Prayers to Saint Joseph – Patron of Workers & Fathers
Prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker
Written by Pope Saint Pius X in the early 20th century, this prayer to Saint Joseph is traditionally prayed on May 1, the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. You can also say it before beginning your work every morning or at times when work is especially hard.
O glorious Saint Joseph,
model of all who devote their lives to labor,
obtain for me the grace
to work in the spirit of penance,
in order thereby to atone for my many sins;
to work conscientiously,
setting devotion to duty
in preference to my own whims;
to work with thankfulness and joy,
deeming it an honor to employ and to develop
by my labor the gifts I have received from God;
to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience,
without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties;
to work above all with a pure intention
and with detachment from self,
having always before my eyes
the hour of death
and the accounting which I must then render
of time ill spent,
of talents wasted,
of good omitted,
and of vain complacency in success,
which is so fatal to the work of God.
All for Jesus,
all through Mary,
all in imitation of you,
O Patriarch Joseph!
This shall be my watchword in life and in death.
Amen.
Prayer to Saint Joseph, Patron of Fathers
This beloved prayer by Pope John XXIII seeks the intercession of Saint Joseph the foster-father of Jesus and guardian of the Holy Family for all fathers as they protect and guide their families.
Saint Joseph, guardian of Jesus and chaste husband of Mary,
you passed your life in loving fulfillment of duty.
You supported the holy family of Nazareth
with the work of your hands.
Kindly protect those who trustingly come to you.
You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes.
They look to you because they know you will understand and protect them.
You too knew trial, labor, and weariness.
But amid the worries of material life,
your soul was full of deep peace
and sang out in true joy through intimacy
with God’s Son entrusted to you,
and, with Mary, his tender Mother.
Assure those you protect that they do not labor alone.
Teach them to find Jesus near them and
to watch over him faithfully as you have done.
Amen.
Traditional Prayer for the Intercession of Saint Joseph
This is one of the oldest prayers to Saint Joseph, a poetic petition for the intercession of Saint Joseph, seeking spiritual blessings and a happy death.
Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great,
so strong, so prompt before the throne of God.
I place in you all my interests and desires.
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 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.
St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for me.
Discover Three Saints Who Were Fathers
Fathers shape their families in quiet, powerful ways. Saint Joseph, Saint Louis IX, and Saint Louis Martin show that fatherhood can become a path to holiness.
