ST. JOSEPH NOVENA
1. Joseph, her husband, an upright man, unwilling to expose her to the law, decided to divorce her quietly. (Mt. 1:19)
St. Joseph, we pray for those who are preparing for marriage. May they build a lifelong commitment to each other in sincerity of heart. We pray for those who are separated or divorced: may they find healing and peace in Jesus.
ST. JOSEPH, BLESS OUR FAMILY, OUR FRIENDS AND YOUR CONGREGATION.
2. Such was his intention when suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream and said to him: “Joseph, son of David, have no fear about taking Mary as your wife. It is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this child. She is to have a son, and you are to name him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.”
(Mt. 1: 20-21)
St. Joseph, we pray for those who are about to make important decisions in their lives. May they choose not out of selfishness and greed, but out of love and generosity. May they discern God’s will for them and fulfill it.
ST. JOSEPH, BLESS OUR FAMILY, OUR FRIENDS AND YOUR CONGREGATION.
3. When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had directed him and received her into his home as his wife. He had no relations with her at any time before she bore a son, whom he named Jesus. (Mt. 1:24-25)
St. Joseph, we pray for those who are entering into new relationships. May they be faithful to one another’s trust and friendship. We pray for those who are planning their own families: may they be motivated by reverence for life and by respect for one another.
ST. JOSEPH, BLESS OUR FAMILY, OUR FRIENDS AND YOUR CONGREGATION.
4. Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to David’s town of Bethlehem –because he was of the house and lineage of David- to register with Mary, his espoused wife, who was with child.
(Lk. 2:4-5)
St. Joseph, we pray for lawmakers. May they be inspired by a profound sense of fairness and justice. May they take up the cause of the poor and the powerless. We pray for those who enforce the law: may they be gentle and dedicated servants of the truth.
ST. JOSEPH, BLESS OUR FAMILY, OUR FRIENDS AND YOUR CONGREGATION.
5. After they had left, the angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph with the command: “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you otherwise. Herod is searching for the child to destroy him.” Joseph got up, took the child and his mother and left that night for Egypt.
(Mt. 2:13-15)
St. Joseph, we pray for refugees. Uprooted from their land and people , may they find in our hearts, and the heart of every Christian, a sanctuary of protection and compassion. We pray for those who are persecuted. May they experience comfort and strength in God’s unfailing love.
ST. JOSEPH, BLESS OUR FAMILY, OUR FRIENDS AND YOUR CONGREGATION.
6. After Herod’s death, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt with the command: “Get up, take the child and his mother, and set out for the land of Israel. Those who had designs on the life of the child are dead. He got up, took the child and his mother, and returned to the land of Israel.
(Mt. 2: 19-21)
St. Joseph, we pray for those who are coming home from wars, from prisons, from work in foreign lands. We pray for the emigrants who long to be reunited with their loves ones and miss their country. We pray for missionaries and volunteers who serve Christ and humanity in developing countries. May their sacrifices be seed for a world of understanding , justice and peace.
ST. JOSEPH, BLESS OUR FAMILY, OUR FRIENDS AND YOUR CONGREGATION.
7. When the day came to purify them according to the law of Moses, the couple brought him to Jerusalem so that he could be presented to the Lord, for it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every first-born male shall be consecrated to the Lord.” (Lk. 2: 22-23)
St. Joseph, we pray for those who are faithful to the Church and responsibly follow its guidelines. May they find joy in their respectful service of God’s law. We pray for those who are not in harmony with the teachings of your Church: may they be open to your revelation, out of a sincere desire to serve God’s kingdom.
ST. JOSEPH, BLESS OUR FAMILY, OUR FRIENDS AND YOUR CONGREGATION.
8. When the pair had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee and their own town of Nazareth. The child grew in size and strength, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
(Lk 2:39-40)
St. Joseph, we pray for the children of the world who have a loving family to nurture them and a caring society to protect them. May they be given the chance to celebrate life in its fullness. We pray for the children of the world who are hungry, naked, sick, exploited. May their sufferings move our lives to solidarity and deeds of justice.
ST. JOSEPH, BLESS OUR FAMILY, OUR FRIENDS AND YOUR CONGREGATION.
9. When his parents saw him they were astonished, and his mother said to him: “Son, why have you done this to us? You see that your father and I have been searching for you in sorrow.” He said to them, “Why did you search for me? Did you not know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not grasp what he said to them. (Lk. 2: 48-49)
St. Joseph, we pray for parents and teenagers who communicate with and affirm each other. May they continue in their mutual appreciation and affection. We pray for those parents and children whose relationship has been shaken by misunderstanding, disrespect, hatred. May they come to acknowledge their need for each other. We pray for runaways and lost children: may they find their way home to their families.
ST. JOSEPH, BLESS OUR FAMILY, OUR FRIENDS AND YOUR CONGREGATION.
LITANY TO ST. JOSEPH
St. Joseph, Son of David, we honor you
St. Joseph, husband of Mary, we honor you
St. Joseph, father of Jesus, we honor you
St. Joseph, head of the Holy Family, we honor you
St. Joseph, Man of prudence, we honor you
St. Joseph, man of discernment, we honor you
St. Joseph, man of faith, we honor you
St. Joseph, man of obedience, we honor you
St. Joseph, man of justice, we honor you
St. Joseph, man of quiet deeds, we honor you
St. Joseph, comfort of refugees, assist your people
St. Joseph, comfort of the homeless, assist your people
St. Joseph, comfort of the persecuted, assist your people
St. Joseph, model of educators, assist your people
St. Joseph, model of fatherhood, assist your people
St. Joseph, model of marital fidelity, assist your people
St. Joseph, patron of workers, assist your people
St. Joseph, patron of the dying, assist your people
St. Joseph, patron of the Church, assist your people
St. Joseph, patron of your congregation, assist your people
PRAYER
St. Joseph, you experienced the trials of faith, the anxiety for tomorrow, the toil of work.
Strengthen us when our faith grows weak.
Give us hope when darkness clouds our future.
Protect those who work to earn their daily bread.
Pray for those who continue to suffer from poverty and the greediness of our heart.
Bless those who are committed to create peace in our world.
Nurture and assist the young in their growth to maturity.
Continue to comfort the dying.
Renew in spirit and numbers the Congregation that bears your name.
Amen.
ST. JOSEPH ROSARY
Prayer:
Hail Joseph, Son of David, the Savior is in your hands; blessed are you among men, and blessed is the fruit of your spouse, Mary.
St. Joseph, husband of Mary, raise religious vocations for your Church, here in the States and throughout the world. Amen.
Mysteries:
- Betrothal to Mary (Mt 1:18).
- Annunciation to Joseph (Mt 1:19-21).
- Birth and Naming of Jesus (Mt 1:22-25).
- Flight into Egypt (Mt 2:13-15).
- Hidden Life at Nazareth (Mt 2:23; Lk 2:51-52).