love for You, * and for all their brothers and sis- ters in the Church. Assist all
fathers of fami- lies, * all spiritual fathers, * and all Christian men * so that through
...
love for You, * and for all their brothers and sisters in the Church. Assist all fathers of families, * all spiritual fathers, * and all Christian men * so that through Your Grace * they may steadily grow in holiness * and in knowledge and understanding of Your Truth. May they generously and lovingly impart this knowledge * to those who rely on them for guidance and protection. May they receive Your Grace abundantly in this earthly life, * and look forward to eternal joy in Your presence in the life to come. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Novena Prayers In Honor of
St. Joseph C St. Mary Church Salem, So. Dakota
All: O good father St. Joseph! We beg you, * by all your joys, sorrows and sufferings, * to obtain for us what we ask: (Call to mind your personal intentions)
Leader: Pray for us, O Blessed Joseph: All: That we may be made worthy of the
promises of Christ Leader: Let us pray. O God, Who by Your in-
effable providence did choose St. Joseph to be the foster-father of Your only begotten Son and the spouse of His most holy Mother, grant, we beseech You, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven, Who lives and reigns forever and ever. All: Amen.
All: Obtain for all those who have asked our prayers * everything that is useful to them in the plan of God. Be near to us in our last moments * that we may eternally sing the praises of the Most Holy Trinity: * Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Leader: O St. Joseph, whose protection is so
great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God: All: We place in you all our interests and de-
sires. O St. Joseph, do assist us by your powerful intercession * and obtain for us from your Divine foster-Son, Jesus Christ * all of the spiritual blessings we need, * so that having asked
your heavenly intercession here below * we may offer our thanksgiving and homage to Almighty God * the most loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, we never weary contemplating you and Jesus * asleep in your arms; * we dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in our name and kiss His fine head for us, * and ask Him to return the Kiss * when each of us draws our dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, * pray for us. Amen. Leader: Let us pray for all Christian families: All: Good St. Joseph, your help is needed in
our day * when God's enemy has directed his attack against the family * in order to desecrate and destroy it. In the face of these evils, * as Patron of families, be pleased to help; * and as of old, * when you arose to save the Child Jesus and His Mother, * so today arise to protect the sanctity of the Christian home. * Make our homes sanctuaries of prayer, * of love and forgiveness, * of patient sacrifice and dedicated work. May our homes be modeled after your own at Nazareth. With Jesus and Mary, * come to our homes and remain with our families, * so that by your help * we may obey the comm-
andments of God and of the Church; * receive the holy Sacraments; * live a life of prayer; * and foster religious instruction in our homes. Grant that we may be reunited in God's Kingdom * and live eternally in the heavenly homeland God has prepared * for those who love and serve Him on earth. Amen. Leader: Let us pray to the Eternal Father for all fathers: All: Most gracious Heavenly Father, * we
thank You for our earthly fathers, * those to whom You have entrusted the responsibility * of providing loving protection to their families * and guidance to their children. We thank You also for our Holy Father in Rome, all bishops and priests, * whose spiritual fatherhood is so vital to the faith of Your people. May our earthly fathers imitate the manly courage of St. Joseph, * whom You chose to be the foster-father of Your Divine Son, * and all the venerable fathers of the old covenant * in providing wise counsel to the children entrusted to them. May our spiritual fathers be guided by the examples of Saints Peter and Paul, * and all the Apostles. Give them valiant faith in the face of confusion and conflict, * hope in time of trouble and sorrow * steadfast
