PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH
Prescribed by HH. Pope Leo XIII for the month of October, after the recitation of the Rosary.
(Found on page 57 of the Angelus Press 1962 Missal)
To thee, O blessed Joseph,
do we have recourse in our tribulation,
and having implored the help
of thy thrice-holy Spouse,
we confidently invoke thy patronage also.
By that charity wherewith thou wast united
to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God,
and by that fatherly affection with which thou
didst embrace the Child Jesus,
we beseech thee and we humbly pray,
that thou wouldst look graciously
upon the inheritance which Jesus Christ
hath purchased by His Blood,
and assist us in our needs by thy power and strength.
Most watchful Guardian of the Holy Family,
protect the chosen people of Jesus Christ;
keep far from us, most loving father,
all blight of error and corruption:
mercifully assist us from heaven,
most mighty defender,
in this our conflict with the powers of darkness;
and, even as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus
from the supreme peril of His life,
so now defend God’s Holy Church
from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity;
keep us one and all under thy continual protection,
that we may be supported by thine example
and thine assistance,
may be enabled to lead a holy life,
die a happy death and come at last
to the possession of everlasting blessedness in heaven.
Amen.