Church of St. Joseph

After Jesus and Mary, St. Joseph had the most sublime of missions and vocations. He was called to be the spouse of Mary, the Mother of God, and to be the foster-father of Jesus, the Son of God. In both roles, St. Joseph accepted his position with great humility and a strong sense of responsibility. He was called righteous in the Bible. He was unassuming, and the Bible does not record a single word said by St. Joseph.

At the same time, he was a man of great faith and diligence in carrying out God’s will, even when it initially went against his own inclinations. The brief Bible accounts of St. Joseph further show he not only provided for Mary and Jesus but was also their protector. He is protector par excellence of the Church and those seeking God’s salvation.

So we, members of the Church of St. Joseph, should have great confidence invoking his intercession because as a parish community he is specifically our own patron, provider, and protector. Here is a good litany to pray for St. Joseph’s intercession!

Lord, have mercy on us Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Jesus, hear us, Jesus, 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.
St. 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 strong, 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 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 Holy Church, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Jesus.
He made him the lord of his household 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.

St. Joseph, pray for us.