The Statue of St

The Statue of St. Joseph.

Other than various apocryphal texts, the main sources of information about the life of St. Joseph are the first chapters of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke. The non-admittance of the apocryphal works to the Canon of Sacred Scripture casts strong suspicion upon their content even though some of the facts recorded may be based on trustworthy traditions. In most cases it is impossible to distinguish true history from purely mythical invention.

The scant information that we do have about the life of St. Joseph indicates that he was probably born in Bethlehem, the city of David and that at some stage in his life he forsook his birthplace for Galilee. It was while at Nazareth that Joseph was probably betrothed to and later married Mary, the mother of Jesus.

It is not known when St. Joseph died but we may well suppose that it was before the start of Jesus’ public ministry and certainly before the passion and death of Jesus – would Jesus have entrusted Mary to the care of St. John if Joseph has still been alive?

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, Redeemer 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
Saint 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	Pray 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 brave	Pray for us
Joseph most obedient	Pray for us
Joseph most faithful	Pray for us
Mirror of prudence	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 the 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 House
And ruler of all His Possessions
Let us pray. O God, who in your unspeakable providence deigned to chose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your own most holy Mother: grant, we beseech you, that we may deserve to have him as our intercessor in heaven, who we venerate on earth as our protector. Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen.

Prayer to St. Joseph.
(After the recitation of the Rosary during October)

To you, O blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our afflictions, and, having implored the help of your holy Spouse, we now, our hearts filled with confidence, earnestly beg you also to take us under your protection. By that charity wherewith you were united to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and by that fatherly love with which you cherished the Child Jesus, we beseech you and humbly pray that you will look down with gracious eyes upon that inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased by His blood, and will succour us in our need by your power and strength. Defend, O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen offspring of Jesus Christ. Keep from us, O most loving Father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, most valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers of darkness. And even as of old you rescued the Child Jesus from the peril of His life, so now defend God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield us ever under your patronage, that, following your example and strengthened by your help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting bliss in heaven. Amen.

Prayer to St. Joseph.
(Proclaimed Patron of the Universal Church by Pope Pius IX on the 8^th of December 1870)

O blessed Joseph, on whom God bestowed the name and dignity of foster-father if Jesus; and gave Mary ever Virgin to be your most pure spouse; head of the Holy Family on earth; finally chosen by the Vicar of Christ as Patron and Protector of the Universal Church established by the Lord Jesus Christ, with the greatest confidence I implore for that same Church militant on earth, your most powerful assistance. Keep, I beseech you, in the special care of that paternal love, with which you burn forever, the Roman Pontiff, all bishops and priests united to the See of Peter. Be the defender of all who labour for the salvation of souls among the sorrows and trials of this life. Bring all people of their own free will to submit themselves to the Church, which is everywhere the necessary means of salvation. Accept, most holy Joseph, the offering of myself, whole and entire, which I make to you, freely and willingly. I consecrate myself wholly to you, to be always my father, protector and leader in the way of salvation. Obtain for me exceeding great cleanliness of heart, and a burning love of the interior life. Grant that, following your footsteps, I may direct all my actions to the greater glory of God, in union with the love of the Divine Heart of Jesus, and the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary. Finally, pray that I may share in the peace and joy that was yours in your most happy death. Amen.

Prayer to St. Joseph for a Happy Death.

O Blessed 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 presence, and protect me by your power against the enemies of my salvation. Into your sacred hands, living and dying, Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I commend my soul. Amen.