Devotions to St. Joseph
LITANY OF ST. 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 Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
| Holy Mary, | Pray for us. | |
| Holy Joseph, | ||
| Noble scion of David, | ||
| Light of the patriarchs, | ||
| Spouse of the Mother of God, | ||
| Chaste guardian of the Virgin, | ||
| Foster-father of the Son of God, | ||
| Sedulous defender of Christ, | ||
| Head of the Holy Family, | ||
| Joseph most just, | ||
| Joseph most chaste, | ||
| Joseph most prudent, |
| Joseph most valiant, | Pray for us. | |
| Joseph most obedient, | ||
| Joseph most faithful, | ||
| Mirror of patience, | ||
| Lover of poverty, | ||
| Model of workers, | ||
| Ornament of domestic life, | ||
| Protector of virgins, | ||
| Pillar of families, | ||
| Consolation of the afflicted, | ||
| Hope of the sick, | ||
| Patron of the dying, | ||
| Terror of the demons, | ||
| Protector of holy Church, |
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.
V. He made him master of his house.
R. And ruler of all his possessions.
Let us Pray
O GOD, Who in Thy ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may have him whom we venerate as our protector on earth, as our intercessor in heaven. Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days, applicable to the souls in Purgatory. — Pius X. March 18, 1909.)
DEVOUT EXERCISE IN HONOR OF THE SEVEN SORROWS AND SEVEN JOYS OF ST. JOSEPH
I.
PURE Spouse of most holy Mary, glorious St. Joseph, the trouble and anguish of thy heart were great when, being in sore perplexity, thou wast minded to put away thy stainless spouse; yet was thy joy inexpressible when the archangel revealed to thee the sublime mystery of the Incarnation.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee comfort our souls now and in their last pains with the consolation of a well spent life, and a holy death, like unto thine own, with Jesus and Mary at our side. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.
2.
MOST blessed Patriarch, glorious St. Joseph, chosen to the office of father of the Word made man, the pain was keen that thou didst feel when thou didst see the infant Jesus born in abject poverty; but thy pain was changed into heavenly joy when thou didst hear the harmony of angel choirs, and behold the glory of that night.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee, obtain for us that, when the journey of our life is ended, we too may pass to that blessed land where we shall hear the angel-chants, and rejoice in the bright light of heavenly glory. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.
3.
O THOU who wast ever most obedient in executing the law of God, glorious St. Joseph thy heart was pierced with pain when the Precious Blood of the infant Saviour was shed at His circumcision; but with the Name of Jesus new life and heavenly joy returned to thee.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us that, being freed, while we still live, from every vice, we too may cheerfully die with the sweet Name of Jesus in our hearts and on our lips. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.
4.
MOST faithful Saint, glorious St. Joseph, who wast admitted to take part in the redemption of man; the prophecy of Simeon foretelling the sufferings of Jesus and Mary caused thee pang like that of death but, at the same time, by this prediction of the salvation and glorious resurrection of innumerable souls, filled thee with great joy.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, help us with thy prayers to be of the number of those who by the merits of Jesus and the intercession of His Virgin Mother, shall be partakers of the resurrection to glory. Our Father, Hail Mary Glory be to the Father, etc.
5.
MOST watchful Guardian, glorious St. Joseph, who wast so intimately familiar with the incarnate Son of God, greatly thou didst toil to nurture and to serve the Son of the Most High, especially in the flight thou madest with Him into Egypt; greatly also didst thou rejoice to have God Himself always with thee, and to see the overthrow of the idols of Egypt.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us grace to keep far out of the reach of the enemy of our souls, by quitting all dangerous occasions, that so no idol of earthly affection may any longer occupy a place in our hearts, but that, being entirely devoted to the service of Jesus and Mary, we may live and die for them alone. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.
6.
ANGEL on earth, glorious St. Joseph, who didst so wonder to see the King of heaven obedient to thy bidding, the consolation thou hadst at His return from Egypt was disturbed by the fear of Archelaus, but nevertheless, being reassured by the angel, thou didst go back and dwell happily at Nazareth, in the company of Jesus and Mary.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us that, having our heart freed from idle fears, we may enjoy the peace of a tranquil conscience, dwelling safely with Jesus and Mary and dying at last in their arms. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.
7.
EAMPLE of holy living, glorious St. Joseph, when through no fault of thine, thou didst lose Jesus, the holy Child, thou didst search for Him with great sorrow for three days, until with joy unspeakable thou didst find Him, who was thy life, amidst the doctors in the Temple.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee with our whole hearts so to interpose always in our behalf, that we may never lose Jesus by mortal sin, and if we are at any time so wretched as to lose Him, lead us back with unwearied sorrow until we find Him, particularly in the hour of our death, that we may pass from this life to enjoy Him forever in heaven, there to sing with thee His divine mercies forever and ever. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.
Ant. Jesus Himself was about thirty years old, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph.
V. Pray for us, holy Joseph.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
O GOD, Who in Thy ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may have him whom we venerate as our protector on earth, as our intercessor in heaven. Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
(Ind. of 100 days, once a day; 300 days on every Wednesday. — Pius IX. March 22, 1847.)
PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH, PATRON OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
O GLORIOUS St. Joseph, selected by God to be the foster-father of Jesus, the most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, and head of the Holy Family; therefore chosen by Christ’s vicar as the heavenly patron and protector of the Church founded by Christ; with the greatest confidence I now implore thy powerful assistance for the whole Church militant. Protect in an especial manner, with thy truly fatherly love, the Sovereign Pontiff and all bishops and priests united with the See of Peter. Be the protector of those who labor for souls amid the trials and tribulations of this life, and grant that all the people of the earth may submit with docility to that Church which is the necessary means of salvation for all.
Deign also, dear St. Joseph, to accept the consecration which I make of myself to thee. I dedicate myself to thy service, that thou mayest be ever my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love for 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, the immaculate heart of Mary, and thy own. Finally, pray for me, that I may participate in the peace and joy which thou didst enjoy in thy holy death. Amen.
(Ind. of 300 days, once a day.—Leo XIII. July 18, 1886.)
INDULGENCED EJACULATIONS IN HONOR OF ST. JOSEPH
GRANT, O holy Joseph, that, ever secure under thy protection, we may pass our lives without sin.
(Ind. of 300 days, once a day.-- Leo XIII. March 18, 1882.)
St. Joseph, foster-father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and true spouse of Mary ever Virgin, pray for us.
(Ind. of 300 days, once a day,—Leo XIII. May 15, 1891.)
St. Joseph, model and patron of those who love the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us,
(Ind. of 100 days, once a day.—Leo XIII. Dec. 19, 1891.)
