Just as I believe that any physical exercise I do just doesn't count, as in, “If I can do it, it can't be considered a workout,” I also don't really credit any praying or devotion I have as “real” prayer.
Some of us who are particularly afflicted with dryness find St. Joseph indeed a miracle worker. “Go to Joseph,” they all said in ancient Egypt during all those famines, and get what you need from his storehouse. “What you need” means not only requests but also what you need — closeness to God, virtue, a spiritual life.
The Old Testament and the New attest to the claim that Joseph is God's shadow, a man who reveals the Fatherhood of God in a very particular way.
{I've recommended this book before: Saint Joseph: Shadow of the Father. I found it very healing!}
We choose our intentions for making this prayer privately and sometimes together. Mine always include the intentions of my husband and the vocations of my children! I don't hesitate to pile it on St. Joseph's shoulders, though.
Whatever I need, I ask him.
R/ Lord, have mercy.
R/ Christ, have mercy.
R/ Lord, have mercy.
R/ Jesus, graciously hear us.
R/ have mercy on us.
R/ have mercy on us.
R/ have mercy on us.
R/ have mercy on us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Renowned offspring of David,
Light of Patriarchs,
Spouse of the Mother of God,
Chaste guardian of the Virgin,
Foster father of the Son of God,
Diligent protector of Christ,
Head of the Holy Family,
Joseph most just,
Joseph most chaste,
Joseph most prudent,
Joseph most strong,
Joseph most obedient,
Joseph most faithful,
Mirror of patience,
Lover of poverty,
Model of artisans,
Glory of home life,
Guardian of virgins,
Pillar of families,
Believe this and entrust your family to him.
Hope of the sick,
Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons,
Protector of Holy Church,
R/ spare us, O Lord.
R/ graciously hear us, O Lord.
R/ have mercy on us.
R/ And prince over all his possessions.
Breanna says
Bless you, Leila, and your humility. 🙂 I always think of the image suggested by C.S. Lewis in an essay on headship when he references Christ saying “the Son does whatever He sees the Father doing” – and then Lewis points out that the human memory in Christ's mind at that moment was, perhaps, Himself as a boy watching St. Joseph in a wood shop, building a chair or planing the beam of a house. That's such a sweet picture.
You know (I think) that I'm a Protestant, but I must have a schizoid relationship with the saints because I love their company– I so enjoyed your meditations on Mary in May, and as I'm getting close to my due date (the 29th!) and meeting my new baby the meditation on St. Joseph will be apropo! 🙂
margo says
well I'll be. Never occurred to me that you weren't writing about marriage too. I guess I don't much either on my blog. (pause to think) probably because my children can't read my blog, whereas my husband can read my blog and say HEY, stop including me in your posts! And my husband is a verrrrry private guy. Are they all? Is this why women have personal blogs and men usually don't? ha – I'm starting to wander afield just like you arrange the sofa cushions when you pray.
Teresa says
Oh Leila, thank you for this reminder of the Seven Sundays of St Joseph – I have never once remembered to observe these “in time” (and, actually, it was some time before I, a convert, was even exposed to this wonderful devotion). Thank you also for sharing your family's observances – it is a great inspiration.
Dear St Joseph – pray for us
Glenda Childers says
Since I am not a Catholic, I don't celebrate this particular holy day, but I am sure we have others that we share. What I like about this post is your intentionality in simple ways to make the habit of your home match what you believe . . . and then to share that with other women. I love the idea of your statue and candles and readings and prayers.
And not to worry about sharing about your married life and then having a row with your husband. Then you could teach woman how to make up . . . since we all have rows with our husbands, too.
I like your teaching heart.
fondly,Glenda
_Leila says
Oh yes, Glenda, there are many benefits to a fight with my husband 😉 Or maybe not.
Thanks for the kind words!
Dyan says
Thanks! My husband is named after good ol' St. Joseph and I always seem to remember that on March 20! I appreciate the effort you go to in order to share these wonderful and uplifting ideas.
priest's wife says
– how have I never heard the phrase “God's shadow”? I LOVE that!
You might not have liked the movie “Nativity Story”- but I thought it did a good job of showing how St Joesph was a protector (snake in water while they are crossing, etc)
Judy@Learningtoletgo says
Leila, I am a life-long Catholic, but somehow I have never heard of this devotion! The Litany of St. Joseph, yes, but the Seven Sundays, no. I appreciate your careful explanantion of the litany, and, as always, am just delighted to read another post from you. Clearly, you have a very loving and warm heart, and it comes across in your writing. Thank you!
Rachel says
I am Protestant, but sometimes wish for some of the liturgy of the Catholic Church…it is beautiful! And I also appreciate your humble spirit. I have been thinking about your words on prayer from several posts ago, and it has been refreshing to me as I focus on how God is working over time when I can't see Him in the moment.
Carol says
Thank you for reminding me about St Joseph. He has done many wonderful things for me in the past. My crosses are piling up at such a unbelievable rate lately that reading your blog brings me such solace. I can't wait to start my litany. Thanks for sharing. I love your blog.
Mia says
I so love the devotion of St. Joseph! The reminder of devotion to family, honor and humility. Thank you for reaching out to me. A prayer will be shared for grace and love of family. thank you.
Marg says
Oh – that was exactly what I needed to read today! I've been praying novenas to St. Joseph to help with my husband finding work – and other family things. I hadn't heard about the 7 Sundays – but I'm so excitied to start this Sunday! I cried when I read this – it hit the spot. You are such a blessing Leila!
_Leila says
Marg, St. Joseph is so good at helping husbands find work. And helping us be patient when it takes a long time! Trust!
Jeannie says
Leila- I love your candor. I can relate to thinking of everyone else doing power novena's! I chuckled out loud and then made my husband read it. 🙂 .
Thank you for posting this devotion!
p.s. thanks for the oxiclean advice on my spaghetti and chili stained napkins
stephanie says
I like this – had to pull out my 'favorite prayers to st. Joseph' to see why 7. Novemas are usually 9. Mine says it is to honor the 7 sorrows and 7 joys of st. Joseph. Thanks for the timely reminder and I hope you find a statue of Joseph that you like better. I just have a “Mexican” St. Joseph candle. (I hope that makes sense and doesn't offend).
mamabear says
I am so glad you posted this, because I knew nothing of it.
We have a Joseph, who was supposed to be “just Joe” after both Grandfathers, but in the hospital we decided he really was Joseph. I bought a nice statue with gift money several years ago and put it somewhere safe (and high), and within the month, a flying cape or towel or something snapped the head right off the child Jesus! My husband repaired it very well and you can't tell, but I still lament my folly of buying something fragile instead of practical, like shoes or food.
Arielle says
Thank you so much for this! I was just talking to my husband about how I wanted to learn more about the particularly Catholic devotion to St. Joseph. We honor him as well (we are Orthodox), but Catholics seem to have a special devotion to him. I was recently reading St. Teresa of Avila and noticed how much she loved him.
Joseph is in the running for the middle name of our next child (I'd love to have it be the first name, but we already have a James Jungwirth, and Joseph Jungwirth is just too much!) and I'll make sure to keep this litany around to share with any child who ends up with this name.
Eternal Optimist says
This is just wonderful! It is so painful watching what passes for fatherhood on TV. We will be praying the Litany of St. Joseph. Thank you for your lovely gift!
Ei LL says
My husband and I burst out laughing reading your first few paragraphs. This is what we always think too!
Anywho, your explanation of this prayer is beautiful. I have minimal experience with Litany's in the home.
Thanks for sharing it with us. We're on it!
Celine says
Wonderful! I had never heard of this. We shall be practicing this devotion, starting tomorrow. I think I will link to some friends of mine also. St. Joseph came to our aid greatly a little over a year ago when we needed a buyer/renter for our home and to find a new house for ourselves. We moved when our fifth was just 10-weeks old (I don't recommend it), and we gave him “Joseph” as his middle name in honor of Jesus' foster father, St. Joseph. As it happens, we are again in need of a buyer/renter as the current one is being deployed. I know that St. Joseph has it all worked out already, and this devotion is a great way to thank him for his help. Thank you for posting it!