Pope Leo XIII composed this prayer in 1889, in his encyclical Quamquam pluries on devotion to St. Joseph, at a time when the Church faced great hostility. He asked that it be added to the Rosary during October, and it has been a favorite ever since. It calls on St. Joseph as guardian of the Holy Family to protect the Church, which is the family of Christ, from error and every danger. Pray it after the Rosary, especially in October; on Wednesdays, the day traditionally dedicat

The Holy Family of Nazareth, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, is the model and protector of every Christian home. Like every family, they knew hardship, poverty, travel, and worry, and the Church celebrates them on the Sunday after Christmas. This prayer asks their blessing on your household and the grace to bear with one another, forgive quickly, and serve each other. Pray it together at dinner or bedtime, during times of tension or conflict, when family members are estranged, or wh

These three short aspirations to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are among the best-known in the Catholic tradition and were once commonly taught to children and printed in every prayer book. Invoking the Holy Family together is especially fitting because St. Joseph is the patron of a happy death, since by tradition he died in the arms of Jesus and Mary. The first aspiration gives heart and soul to the Holy Family; the second and third ask their help at the hour of death. Pray them o

St. Joseph, the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus, is patron of the universal Church, of fathers and families, of workers, and of a happy death. This popular prayer, "O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt," has been printed on holy cards for generations. Its circulation has sometimes been accompanied by legends about its ancient origin and promised results; the Church guarantees no such promises, but the prayer itself expresses solid trust

St. Joseph sanctified daily labor. Entrust your work to his patronage. The Prayer O glorious Saint Joseph, model of all who labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting devotion to duty before my own desires; to labor with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honor to use and develop by my labor the gifts I have received from God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties. Amen. Traditiona

The Gospels do not record St. Joseph's death, but tradition holds that he died before Jesus began His public ministry, with Jesus and Mary at his side. No death could be more peaceful, and so the Church honors St. Joseph as patron of a happy, or holy, death. A "happy death" does not mean one without suffering; it means dying in God's grace, prepared by the sacraments and surrounded by prayer. This prayer asks St. Joseph to come with Jesus and Mary to help us at the hour of de

This traditional petition asks God to guard, unite, and sanctify His holy Church. The Prayer O God, our refuge and our strength, look down with favor upon Thy people who cry to Thee; and through the intercession of the glorious and Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Saint Joseph her Spouse, of Thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the Saints, in mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of our holy M

The Litany of St. Joseph asks the foster-father of Jesus to pray for the Church and for Christian homes. It is a beloved traditional devotion. The Prayer 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. Saint