# Novena to St. Joseph
*2008-03-13*

> Bill Young leads a novena to St. Joseph during the month of March, offering prayers for those in need and reflecting on the Lenten journey.

## Introduction and Intentions

Welcome to the 49th episode of Catholic Podcast Ministries' Prayer and Lunch. The month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph, and this Saturday, March 15th, is a National Day of Prayer for St. Joseph. Before we begin the novena, I would like to dedicate these prayers to my friend John, who is going into surgery tomorrow. We hope everything goes well and that the doctors find everything they need to find.

## Opening Prayers and the Apostles' Creed

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. O God, come to my aid; O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

## Supplication to St. Joseph

O Saint Joseph, my patron and my advocate, I come to you so that I may obtain the grace for which I earnestly ask. Even though I am a sinner, must I lose hope in attaining the help of the Lord? No, indeed, would be the answer of your devoted St. Teresa. All poor sinners, in any need however great, should turn to the effective intercession of St. Joseph, the Patriarch. Abandon your needs to him in true faith, and all your requests will surely be granted.

Therefore, I come to your glorious throne, imploring your goodness. O St. Joseph, assist me in my tribulation. Make up for my weaknesses, and grant that, having obtained the grace I ask through your holy and powerful intercession, I may return to your altar to offer my humble act of thanksgiving.

## Confidence in His Intercession

Do not forget, O merciful St. Joseph, that no one has ever come to you and been disappointed in the hope they placed in you. Countless are the graces and favors you have obtained for the afflicted, the sick, the oppressed, the slandered, the betrayed, and the abandoned souls who have recurred to your royal protection. O St. Joseph, do not allow me to be the only one deprived of your comfort. Show your goodness and generosity to me, a poor sinner, so that I may thank you and exult in the goodness and mercy of the Lord.

O St. Joseph, head of the Holy Family, I venerate you profoundly. You have always granted comfort and graces to the afflicted souls who have prayed to you. In your mercy, I entrust my soul to you. Most wise saint, with God's help, you see all my necessities. I place all my hope in your intercession. If you grant me the grace I ask with such insistence, I will strive to spread devotion to you everywhere and sustain the works which, in your name, bring relief to the suffering and dying throughout the world.

## Prayers to the Holy Trinity

Eternal Divine Father, through your love for St. Joseph, chosen among all people to represent you on earth, have mercy on me.

Eternal Divine Son, through your love for St. Joseph, your most faithful guardian on earth, have mercy on me.

Eternal Divine Spirit, through your love for St. Joseph, who with infinite care watched over Mary, most holy, your beloved spouse, have mercy on me.

## Final Petitions and Lenten Reflection

O most gracious spouse of Mary and virginal Father of Jesus, for the sake of the treasures of your perfect obedience to God, have mercy on me. For the sake of a life full of merits, hear my prayers. For the sake of your most powerful name, come to my aid. For the sake of your most merciful heart, graciously hear me. For the sake of your most holy tears, have mercy on my weeping. For the sake of your great sorrows, have mercy on me in my suffering. For the sake of your great joys, comfort my heart.

O St. Joseph, hear me. O St. Joseph, graciously hear me. O St. Joseph, have mercy on me. Deliver my body and soul from all evil. Come to my aid with your holy protection, and in your power and mercy, obtain from the Lord all that is necessary for me, and in particular, the grace that I need.

As we continue on our Lenten journey together: O Lord, as I make my Lenten journey with you, send me your Spirit. Help me to give of myself. Help me to turn away from sin. Help me to fast and pray so that I may know you better. Let me be renewed through my journey to share your grace with the world. Amen.

*Through the powerful intercession of St. Joseph and a committed Lenten journey of prayer and fasting, we can find comfort in our tribulations and be renewed in God's grace.*