Saint Joseph is renowned as a intercessor for all causes. He aids those who entrust themselves to his patronage and obtains many graces for the souls who beseech him. The following five prayers to Saint Joseph were excerpted from Saint Joseph Prayer Book.
PRAYER TO OBTAIN A CONVERSION
O GLORIOUS PATRIARCH St. Joseph, who merited to be called “just” by the Holy Ghost, I urgently recommend to thee the soul of (Name), which Jesus redeemed at the price of His Precious Blood.
Thou knowest how deplorable is the state and how unhappy the life of those who have banished this loving Saviour from their hearts, and how greatly they are exposed to the danger of losing Him eternally. Permit not, I beseech thee, 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 thee, till thou hast opened to him the gates of the heavenly city, where he will praise and bless thee throughout eternity for the happiness which he will owe to thy powerful intercession. Amen.
TO THEE, O BLESSED JOSEPH
To be prayed especially after the Rosary. This prayer is sometimes called the “October Prayer to St. Joseph,” but it can be prayed at any time of year.
TO THEE, O blessed Joseph, do we have recourse in our tribulation, and having implored the help of thy thrice-holy Spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also.
By that charity wherewith thou wast united to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by that fatherly affection with which thou didst embrace the Child Jesus, we beseech thee and we humbly pray that thou wouldst look graciously upon the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by His blood, and assist us in our needs by thy 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 thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the supreme peril of His life, so now defend God’s holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Keep us one and all under thy continual protection, that, supported by thine example and thine assistance, we may be enabled to live a holy life, die a happy death, and come at last to the possession of everlasting blessedness in Heaven. Amen.
PRAYER IN A DIFFICULT PROBLEM
O GLORIOUS St. Joseph, thou who hast 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 thy particular protection, that it may end happily. (Name your request.)
O dear St. Joseph, all our confidence is in thee. Let it not be said that we would invoke thee in vain; and since thou art so powerful with Jesus and Mary, show that thy goodness equals thy power. Amen. St. Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart, pray for us.
AN ANCIENT PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH
O ST. JOSEPH, whose protection is so great, so
strong, so prompt before the throne of God,
I place in thee all my interests and desires.
O St. Joseph, assist me by thy powerful intercession
and obtain for me all spiritual blessings through
thy foster Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord, so that, having
engaged here below thy heavenly power, I may
offer thee my thanksgiving and homage.
O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating thee
and Jesus asleep in thine arms. I dare not approach
while He reposes near thy 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 me.
PETITIONS FOR ST. JOSEPH’S BLESSING
BLESS ME, O dearly beloved Father, St. Joseph;
bless my body and my soul; bless my resolutions,
my words and deeds, all my actions and
omissions, my every step; bless all that I possess,
all my interior and exterior goods, that all may
redound to the greater honor of God. Bless me for
time and eternity, and preserve me from every sin.
Obtain for me the grace to make atonement for
all my sins by love and contrition here on earth, so
that after my last breath I may, without delay, prostrate
at thy feet, return thee thanks in Heaven for
all the love and goodness thou, O dearest father,
hast shown me here below. Amen.
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This article is taken from a chapter in Saint Joseph Prayer Book which is available from TAN Books.
