of Nazareth and work-teacher to the Son of God, who became a humble laborer for us. At Nazareth, work was elevated to dignity as a means of sanctification and redemption. Assist with your prayers all who labor in intellectual, moral and manual work.

To nations distressed by social problems, obtain legislation in conformity with the God. Obtain for everyone the spirit of Christian charity, and for the world, an organization according to the teachings of the Supreme Pontiff.

I ask you also for the grace which I desire most. (Mention your request).

St. Joseph, provide for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.

14. Consecration to St. Joseph

Beloved Saint Joseph, adopt me as your child, take care of my salvation, watch over me day and night, preserve me from the occasion of sin, obtain for me purity of soul and body! Through your intercession with Jesus grant me a spirit of sacrifice, of humility and self-denial, a great love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and a tender love for Mary, my Mother.

Saint Joseph, be with me living, be with me dying, and obtain for me a favorable judgment from Jesus, my merciful Savior.

15. Prayer to St. Joseph

To thee, O blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our tribulations, and while imploring the aid of thy most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also. By that love which united thee to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and by the fatherly affection with which thou didst embrace the Infant Jesus, we humbly beseech thee graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased with His Blood and to help us in our necessities, by thy powerful intercession.

Protect, O most provident Guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen children of Jesus Christ; ward off from us, O most loving Father, all taint of error and corruption; graciously assist us from Heaven, O most powerful protector, in our struggle with the powers of darkness; and as thou didst once rescue the Child Jesus from imminent peril to His life, so now defend the Holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity.

Shield each one of us with thy unceasing patronage that, imitating thy example and supported by thy aid, we may be enabled to live a good life, die a holy death, and secure everlasting happiness in Heaven. Amen.

16. Prayer to Jesus, Mary and Joseph

“A blameless life,
    St. Joseph,
    may we lead,
    by your kind patronage
    from danger freed.”

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17. Prayer to St. Joseph, our guide, and protector

O Saint Joseph, guardian of Jesus, chaste spouse of Mary, who passed your life in the perfect fulfillment of duty, sustaining the Holy Family of Nazareth with the labor of your hands, protect kindly those who trustingly turn to you. You know their aspirations, their miseries, their hopes, and they have recourse to you because they know that they will find in you one who will understand and protect them. You too have known trial, labor and weariness. But even in the midst of worries of the material life, your soul was filled with profound peace and it exulted in unerring joy through intimacy with the Son of God entrusted to you, and with Mary, His most sweet mother. Make those whom you protect understand that they are not alone in their labor, but show them how to discover Jesus near them, to receive Him with grace, to guard Him faithfully, as you have done. And assure that in every family, in every factory, in every workshop, wherever a Christian works, all may be satisfied in charity, in patience, in justice, in seeking to do well, so that abundant gifts may descend from heaven.

18. Prayer to make our daily work holy

Glorious Saint Joseph, who disguised the incomparable and sovereign dignity of guardian of Jesus and Mary under the humble appearance of an artisan and with your work provided for their daily sustenance, give your protection to those who are especially entrusted to your care.

You know their sufferings and their anxieties, because you shared them yourself by the side of Jesus and His Mother. Do not allow them, under the burden of so many worries, to forget the end of which God created them; do not allow the poison of mistrust to conquer their immortal souls. Remind all workers that in the fields, in the factories, in the mines and in the laboratories of science, they are never alone in their joys and in their sorrow, but that Jesus is always with them, to wipe the perspiration from their brow, and to ennoble their toil. Teach them to transform their labor, as you did, into an exalted instrument of sanctification.

19. Daily prayer to St. Joseph the worker

O glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations, to work with gratitude and joy, in a spirit of penance for the remission of my sins, 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 shrinking from weariness and difficulties, to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account that 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 through Mary, all after your example, O Patriarch, St. Joseph. Such shall be my watchword in life an in death. Amen.

20. Thirty days' prayer for any special intention

Ever blessed and glorious Joseph, kind and loving father, and helpful friend of all in sorrow! You are the good father and protector of orphans, the defender of the defenseless, the patron of those in need and sorrow. Look kindly on my request. My sins have drawn down on me the just displeasure of my God, and so I am surrounded with unhappiness. To you, loving guardian of the Family of Nazareth, do I go for help and protection.

Listen, then, I beg you, with fatherly concern, to my earnest prayers, and obtain for =me the favor I ask.

I ask it by the infinite mercy of the eternal Son of God, which moved Him to take our nature and to be born into this world of sorrow.

I ask it by the weariness and suffering you endured when you found no shelter at the inn of Bethlehem for the holy Virgin, nor a place where the Son of God could be born. Then, being everywhere refused, you had to allow the Queen of Heaven to give birth to the world’s Redeemer in a cave.

I ask it by the loveliness and power of that sacred Name, Jesus, which you conferred on the adorable Infant.

I ask it by that painful torture you felt at the prophecy of holy Simeon, which declared the Child Jesus and his holy Mother future victims of our sins and of their great love for us.

I ask it through your sorrow and pain of soul when the angel declared to you that the life of the Child Jesus was sought by His enemies. From their evil pan you had to flee with Him and His Blessed Mother into Egypt. I ask it by all the suffering, weariness, and labors of that long and dangerous journey.

I ask it by all your care to protect the Sacred Child and His immaculate Mother during your second journey, when you were ordered to return to your own country. I ask it by your peaceful life in Nazareth where you met with so many joys and sorrows.

I ask it by your great distress when the adorable Child was lost to you and His Mother for three days. I ask it by your joy at finding Him in the Temple, and by the comfort you found at Nazareth, while living in the company of the Child Jesus. I ask it by the wonderful submission He showed in His obedience to you.

I ask it by the perfect love and conformity you showed in accepting the Divine order to depart from this life, and from the company of Jesus and Mary. I ask it by the joy which filled your soul, when the Redeemer of the world, triumphant over death and hell, entered into the possession of His kingdom and led you into it with special honors.

I ask it through Mary’s glorious Assumption, and through that endless happiness you have with her in the presence of God.

O good father! I beg you, by all your sufferings, sorrows, and joys, to hear me and obtain for me what I ask, (mention your petitions or think of them).

Obtain for all those who have asked my prayers everything that is useful to them in the plan of God. Finally, my dear patron and father, be with me and all who are dear to me in our last moments, that we may eternally sing the praises of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

21. A Prayer offering to St. Joseph, Patriarch

O most glorious patriarch, chaste spouse of the great Mother of God and foster father of my Lord Jesus Christ, my loving St. Joseph, confiding in the greatness of your holiness and inflamed with the love which Jesus and Mary showed you, I choose you this day, in their presence , to be my special protector, advocate and patron, and I firmly propose to keep this devotion to you always burning within my heart. And since I know that you were appointed by the Eternal Father to be the head of the Holy Family on earth, and I desire to be one of its devoted servants and friends, I beg you to admit me into that number. I ask you to admit me into that number. I ask you also, O my most glorious father St. Joseph, to obtain for me, through your great merits and by your most powerful intercession, the grace to imitate in my life your most holy conversation with Jesus and Mary, so that I too, like you, may enjoy the assistance of Jesus and Mary at my death, and in their arms may breathe forth my soul, saying, “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.” Amen.

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22. To Obtain a Special Favor

O blessed Saint Joseph, tenderhearted father, faithful guardian of Jesus, chaste spouse of the Mother of God, we pray and beg you to offer to God the Father His divine Son, bathed in blood on the Cross for sinners, and through the thrice-holy Name of Jesus, obtain for us from the Eternal Father the favor we ask, (mention your request).

Appease the Divine anger so justly inflamed by our crimes, beg of Jesus mercy for your children. Amid the splendors of eternity, forget not the sorrows of those who suffer, those who pray, those who weep; stay the Almighty arm which strikes us, that by your prayers and those of your most holy spouse, the Heart of Jesus may be moved to pity and to pardon. Amen. St. Joseph, pray for us.

23. Devotional Prayers to Saint Joseph

O glorious patriarch St. Joseph, who was merited to be called “just” by the Holy Spirit, I urgently recommend to you the soul of (here mention the name), which Jesus redeemed at the price of His Precious Blood.

You know how deplorable is the state and how unhappy the life of those who have banished this loving Savior from their hearts, and how greatly they are exposed to the danger of losing Him eternally. Permit, not, I beseech you, that a soul so dear to me should continue any longer in its evil ways; preserve it from the danger that threatens it; touch the heart of this prodigal child and conduct him back to the bosom of the fondest of fathers. Abandon him not, I implore you, till you have opened to him the gates of the heavenly city, where he will praise and bless you throughout eternity for the happiness which he will owe to your powerful intercession. Amen.

24. Prayer and Promise to St. Joseph

O holy patriarch, I rejoice with you at the exalted dignity by which you were deemed worthy to act as father to Jesus, to give Him orders and to be obeyed by Him who Heaven and earth obey.

O great saint, as you were served by God, I too wish to be taken into your service. I choose you, after Mary, to be my chief advocate and protector. I promise to honor you every day by some special act of devotion and by placing myself under your daily protection. By that sweet company which Jesus and Mary gave you in your lifetime, I beseech you to protect me all through life, so that I may never separate myself from my God by losing His grace.

My dear St. Joseph, pray to Jesus for me. Certainly He can never refuse you anything, as He obeyed all your orders while on earth. Tell Him to detach me from all creatures and from myself, to inflame me with His holy love, and then do with me what He pleases. And by that assistance which Jesus and Mary gave you at death, I beg of 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 Paradise, and in your company praise my God for all eternity. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was, now, and ever shall be; world without end. Amen.

25. Prayer in a Difficult Problem

O glorious St. Joseph, you who have power to render possible even things which are considered impossible, come to our aid in our present trouble and distress. Take this important and difficult affair under your particular protection, that it may end happily, (Name your request).

O dear St. Joseph, all our confidence is in you. Let it not be said that we would call upon you in vain; and since you are so powerful with Jesus and Mary, show that your goodness equals your power. Amen.

St. Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart, pray for us.

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26. Prayer for a Person Who Has a Laborious Occupation

O blessed Joseph, who passed your life in the painful labors of a humble profession, I take you as my model and my protector. Obtain for me that I may bear patiently the pains and fatigues of my state, so that like you, sanctifying my labors, I may merit a crown in Heaven. Amen.

27. Prayer for the Success of a Temporal Affair

O great St. Joseph, whose influence over the Hearts of Jesus and Mary is all powerful and who have never been invoked in vain, I ask, with the most firm and lively confidence, the speedy granting of my request. (Name your petition).

Dear St. Joseph, obtain for me the object of my prayer if it be for the glory of God and my own salvation; but if it is not, then obtain for me the grace lovingly to resign myself to the Will of my Heavenly Father, who in the afflictions He permits, as well as in the temporal favors He grants me, has in view only my happiness here and my eternal salvation. Amen.

28. Prayer of Confidence

With childlike confidence I present myself before you, O holy Joseph, faithful foster father of Jesus! I beg your compassionate intercession and support in this, my present necessity. (Name your petition). I firmly believe that you are most powerful near the throne of God, who chose you for the foster father of His well-beloved Son, Jesus Christ. O blessed Saint, who saved that Treasure of Heaven, with His virginal Mother, from the fury of His enemies, who with untiring industry supplied His earthly wants and with paternal care accompanied and protected Him in all the journeys of His childhood, take me also, for the love of Jesus, as your child. Assist me in my present difficulty with your prayers before God. The infinite goodness of our Savior, who loved and honored you as His father upon earth, cannot refuse you any request now in Heaven.

How many pious souls have sought help from you in their needs and have experienced, to their joy, how good, how ready you are to assist. How quickly you turn to those who call upon you with confidence! How powerful you are in bringing help and restoring joy to anxious and dejected hearts! Therefore do I fly to you, O most worthy father of Jesus, most chaste spouse of Mary! Good St. Joseph, I pray you by the burning love you had for Jesus and Mary upon earth, console me in my distress and present my petition, through Jesus and Mary, before the throne of God! One word from you will move Him to assist my afflicted soul. Then most joyfully shall I praise Him and you, and most earnest shall be my thanksgiving! Amen.

29. Prayer to Know One’s Vocation in Life

O great St. Joseph, so docile to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, obtain for me the grace to know what state of life Divine Providence destines for me. Do not allow me to be deceived with regard to so important a choice, upon which depends my happiness in this world, and even my eternal salvation. Obtain for me that, being enlightened to know the Divine Will and being faithful in accomplishing it, I may embrace that state of life which God has destined for me and which will lead me to a happy eternity. Amen.

30. Praises of St. Joseph

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O holy Patriarch Joseph, ever blessed by your soul. Which was adorned with all the virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit.