Today begins the Month of St. Joseph in the Year of St. Joseph. Surely many graces will be poured into our hearts through the intercession of St. Joseph, if we but ask.
St. Joseph is much needed example and intercessor in our day. Never has the family, masculinity, and purity been so attacked. Homosexuality and transgenderism have become normal, even to the point of sex change operations being approved for children. We see the ravages of divorce on families. We see the scourge of pornography overtaking our young people, and sex trafficking at an all time high. Yes, more than ever, we need St. Joseph!
He is a model for men to emulate. He was a strong protector of the Child Jesus as well as the Virgin Mary. He was strong in his masculinity, rooted in the fatherhood of God. He was pure, having a most chaste heart. He was faithful to Mary, never leaving her and Jesus, but by the noble work of carpentry provided for them. He taught his son to pray, taught him the commandments of God, and the way to properly worship the Almighty in the temple.
How we need an army of men like St. Joseph! This month, let us beg St. Joseph to inspire the virtues of courage, purity, fidelity, noble work, leadership in faith and worship, and love of the Blessed Virgin.
Below are some of my favorite prayers to St. Joseph. Please join me this month in praying one or more of them for fathers, priests, and all men.
RESPONSORY TO ST. JOSEPH
Let us praise our God in veneration of Blessed Joseph, our protector (Alleluia).
V. He made him master of His house (Alleluia).
R. And Lord over all His possessions (Alleluia).
Let us pray: O God, Who in Thine unspeakable providence didst deign to choose Blessed Joseph for Thy most holy Mother’s spouse, grant we beseech Thee, that we who revere him as our protector upon earth may become worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven. Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH, TERROR OF DEMONS
Saint Joseph, Terror of Demons, cast thy solemn gaze upon the devil and all his minions, and protect us with thy mighty staff. Thou didst flee through the night to avoid the devil’s wicked designs; now with the power of God, smite the demons as they flee from thee! Grant special protection, we pray, for children, fathers, families, priests, and the dying. By God’s grace, no demon dares approach while thou art near, so we beg of thee, always be near to us! Amen.
PRAYER OF THE HOLY CLOAK
O Glorious Patriarch St. Joseph, you who were chosen by God above all men to be the earthly head of the most holy of families, I beseech you to accept me within the folds of your holy cloak, that you may become the guardian and custodian of my soul. From this moment on, I choose you as my father, my protector, my counselor, my patron, and I beseech you to place in your custody my body, my soul, all that I am, all that I possess, my life, and my death. Look upon me as one of your children; defend me from the treachery of my enemies, invisible or otherwise, assist me at all times in all my necessities; console me in the bitterness of my life, and especially at the hour of my death. Say but one word for me to the Divine Redeemer whom you were deemed worthy to hold in your arms, and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, your most chaste spouse. Request for me those blessings which will lead me to salvation. Include me amongst those who are most dear to you and I shall set forth to prove myself worthy of your special patronage. Amen.
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