(Guido Reni, 1640) (link)

Feast Day · March 19

Joseph

Patron ofUniversal Church, Workers, Fathers, Dying, Social Justice

SituationsEmployment, Family, Housing

ProfessionsCarpenters, Engineers, Workers

Why this patronage

Saint Joseph is the patron of workers and craftsmen because the Gospels name him the carpenter of Nazareth, the just man who labored with his hands to provide for Jesus and Mary — and so the Church keeps his feast of “Joseph the Worker” on May 1, sanctifying all honest toil; carpenters, engineers, and laborers claim him as their own. He is the patron of fathers and of the home because he was the faithful guardian of the Holy Family, and is invoked for housing and employment for the same reason — many a family prays to him to find work or a home, as he found shelter and bread for his own. He is the patron of a holy death because, by ancient tradition, he died in the arms of Jesus and Mary, the most blessed of all deathbeds. Above all, Pope Pius IX in 1870 declared him Patron of the Universal Church, the household of God now in his keeping as the house of Nazareth once was.

Life

Saint Joseph, the foster father of Jesus and husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is one of the most beloved saints in the Catholic tradition. A humble carpenter from Nazareth, he was chosen by God to protect and provide for the Holy Family. Known for his obedience, silence, and unwavering faith, Joseph is venerated as the patron saint of the Universal Church, workers, and fathers.

Prayer

Prayer to Saint Joseph (Oratio ad Sanctum Ioseph)

Ad te, beáte Ioseph, in tribulatióne nostra confúgimus,

To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation,

atque, imploráto Sponsae tuae sanctíssimae auxílio,

and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse,

patrocínium quoque tuum fidénter expóscimus.

we confidently invoke your patronage also.

Per eam, quaésumus, quae te cum immaculáta Vírgine Dei Genetríce coniúnxit, caritátem,

Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God,

perque patérnum, quo Púerum Iesum ampléxus es, amórem,

and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus,

súpplices deprecámur,

we humbly pray:

ut ad hereditátem, quam Iesus Christus acquisívit Sánguine suo,

graciously regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood,

benignus respícias,

and look upon us with kindness,

ac necessitátibus nostris tua virtúte et ope succúrras.

and with your power and strength aid us in our necessities.

Tuére, o Custos providentíssime divínae Famíliae,

O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family,

Iesu Christi sóbolem eléctam;

defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ;

prohíbe a nobis, amantíssime Pater,

O most loving father, ward off from us

omnem érroris et corruptélae lábem;

every contagion of error and corrupting influence;

propítius nobis, sóspitator noster fortíssime,

O our most mighty protector, be kind to us

in pugna cum potestátibus tenebrárum

in the struggle with the powers of darkness,

e caelo adésto;

assist us from heaven;

et sicut olim Púerum Iesum

and, as once you rescued the Child Jesus

e summo erípuisti vitae discrímine,

from the gravest peril to his life,

ita nunc Ecclésiam sanctam Dei

so now defend God's holy Church

ab hostílibus insídiis atque ab omni adversitáte défende:

from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity;

nosque síngulos perpétuo tege patrocínio,

shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection,

ut ad tui exémplar et ope tua suffúlti,

so that, supported by your example and your aid,

sancte vívere, pie émori,

we may be able to live in holiness, to die in piety,

sempiternámque in caelis beatitúdinem ássequi possímus.

and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven.

Amen.