Feast of St. Joseph - March 19

Prayer to Saint Joseph for Priests

Suitable for March 16, 17, and 18

O glorious Saint Joseph,
who, on the word of the angel
speaking to you in the night,
put fear aside to take your Virgin Bride into your home,
show yourself today the advocate and protector of priests.
Protector of the Infant Christ,
defend them against every attack of the enemy,
preserve them from the dangers that surround them
on every side.
Remember Herod's threats against the Child,
the anguish of the flight into Egypt by night,
and the hardships of your exile.
Stand by the accused;
stretch out your hand to those who have fallen;
comfort the fearful;
forsake not the weak;
and visit the lonely.
Let all priests know that in you
God has given them a model
of faith in the night, obedience in adversity,
chastity in tenderness, and hope in uncertainty.
You are the terror of demons
and the healer of those wounded in spiritual combat.
Come to the defence of every priest in need;
overcome evil with good.
Where there are curses, put blessings,
where harm has been done, do good.
Let there be joy for the priests of the Church,
and peace for all under your gracious protection.
Amen.
~~~

Triduum in Preparation for the

Solemnity of St. Joseph

March 19

(March 16) 1. Most glorious St. Joseph, by your grand privilege of being the spouse of the Mother of God and of exercising a fatherly providence and authority over Her Son, our Savior, obtain for us the grace to regard nothing in this world as greater in value than the grace of Jesus and the protection of Mary.

Our Father..., Hail Mary..., Glory be...

(March 17) 2. O most loving patriarch, by that singular character which in you the Gospel declares to be that of a just man, obtain for us the grace to live as upright men with God, our neighbor and ourselves, always in view our sanctification.

Our Father..., Hail Mary..., Glory be...

(March 18) 3. O most blessed patriarch, by that indescribable joy which you experienced in dying most happily, assisted by Jesus and Mary, beg also for us a similar grace; and, comforted sacramentally in death by Jesus, may our final words be: Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I offer my soul to You.

Our Father..., Hail Mary..., Glory be...

Prayer on the day of the Feast:

Oh glorious St. Joseph, chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus, the most pure spouse of Mary ever Virgin and the head of the Holy Family, and chosen by the Vicar of Christ to be the heavenly Patron and Protector of the Church founded by Jesus: with the greatest confidence I now implore your powerful help for the whole Church militant.

Protect in a special way with your paternal love the Supreme Pontiff and all the Bishops and priests. Be the defender of all those who work for souls amidst the anguish and sufferings of this life; and grant that all peoples of the world submit themselves docilely to the Church-the means of salvation for all.

Deign also, oh dearest St. Joseph, to accept the consecration that I make to you of myself. I dedicate all to you so that you may always be my father, my protector, and my guide in the road to sanctification. Obtain for me a great purity of heart and a fervent love for the interior life. Grant that by your example all my actions may be directed to the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and you. Pray for me so that I may participate in the peace and joy which you were so privileged to experience in your holy death. Amen.

V. St. Joseph,

R. Pray for us.