During this Year of St. Joseph, Pope Francis is encouraging us to renew our devotion to this great saint. As a prayerful preparation for his Feast, March 19, I invite you to join in praying a novena to St. Joseph from March 10-18. Each day has a special intention which you can find below.
I also invite you to find the Mass schedule for March 19 at your parish and plan to attend Mass that day, either in person or via a livestream celebration. This is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary – and the beginning of the Year of the Family.
Let us be united in our Novena Prayer to St. Joseph as we prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19. Along with your personal intentions, you are invited to focus on these special prayer intentions for each day of the novena.
Here are the intentions for each day, and the Novena Prayer can be found at the bottom of this post.
St. Joseph, Pray for us! Amen
March 10: For a greater openness to God’s will for us, and the courage to follow wherever God may lead
March 11: For the “unsung heroes” who have kept us going during the pandemic, especially health care workers, teachers, and essential workers
March 12: For all who work, and for all who are unemployed or underemployed, that they may be treated with justice and dignity
March 13: For migrants and refugees, forced like the Holy Family to leave their homeland, that they may find safety and welcome
March 14: For our local Church, that we may proclaim the Gospel with integrity, and serve Christ in the poor and the afflicted
March 15: For the dying, that God may grant them the grace of a happy death, and give comfort and peace to their families
March 16: For all who have authority over others—bishops and priests, elected officials, teachers, supervisors, and parents—that, like Joseph, they may be examples of gentleness and fidelity
March 17: For husbands and fathers, that they may learn from St. Joseph to be gentle, loving, faithful, and courageous
March 18: For families, especially families in crisis, that they may draw strength from the example and intercession of St. Joseph and the Holy Family
March 19 – Solemnity of St. Joseph – Beginning of the Year of the Family
Novena Prayer
Make the sign of the Cross
Scripture Verse:
“Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son?” (Matthew 13:54-55)
Leader: Let us pray.
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.
Litany:
Leader: Joseph most just, All: Pray for us.
Joseph most strong, All: Pray for us.
Joseph most faithful, All: Pray for us.
All make the sign of the Cross
Pope Francis, Patris Corde
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