The Year of St. Joseph

The Year of St. Joseph – Until 8th December, 2021

In his Apostolic Letter “Patris corde” [“with a father’s heart”] dating from 8th December 2020, Pope Francis called for a year dedicated to Saint Joseph on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church

Particular dates in 2021 when we will celebrate St Joseph:

• March 19th – Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church.  It is the 8th anniversary of Pope Francis’ installation as bishop of Rome and the first anniversary of the ordination of Bishop David as our bishop.
• May 1st – St Joseph the Worker
• June 29th – Father’s Day

Every Wednesday is also a day dedicated to St Joseph in the liturgical tradition.

Prayers to St. Joseph

Prayer from the Apostolic Letter of Pope Francis

Hail,Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph,to us too,
show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and defend us from every evil.
Amen.

Prayer of Pope Leo XIII

To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our afflictions, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.

O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness.

As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven.
Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Family

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.

Litany of Saint 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.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Illustrious son 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.
Watchful defender 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 valiant, pray for us.
Joseph most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model of workmen, 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 afflicted, 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 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!

V. He made him the lord of His household
R. And prince over all His possessions.

Let Us Pray:

O God, in your infinite wisdom, you chose Blessed Joseph to be the husband of Mary, the most holy Mother of your Son. As we venerate him as our protector on earth, may he pray for us in Heaven. Who lives and reigns forever and ever.
Amen.