Can you believe it! Christians have been praying to St. Joseph and asking for his intercession for almost 2000 years! This prayer, that doesn’t have a name, dates back to the year 50, the apostolic years, just after the death of Jesus Christ!
“Oh, St. Joseph,
whose protection is so great, so prompt, so strong,
before the throne of God,
I place in you all my interests and desires. (say your intention here)
Oh, St. 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.
Oh, St. Joseph,
I never weary 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.
St. Joseph, Patron of departed souls - pray for me. Amen.”
This prayer is often said as a Novena for 9 days or as a prayer for the dearly departed because St. Joseph is the patron saint for a happy death. It can be said for a person who we know is going to die soon just as we would say the Divine Mercy Chaplet!
“Whoever shall read this prayer or hear it or keep it about themselves, shall never die a sudden death or be drowned, nor shall poison take effect on them; neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy or be burned in any fire or be overpowered in battle. Say for nine mornings for anything you desire. It has never been known to fail.”
Now you can see for yourself, if it never fails!
No one knows exactly when St. Joseph died but it is known that he had passed away just before Jesus went into public ministry and began evangelising. Even way back then, early Christians recognized the many virtues of St. Joseph (faithfulness, righteousness, consoling, guardianship of priests, families and the poor etc) and prayed for his help. In 1505, the emperor Charles received this prayer from the Pope Julius II before going into battle. In 1950, it received an imprimatur from Hugh Boyle, the Bishop of Pittsburgh.
Let’s keep this ancient tradition of asking St. Joseph to intercede for us and see how our lives can be transformed with fervent prayer! Hozana has a multitude of prayer communities to meet your many needs and help you to keep praying fervently. You can pray to St. Joseph all year around for his continual support. You can also say a novena at any time you feel the need and meditate on his holiness. Otherwise you can also pray with other saints for guidance such as Padre Pio or St. Therese of Lisieux! If you are up to it, you can also receive the daily Gospel and meditation.