In my previous post, I discussed the very “high” theology about, and devotion/piety to, St. Joseph, in Catholicism. In this post, I will reproduce various acceptable prayers in Catholic piety further highlighting this. All the following comes from Mark Miravalle, Meet Your Spiritual Father: A Brief Introduction to St. Joseph (Sycamore, Ill.: Lighthouse Catholic Media, 2015):
Prayers in Honor of the Seven Joys and Sorrows of St. Joseph
1. O chaste Spouse of
Mary most holy, glorious St. Joseph, great was the trouble and anguish of thy
heart when thou wert minded to put away privately thine inviolate Spouse, yet
thy joy was unspeakable when the surpassing mystery of the Incarnation was made
known to thee by the Angel!
By this sorrow and
this joy, we beseech thee to comfort our souls, both now and in the sorrows of
our final hour, with the joy of a good life and a holy death after the pattern
of thine own, in the arms of Jesus and Mary. (Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary,
Glorye Be.)
2. O most blessed
Patriarch, glorious St. Joseph, who was chosen to be the foster father of the
Word made flesh, thy sorrow at seeing the Child Jesus born in such poverty was suddenly
changed into heavenly exultation when thou didst hear the angelic hymn and
beheld the glories of that resplendent night.
By this sorrow and
this joy we implore thee to obtain for us the grace to pass over from life’s
pathway to hear the angelic songs of praise, and to rejoice in the shining splendor
of celestial glory. (Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.)
3. O glorious St.
Joseph, thou faithfully obeyed the law of God, and thy heart was pierced at the
sight of the Precious Blood that was shed by the Infant Savior during His
Circumcision, but the Name of Jesus gave thee new life and filled thee with
quiet joy.
By this sorrow and
this joy, obtain for us the grace to be freed from all sin during life, and to
die rejoicing, with the holy Name of Jesus in our hearts and on our lips. (Recite
the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.)
4. O most faithful
Saint who shared the mysteries of our Redemption, glorious St. Joseph, the
prophecy of Simeon regarding the suffering of Jesus and Mary caused thee to
shudder with mortal dread, but at the same time filled thee with a blessed joy
for the salvation and glorious resurrection which, he foretold, would be
attained by countless souls.
By this sorrow and
this joy, obtain for us that we may be among the number of those who, through
the merits of Jesus and the intercession of Mary the Virgin Mother, are
predestined to a glorious resurrection. (Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory
Be.)
5. O most watchful
Guardian of the Incarnate Son of God, glorious St. Joseph, what toil was thine
in supporting and waiting upon the Son of the most high God, especially in the flight
into Egypt! Yet at the same time, how thou didst rejoice to have always near
you God Himself, and to see the idols of the Egyptians fall prostrate to the
ground before Him.
By this sorrow and
this joy, obtain for us the grace of keeping ourselves in safety from the
infernal tyrant, especially by flight from dangerous occasions; may every idol
of earthly affection fall from our hearts; may we be wholly employed in serving
Jesus and Mary, and for them alone may we live and happily die. (Recite the Our
Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.)
6. O glorious St.
Joseph, thou didst marvel to see the King of Heaven obedient to thy commands,
but thy consolation in bringing Jesus out of the land of Egypt was troubled by
thy fear of Archelaus; nevertheless, being assured by the Angel thou dwelt in
gladness at Nazareth with Jesus and Mary.
By this sorrow and
this joy, obtain for us that our hearts may be delivered from harmful fears, so
that we may rejoice in peace of conscience and may live in safety with Jesus
and Mary and may, like thee, die in their company. (Recite the Our Father, Hail
Mary, Glory Be.)
7. O glorious St.
Joseph, pattern of all holiness, when thou didst lose, through no fault of thine
own, the Child Jesus, thou sought Him sorrowing for the space of three days, until
with great joy thou didst find Him again in the Temple, sitting in the middle
of the doctors.
By this sorrow and
this joy, we supplicate thee, with our hearts upon our lips, to keep us from
ever having the misfortune to lose Jesus through mortal sin; but if this
supreme misfortunate should befall us, grant that we may seek Him with
unceasing sorrow until we find Him again, ready to show us His great mercy,
especially at the hour of death; so that we may pass over to enjoy His presence
in Heaven; and there, in company with thee, may we sing the praises of His
Divine Mercy forever. (Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.)
Antiphon. And Jesus Himself
was beginning about the age of thirty years, being (as it was supposed) the Son
of Joseph.
V. Pray for us, O
holy Joseph,
R. That we may be
made wroth of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
O God, who in Thine ineffable
Providence didst vouchsafe to choose Blessed 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 our intercessor in Heaven. Amen.
Prayer
Pray for us, O Great
Saint Joseph, and by thy love for Jesus and Mary, and by their love for three,
obtain for us the supreme happiness of living and dying in the love of Jesus
and Mary. Amen.
Traditional Memorare
to St. Joseph
Remember, O most
chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who
implored your help or sought your intercession was left unaided. Full of
confidence in your power, I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despite not,
O Foster Father of the Redeemer, my humble supplication, but in your bounty,
hear and answer me. Amen. (pp. 137-40)
St. Faustina’s Memorare to St. Joseph:
Remember, O most pure
spouse of Mary, and my dearly beloved guardian, St. Joseph, that never was it known
that anyone who invoked your care and requested your help was left without consolation.
Inspired with this
confidence, I come to you and with all the ardor of my spirit I commend myself
to you. Do not reject my prayer, O Foster Father of the Savior, but graciously
receive and answer it. Amen. (p. 141)
Prayer to St. Joseph
for Assistance
O glorious St.
Joseph, you were chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus, the most pure
spouse of Mary ever Virgin, and the head of the holy family. You have been
chosen by Christ’s vicar at the heavenly patron and protector of the Church
founded by Christ. Therefore it is with great confidence that I implore your
powerful assistance for the whole Church on earth. Protect in a special manner,
with true fatherly love, the Pope and all bishops and priests in communion with
the See of Peter. Be the protector of all who labor for souls amid the trials
and tribulations of this life, and grant that all peoples of the world may
follow Christ and the Church He founded.
Dear St. Joseph,
accept the offering of myself which I now make to you. I dedicate myself to
your service, that you may 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 for
the spiritual life. May all my actions, after your example, be directed to the
greater glory of God, in union with the divine Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate
Heart of Mary, and your own paternal heart.
Finally, pray for me
that I may share in the pace and joy of your holy death. Amen. (p. 143)
Prayer to St. Joseph
for Protection
Oh St. Joseph,
whose protection is so great, so prompt, so strong
before the throne of God,
I place in you all my interests and desires.
Oh 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.
Oh, St. Joseph,
I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in
your arms;
Idare 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.
Saint Joseph, Patron of departed souls—pray for me:
Amen. (p. 144)
Prayer for the Church
Militant: Petitions and Dedication to St. Joseph
O glorious St.
Joseph, you were chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus, the most pure
spouse of Mary ever Virgin, and the head of the holy family. You have been
chosen by Christ’s Vicar as the heavenly patron and protector of the Church
founded by Christ. Therefore it is with great confidence that I implore your
powerful assistance for the whole Church on earth. Protect in a special manner,
with true fatherly love, the People and all bishops and priests in communion with
the See of Peter. Be the protector of all who labor for souls amid the trials
and tribulations of this life, and grant that all peoples of the world may follow
Christ and the Church He founded.
Dear St. Joseph,
accept the offering of myself which I now make to you. I dedicate myself to
your service, that you may 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 for
the spiritual life. May all my actions, after your example, be directed to the
greater glory of God, in union with the divine Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate
Heart of Mary, and your own paternal heart. Finally, pray for me that I may
share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen. (pp. 146-47)
