Pray Novena to St. Joseph with Franciscan Sisters

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity have been praying our own Novena to St. Joseph for a long time. It is found in our traditional Manual of Prayer. Where it originated it is difficult to trace. It’s words speak to today in real ways. We share it with you during this year devoted to Jesus’ human foster father. Although it is less than nine days before the feast, it is timely at any moment this year.

Novena to St. Joseph

Leader: Behold the servant, faithful and wise, whom the Lord has placed over His family. (Mt, 24:25)

All: Help us, Joseph, in our earthly strife; always to lead a pure and blameless life.

Leader: Let us pray…

All: O blessed Joseph, we turn in our need, and having implored the help of your spouse we now, with hearts full of confidence, earnestly beg you also to be our strong protector.

By that same charity, which united you to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and by that fatherly love with which you did cherish the Child Jesus, we beseech and we humbly pray that you will look down upon us, whom Jesus Christ purchased by His blood, and will help us in our need by your power and strength.

Defend, O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen offspring of Jesus Christ.

Keep from us, O most loving Father, all blight of error and corruption.

Aid us from on high, most valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers of darkness.

And even as of old you rescued the Child Jesus from the peril of His life, so now defend God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity.

Shield us ever under your patronage that, imitating your example and strengthened by your help, we may live and die in holiness, and obtain everlasting happiness in heaven. Amen.