Saint Joseph, Foster Father of Our Lord, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin,
Patron of the Universal Church,
Patron of Families,
Patron of Departing Souls
PRAYERS TO SAINT JOSEPH
O, Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God.
I place in you all my interests and desires.
O, Saint Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession,
and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings,
through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power,
I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.
O, Saint Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms;
I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.
Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me
and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.
Saint Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for me.
Amen.
To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, 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 propitious to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness; and, 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 holily, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.