Prayer to St. Joseph

Feast Day: March 19

All that we know about the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus comes from the Scriptures,
and this source sheds a thorough light on St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church.

Call to Prayer:

We gather to celebrate St. Joseph. His life reveals a man of many talents and dispositions. Of regal lineage, Joseph experienced the common
realities of his home town Nazareth. He was law abiding and insightful about how it applied to people. Compassionate and caring, Joseph was, by trade a carpenter, and knew the creative joy of providing for his wife and child. He was a just man who lived the Jewish law but knew how to cherish a deep respect for just how that law applied to life. He was resourceful in exile, faithful to life’s duties and undoubtedly passed into eternity in the comforting care of his wife and loving son. We turn to St. Joseph, whose selfless service in each of his assigned roles, inspires us and motivates us as we pray.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
from whence comes my help.
My help comes from you, O God,
who made heaven and earth.
You will not let my foot stumble,
you, who preserve me, will not sleep.
Behold, you who keep Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
You, O God, are our keeper;
you are our shade.
The sun shall not smite us by day,
nor the moon by night.
You will guard us from all evil;
you will preserve our lives.
You will protect our goings and comings
both now and forever.
Glory to you, Source of all Being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning is now and will be forever.
Amen.

Reading:

People’s Companion to the Breviary for March 19th

Contemporary Christians might find their way back to what is best in them if the individuality of this man [Joseph], their patron, were again producing more stature in them … A nation needs men and women of lifelong performance of duty, of clearheaded loyalty, of discipline of heart and body. A nation needs men and women who know that true greatness is achieved only in selfless service to the greater and holy duty that is imposed upon each life … A nation needs men and women who do not lose confidence in God’s grace, even when they have to seek it as lost, as Joseph once sought the divine child. Such individuals are urgently needed in every situation and in every class … Joseph lives … for
the communion of saints is near and the seeming distance is only appearance …

We, however, will experience the blessing of his protection if we, with God’s grace, open our heart and our life
to his spirit and the quiet power of his intercession.
(Karl Rahner, The Great Church Year)

(Period of reflection and sharing)

Petitions:

Leader:
O God, you direct the life of our Community through the guidance of Jesus, Mary and Joseph; St.
Joseph is guardian and protector to us and so we pray:

Leader:
Joseph, you cared for your family in Egypt, an occupied land …

All:
We ask that you help our nation’s leaders to act courageously in finding an equitable solution to the immigration problems in our country; we ask you to keep lawmakers mindful of the human needs of so many people away from their homelands.

Leader:
Joseph, you worked as a carpenter to provide for your wife and son …

All:
We ask that you direct and guide those who are responsible for creating jobs for the unemployed, and that you help families who struggle with so little income.

Leader:
Joseph, you died knowing the love of Jesus and Mary …

All:
We ask for the grace to die in similar peace and, through your intercession, we ask a lasting peace for all those who have died.

Leader:
Joseph, you entered the mysteries of the life of Jesus and Mary …

All:
We ask that you help each one of us to enter into the mystery of hope so that we become risk-takers.

Leader:
Let us pray:

All:
O God, you gave Joseph the awesome joy of joining Mary in caring for the child, Jesus. Through Joseph’s intercession grant us the grace to remain always close to Jesus, to be protective of the little ones, to be concerned about the poor and the marginalized. Help us, as Joseph did, to live justly and walk humbly with our God. We ask this in the name of Jesus.
Amen