Saint Joseph the Workman!

Today is the feast of Saint Joseph the Workman. It is also the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary! So today, let us honor both of them, spouses and parents of Our Blessed Lord.

From the Tridentine Mass…

Wisdom rendered to the just the
wages of their labors, and conducted
them in a wonderful way: and she was
to them for a covert by day, and for the
light of stars by night.

O God, Creator of all things, Who dost
impose on man the law of work; grant
in Thy goodness that, by the example
and patronage of blessed Joseph, we
may both accomplish the work Thou
dost command and attain the reward
Thou hast promised.

Alleluia, alleluia.

In whatever
tribulation they shall cry to me, I will
hear them and be their protector
always.

Make us, Joseph, to
lead an innocent life: and may it ever
be preserved by thy patronage.

May the works of our hands, that we
offer Thee in sacrifice, O Lord,
become for us, by the intercession of
blessed Joseph, a pledge of unity and
peace.

It is truly meet and just, right and for
our salvation, that we should at all
times and in all places give thanks to
Thee, holy Lord, Father almighty,
eternal God: and that we should with
due praise magnify, bless, and
proclaim Thee on the Feast of blessed
Joseph; who being a just man, was
given by Thee as Spouse to the Virgin
Mother of God, and, as a faithful and
prudent servant, was set over Thy
Family, that with fatherly care he might
guard Thine only-begotten Son,
conceived by the overshadowing
of the Holy Spirit, even Jesus Christ
our Lord. Through Whom the Angels
praise Thy majesty, the Dominations
adore, the Powers tremble: the
heavens and the hosts of heaven, and
the blessed Seraphim, together
celebrate in exultation. With whom,
we pray Thee, command that our
voices of supplication also be admitted
in confessing Thee, saying:

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dóminus Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt cæli et terra glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis! 🕇 Benedíctus qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in excélsis!

O Sanctus Ioseph, pro nobis hac hora oro!

Saint Joseph the Workman

I recently came across this prayer to Saint Joseph in a church bulletin. I was unfamiliar with it and thought it was so beautiful. It speaks to our times and the challenges we are all faced with. Perhaps it should start with some prayer to Our Lady (during this month of May!), since the first line indicates that we have sought her help…

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.

Saint Joseph the Workman, pray for us!

Saint Joseph, we pray for all those seeking employment, that they may find work soon, that is useful, but also apart from the corruption of the world. Amen.