Novena [1]
A Novena to St. Joseph.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Saint Joseph, my patron and my advocate, to you do I have recourse that you may obtain for me that grace for which I pray. It may well be that the disappointments and the bitterness in my life may be just punishment for my sins. But even if I should have to recognize my own guilt, need I lose hope in obtaining the help of the Lord? "Oh no," would be the answer of your devoted client, Saint Theresa, "indeed no! All you poor sinners, no matter how great your needs, turn to the powerful help of Saint Joseph! Go to Joseph with sincere confidence and rest assured that your pleas will be heard."
Following the teaching of Saint Theresa therefore, I present myself before your glorious throne, O Holy Saint Joseph and beg for your powerful intercession in my present tribulations.
Bring my petitions before the throne of God, that by your power and mercy I may obtain that which of myself I would not be worthy to receive. And grant that having obtained the favourable answer to my petition, I may return to your altar and there fulfill my devotion of praise and thanksgiving for your intercession.
Our Father; Hail Mary; Glory Be.
Remember, O most merciful foster-father of the Lord Jesus, that no one who has ever had recourse to you was left unaided. Countless are the graces and favours which you have obtained in answer to the prayers addressed to you. The sick, the oppressed, those who suffer injustice, the betrayed, the abandoned, in short, all who have had recourse to your protection were aided in their afflictions. O Holy Joseph, do not leave me to be the only one to be deprived of your help. Shew yourself kindly and generous even to me, so that my prayers of thanksgiving for your mercy may rebound for the greater glory of God.
Our Father; Hail Mary; Glory Be.
Saint Joseph, head of the Holy Family, I venerate you from the profoundest depths of my heart. To the afflicted who have appealed to you before me, you have granted comfort and peace. Console even my own poor afflicted soul. You know all my needs, Saint Joseph, even before I set them before you in prayer. O powerful Saint Joseph, you know how important this petition is for me. I place all my hope in your intercession.
Grant me the answer to the favour for which I so desperately pray and I pledge myself to spread your devotion everywhere and to support, within the limits of my abilities, those charities which, in your name, aid the afflicted and the dying throughout the world.
Saint Joseph, consoler of the afflicted, have mercy on my sorrow.
Our Father; hail Mary; Glory Be.
