Ite ad Ioseph (Day 2)

“Of old it was said to the needy and suffering people in the kingdom of Egypt: ‘Go to Joseph, and do all that he shall say to you.’ (Gen. 41:55).

The same is now said by the Sovereign Pontiff to all needy and suffering people in the kingdom of the Church: GO TO JOSEPH… What was truly said of the first Joseph, as to his future, and as to his goodness, his chastity, his patience, his wisdom, his influence with the king, his power over the people, and his love for his brethren, is verified much more perfectly, even to this day, in the second JOSEPH.”

—Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (Archbishop of Westminster)

(photo: St. Joseph's altar, Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Easter 2008)

Saint Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all

who love and venerate you. I have special confidence in you.

You are powerful with God and will never abandon your faithful servants.

I humbly invoke you and commend myself, with all who are dear to me,

to your intercession. By the love you have for Jesus and Mary,

do not abandon me during life, and assist me at the hour of my death.

Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the immaculate Virgin,

Foster-father of Jesus Christ, obtain for me a pure, humble,

and charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the Divine Will.

Be my guide, my father, and my model through life

that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ,

I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession

in obtaining from the Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary

for my spiritual and temporal welfare,

particularly the grace of a happy death,

and the special grace I now implore: (mention your request).

Guardian of the Word Incarnate,

I am confident that your prayers in my behalf

will be graciously heard before the throne of God.

MEMORARE

Remember, most pure spouse of Mary,

ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph,

that no one ever had recourse to your protection

or asked for your aid without obtaining relief.

Confiding, therefore, in your goodness,

I come before you and humbly implore you.

Despise not my petitions,foster-father of the Redeemer,

but graciously receive them.

Amen.