Edward Healy Thompson - The Life and Glories of St. Joseph

Joseph, Our Patron

A Treasury of Prayers and Devotions to Saint Joseph Selected from Traditional Sources, with New Prayers Contributed by a Devoted Client of Saint Joseph.

Compiled and Edited by: K.L.S.

English Biblical quotations are from the 1899 Douay-Rheims Version.

Latin Biblical quotations are from the 1914 Sixtus V and Clement VIII Latin Vulgate Bible, edited by P. Michael Hetzenauer.

The prayers Saint Joseph, Terror of Demons and A Prayer for an Increase of Vocations to Priestly and Religious Life have been given to the Public Domain.

Copyright 2016 by K.L.S.

All rights reserved.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

Et

Pro Meis Liberis

~ Table of Contents ~

PART I

SANCTIFYING THE DAY WITH SAINT JOSEPH

PART II

NOVENAS TO SAINT JOSEPH

PART III

LITANIES

Part IV

CONSECRATIONS TO SAINT JOSEPH

PART V

HOLY MASS AND COMMUNION IN UNION WITH SAINT JOSEPH

PART VI

VARIOUS PRAYERS AND DEVOTIONS TO SAINT JOSEPH

PART VII

SAINT JOSEPH, THE WORKER

PART VIII

SAINT JOSEPH, PILLAR OF FAMILIES

PART IX

SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF THE DYING

PART X

SAINT JOSEPH, PROTECTOR OF HOLY CHURCH

PART XI

PRAYERS TO SAINT JOSEPH FOR VARIOUS INTENTIONS

This prayer book is the fruit of a desire to foster prayers and love towards our Lord through Saint Joseph. For such an august saint, the lack of prayer books devoted exclusively to him is woefully lacking. The editor wished to have a collection of certain favorite prayers to Saint Joseph all in one book; and while in the midst of researchand to the editors great joyfound an amazing amount of prayers to Saint Joseph that have been lost to time. Many of these have been tucked away in tomes hidden in libraries, only to see the light of day through the internet, and hopefully, through this book.

The editor has tried to produce these prayers exactly as they were foundas part of their charm is that they have been untouched and unchanged for over a hundred years. However, some minor editing seemed necessary in a few of the prayers. The changes mostly include editing for clarity, brevity, organisational purposes, and changing some elements for modern usage. The editor has included a bibliography, if the reader would wish to see the original prayers.

May this prayer book bring all who use it to a deeper love and friendship with Saint Joseph, and through his prayers, may we all rejoice together in the Heavenly Homeland.

-K.L.S.

Part I

Sanctifying the Day with Saint Joseph

Beginning Prayer

Hail, Joseph, favored with grace, Jesus and Mary are with thee: blessed art thou among men, and blessed is Jesus, the Son of thy Spouse. Holy Joseph, foster-father of Jesus, and spouse of the Immaculate Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Sunday

My dear Saint Joseph, I beseech thee to obtain for me a contrite and humble heart, and great purity of soul and body.

Glory Be (3x)

Monday

Most glorious Joseph, pray for me, that I may accomplish the will of God all the days of my life.

Glory Be (3x)

Tuesday

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Oh sweet objects of my love, may I live, suffer, and diein you, for you, and with you.

Glory Be (3x)

Wednesday

Blessed Saint Joseph, obtain for me the grace to lead a pure and holy life, ever secure under thy patronage.

Glory Be (3x)

Thursday

Beloved Saint Joseph, chaste spouse of the Immaculate Mary, intercede for me that I may obtain pardon, mercy, and salvation.

Glory Be (3x)

Friday

Remember me, O most merciful Saint Joseph, and pray for me this day and always to Jesus, who deigned to be called thy son, and who has saved me by His precious blood.

Glory Be (3x)

Saturday

O Most noble patriarch, Saint Joseph, through thy intercession may the Blessed Virgin, thy Immaculate Spouse, be propitious to me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.

Glory Be (3x)

Concluding Prayer

Hail! holy Saint Joseph, who, chosen by God above all other men, was enriched with grace and adorned with sanctity, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst men, and blessed is He who condescended to be reputed thy son, Jesus. O glorious Saint Joseph, most worthy spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary! pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

O Jesus, have mercy on me.

O Mary and Joseph, assist me.

The Little Office of Saint Joseph is a perfect devotion for Wednesdays, the day traditionally dedicated to Saint Joseph. This beautiful English translation of a much older Latin version is taken from a devotional published in 1914 titled Prayer-Book For Religious , written by Rev. F. X. Lasance, with minor translations being those of the editor. The Catholic Church has granted a partial indulgence when the faithful recites The Little Office of Saint Joseph.

MATINS

Hail, glory of the patriarchs, steward of Gods holy Church, who didst preserve the Bread of Life and the Wheat of the Elect.

. Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips,

. And my mouth shall announce Thy praise.

. Incline unto mine aid, O God!

. O Lord, make haste to help me.

. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Hymn

Mighty Joseph, son of David!

High and glorious is thy state

Of Our Lord the foster-father,

Mary's spouse Immaculate.

The Almightys faithful servant,

Of the Holy Family,

Head and father. Oh! I pray thee,

Be a father unto me.

Ant. He made him master of His house, and ruler over all His possession. (Psalm 104: 21)

. Pray for us, most blessed Joseph,

. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

May we, O Lord, we beseech Thee, be assisted by the merits of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, that what of ourselves we cannot possibly obtain, may through his intercession be granted to us by Thee, Who livest and reignest God forever and ever. Amen.

. O Lord, hear my prayer,

. And let my cry come unto Thee.

. Let us bless the Lord.

. Thanks be to God.

. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

. Amen.

PRIME

Hail, glory of the patriarchs, steward of Gods holy Church, who didst preserve the Bread of Life and the Wheat of the Elect.

. Incline unto mine aid, O God!

. O Lord, make haste to help me.

. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Hymn

Sorely was thy bosom troubled

Till the mystery was revealed

Which the Lord had wrought in Mary,

Who in patience all concealed.

But an angel soon from Heaven

Bids thy loving doubts to cease:

So may every care and trial

Turn for me to joy and peace.

Ant. Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 1:20)

. Pray for us, most blessed Joseph,

. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

May we, O Lord, we beseech Thee, be assisted by the merits of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, that what of ourselves we cannot possibly obtain, may through his intercession be granted to us by Thee, Who livest and reignest God forever and ever. Amen.

. O Lord, hear my prayer,

. And let my cry come unto Thee.

. Let us bless the Lord.