Novena to Saint Joseph

Saint Joseph was the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus.

Betrothed to Mary, Joseph decided to divorce her quietly when he found she was with child, but an angel of the Lord told him to take her as his wife, since the child was the “Holy One” of God.Joseph was present at Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, and warned by an angel in a dream, he fled with the infant and his mother lest Herod kill the child.They settled at Nazareth, a small town of Galilee. There Joseph, a carpenter, helped to raise the child, sharing the many hours of his trade with his young son.During those uneventful years, the people of Nazareth saw Jesus simply as “the son of Joseph, the carpenter.”As a person of faith, “a just man,” Joseph followed God’s call in the mysterious circumstances surrounding the coming of Jesus. And God entrusted this gentle humble man with the unique privilege of raising his only son as a growing child.Over the centuries Christians have honored Joseph and sought his protection.The novena, a nine day prayer, is a way of praying with perseverance. It is modeled after the nine day period the apostles prayed before Pentecost. Recite the first two prayers for the nine days. Then offer the special prayer for each day.In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Come to my aid, O God. O Lord, make haste to help me.Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of all good gifts, I come before you to honor you in your saints and ask their help in my many needs.You promised those who ask, would receive; those who seek, would find; those who knock, would have the doors opened to them.Hear the prayers of your church, grant my requests, and pardon my sins. Amen.Saint Joseph, just and true, with a father’s care you raised the Child Jesus, and with a husband’s love you shared your life with Mary, his mother.I entrust myself to your care and place in your hands this request of mine...(Bring your requests to God)In quiet Nazareth long ago, the Holy Spirit spoke to your heart and you followed God’s will with wonderful faith.In the quiet of my days, and in the hard choices I must make, help me follow the Spirit’s guidance and believe when I cannot see.(OTher the prayer for the day)

Day 1

O God, guide of those who listen and helper of those who hear your voice, speak to me, as you did to Saint Joseph, and help me accomplish the things you give me to do.

Day 2

O God, you love your people and bless the ordinary lives we quietly live. As you blessed Saint Joseph, bless what I do, however hidden and simple it may be, and let all I do be done with love.

Day 3

O God, ever faithful, you remember us always, and in time reveal your blessings. Help me trust in you, as Saint Joseph faithfully trusted, and never let me lose faith in the wonderful gifts you promise me.

Day 4

God of families, bless the family that’s mine. Keep us safe from harm, and never let evil come between us.Let peace remain in our hearts.

Day 5

O God, who loves children, be kind to our children today. Give them the eyes of faith for seeing far, a loving heart for welcoming life, and a place always at your side.

Day 6

God of our heavenly home, bless our home on earth. Let the spirit of Mary and Joseph rest at our table, shape our words and actions, and bring blessing to our children.

Day 7

God, our Father, give your fatherly spirit to those who are fathers now. Like Joseph, give them hearts of devoted love for their wives and children and strength for forgiveness and patience.

Day 8

Give shelter, O God, to those who need it, and bring together families divided.Give us enough to eat, and decent work to earn our bread.Care for us, O God.

Day 9

Bless all families, O Lord, especially those in need. Remembering the life of your Son, we pray for the poor, for those you lack a good home, for those in exile.Grant them a protector like Joseph, O God.Each day conclude the novena with one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be.

CLOSING PRAYER

(For every day)

Oh custodian and Father of Virgins, St. Joseph, to whose faithful custody the innocence of Christ Jesus and of the Virgin of virgins Mary was entrusted; for these two dear tokens, Jesus and Mary, I pray and beseech thee to obtain for me to be preserved of any impurity and that I may most chastely serve Jesus and Mary with a clean soul, a pure heart and a chaste body. Amen.Jesus, Joseph and Mary, I give you my heart and my soul.Jesus, Joseph and Mary, assist me in my last agony.Jesus, Joseph and Mary, with you may my soul rest in peace.Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.Antiphon.The same Jesus at the beginning of his public life was almost thirty years of age and was thought He was the son of Joseph.V. Saint Joseph, pray for us.R. So we may be made worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.Prayer. Oh God who with ine"able providence you deigned to choose blessed Joseph as the Husband of your Most Holy Mother; grant us that we may venerate him as the protector on earth, and we may merit having him as the protector in heaven.Oh God, who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.