Novena to Saint Joseph

Prayer of Saint Joseph

By Pope Francis

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,

Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

To you God entrusted his only Son;

In you Mary placed her trust; 

With you Christ became man.  

Blessed Joseph, to us too, 

Show yourself a father and

Guide us in the path of life.  

Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, 

And defend us from every evil.

Amen.

Pray daily from April 22 to May 1.

FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER. MAY 1

A father who teaches the value, dignity and joy of work

“A carpenter who earned an honest living to provide for his family,” St Joseph also teaches us “the value, the dignity and the joy of what it means to eat bread that is the fruit of one’s own labour.” This aspect of Joseph’s character provides Pope Francis the opportunity to launch an appeal in favor of work, which has become “a burning social issue” even in countries with a certain level of well-being. “There is a renewed need to appreciate the importance of dignified work, of which Saint Joseph is an exemplary patron,” the Pope writes.

Work, he says, “is a means of participating in the work of salvation, an opportunity to hasten the coming of the Kingdom, to develop our talents and abilities, and to put them at the service of society and fraternal communion.” Those who work, he explains, “are cooperating with God himself, and in some way become creators of the world around us.” Pope Francis encourages everyone “to rediscover the value, the importance and the necessity of work for bringing about a new ‘normal’ from which no one is excluded.” Especially in light of rising unemployment due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Pope calls everyone to “review our priorities” and to express our firm conviction that no young person, no person at all, no family should be without work!” (6).