(artwork by Michael O’Brien)
My parish is named in honor of St. Joseph!
And this is the novena prayer we are praying in this year of 2009:
NOVENA PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH:
O glorious Saint Joseph, you were chosen by God
to be the foster father of Jesus,
to be the most pure spouse of the Virgin Mary,
and to be the head of the Holy Family.
You also have been chosen by Christ’s Vicar
to be the Patron and Protector of the Church.
For all of us at Saint Joseph,
you are the special guardian of our Catholic family -our church and school-
which bears your name and rejoices in your patronage.
During this novena in honor of you,
we pray to you with all the angels and saints,
and we pray with all our parishioners
who have gone before us into eternal life.
Intercede for us
that we may continue to be faithful to the lord Jesus
through His Holy Catholic Church.
Be our father in faith, our protector and our guide.
Increase our generosity, deepen our faith,
and guide us in all that we do.
Obtain for us purity of heart
and a deep love for a life of prayer and service.
After your example,
let all our actions be directed to the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Mercy of Jesus,
and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
O glorious Saint Joseph,
be with us In our joys and in our trials.
May your prayers help us to grow in holiness and truth.
As Catholics, help us to witness our faith with courage that we may rejoice with you in the crown of victory,
and be welcomed into eternal life at the hour of our death.
Amen.
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ST. JOSEPH, PATRON OF A HOLY AND HAPPY DEATH
Daily Prayer of the Pious Union of St. Joseph:
O St. Joseph,
Foster Father of Jesus Christ
and true spouse of the Virgin Mary:
pray for us and for all who will die this day.
(The Pious Union of St. Joseph is dedicated to praying for the suffering and dying and more information can be found at http://www.piousunionofstjoseph.org/ . Canonically recognized on February 12, 1914, the Pious Union of St. Joseph for the Salvation of the Dying was declared a “Primary Confraternity” by Pope St. Pius X.)
Litany of St. Joseph
V. Lord, have mercy. R. Lord, have mercy.
V. Christ, have mercy. R. Christ, have mercy.
V. Lord, have mercy. R. Lord, have mercy.
V. Jesus, hear us. R. Jesus, graciously hear us.
V. God, the Father of Heaven, R. have mercy on us.
V. God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, R. have mercy on us.
V. God, the Holy Spirit, R. have mercy on us
V. Holy Trinity, One God, R. have mercy on us.
Response for all the following: pray for us.
Holy Mary,
St. Joseph,
Renowned offspring of David,
Light of Patriarchs,
Spouse of the Mother of God,
Chaste guardian of the Virgin,
Foster father of the Son of God,
Diligent protector of Christ,
Head of the Holy Family,
Joseph most just,
Joseph most chaste,
Joseph most prudent,
Joseph most strong,
Joseph most obedient,
Joseph most faithful,
Mirror of patience,
Lover of poverty,
Model of artisans,
Glory of home life,
Guardian of virgins,
Pillar of families,
Solace of the wretched,
Hope of the sick,
Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons,
Protector of Holy Church, Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
R. spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
R. graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world.
R. have mercy on us.
He made him the lord of his household.
R. 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 whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen
Remember, O most illustrious patriarch St. Joseph, on the testimony of the devoted client, St. Teresa, that never has it been heard that anyone who invoked thy protection or sought thy mediation has not obtained relief. In this confidence I come before thee, my loving protector, chaste spouse ofMmary, foster father of the Savior of men and dispenser of the treasures of His Sacred Heart. Despise not my earnest prayer but graciously hear and obtain my petition…(here mention your request)
Let us pray:
O God by Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose St. Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be 0ur intercessor in Heaven, Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Patron of families and for invoking a happy death to