Anonymous - Favorite Prayers to St. Joseph (with Supplemental Reading: Favorite Prayers to Our Lady) [Illustrated]

S AINT J OSEPH

F OSTER F ATHER OF O UR L ORD J ESUS C HRIST

M OST C HASTE S POUSE OF THE

B LESSED V IRGIN M ARY

Nihil Obstat:

Rev. Msgr. CharlesW. McNamee, S.T.L., J.C.L. Censor Librorum

Imprimatur:

Most Rev.Thomas G. Doran, D.D., J.C.D. Bishop of Rockford April 15, 1997

The Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur are official declarations that a book or pamphlet is free from doctrinal or moral error. No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat or Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions or statements expressed.

Copyright 1997 by TAN Books, an Imprint of Saint Benedict Press, LLC.This copyright covers this particular arrangement of existing material, plus any revisions of existing material and any other new material included herein.

Cover illustration credit: Chatigniere. Inv./Boumard Fils, Paris. Picture on page 73 copyright Daprato Statuary Co.

Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 91-65847

ISBN 978-0-89555-446-8

This booklet was published in large part through the help of Ed Desloge.

Printed and bound in the United States of America.

TAN Books
Charlotte, North Carolina
2012

G O TO J OSEPH!

Of old it was said to the needy and suffering people in the kingdom of Egypt: Go to Joseph, and do all that he shall say to you. (Gen. 41:55).

The same is now said by the Sovereign Pontiff to all needy and suffering people in the kingdom of the Church: G O TO J OSEPH

What was truly said of the first Joseph, as to his future, and as to his goodness, his chastity, his patience, his wisdom, his influence with the king, his power over the people, and his love for his brethren, is verified much more perfectly, even to this day, in the second J OSEPH.

Herbert Cardinal Vaughan

Archbishop of Westminster

(For public or private use.)

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.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Illustrious son of David, etc.

Light of patriarchs,

Spouse of the Mother of God,

Chaste guardian of the Virgin,

Foster father of the Son of God,

Watchful defender of Christ,

Head of the Holy Family,

Joseph most just,

Joseph most chaste,

Joseph most prudent,

Joseph most valiant,

Joseph most obedient,

Joseph most faithful,

Mirror of patience,

Lover of poverty,

Model of workmen,

Glory of home life,

Guardian of virgins,

Pillar of families,

Solace of the afflicted,

Hope of the sick,

Patron of the dying,

Terror of demons,

Protector of Holy Church,

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,

Spare us, O Lord!

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,

Graciously hear us, O Lord!

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us!

V. He made him the lord of His household,

R. And prince over all His possessions.

Let Us Pray

O God, Who in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Contents

O GLORIOUS St. Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to thee do we raise our hearts and hands to implore thy powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign Heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special favor we now implore ( state your petition ).

O Guardian of the Word Incarnate, we have confidence that thy prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen.

( Then say the following seven times in honor of the seven sorrows and joys of St. Joseph. )

V. O Glorious St. Joseph! Through thy love for Jesus Christ and for the glory of His Name,

R. Hear our prayers and obtain our petitions.

V. Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

R. Assist us!

R EMEMBER, O most pure Spouse of the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph my beloved patron, that never has it been heard that anyone invoked thy patronage and sought thine aid without being comforted. Inspired by this confidence, I come to thee and fervently commend myself to thee. Ah, despise not my petition, dear Foster Father of our Redeemer, but accept it graciously. Amen.

THE TESTIMONY OF ST. TERESA

Words of St. Teresa of Avila

I took for my patron and lord the glorious St. Joseph, and recommended myself earnestly to him. I saw clearly that both out of this my present trouble, and out of others of greater importance, relating to my honor and the loss of my soul, this my father and lord delivered me, and rendered me greater services than I knew how to ask for. I cannot call to mind that I have ever asked him at any time for anything which he has not granted; and I am filled with amazement when I consider the great favors which God has given me through this blessed Saint; the dangers from which he has delivered me, both of body and of soul.

Autobiography, VI, 9

R EMEMBER, O most illustrious Patriarch St. Joseph, on the testimony of St. Teresa, thy devoted client, that never has it been heard that anyone invoked thy protection or sought thy mediation who has not obtained relief. In this confidence I come before thee, my loving protector, chaste spouse of Mary, foster father of the Saviour of men and dispenser of the treasures of His Sacred Heart. Despise not my earnest prayer, but graciously hear and obtain my petition. ( Mention your intention. )

Let Us Pray

O God, Who in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

O BLESSED Saint Joseph, tenderhearted father, faithful guardian of Jesus, chaste spouse of the Mother of God, we pray and beseech thee to offer to God the Father His divine Son, bathed in blood on the Cross for sinners, and through the thrice-holy Name of Jesus, obtain for us from the Eternal Father the favor we implore. ( Name your request. )

Appease the Divine anger so justly inflamed by our crimes, beg of Jesus mercy for thy children. Amid the splendors of eternity, forget not the sorrows of those who suffer, those who pray, those who weep; stay the Almighty arm which smites us, that by thy prayers and those of thy most holy spouse, the Heart of Jesus may be moved to pity and to pardon. Amen. St. Joseph, pray for us.