Night Prayer Novena to Saint Joseph
A: Let us praise Christ the Lord, as we celebrate the memory of Saint Joseph.
A: Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit
B: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever, Amen.
A: At the close of the day, let us call to mind our sins and Christ’s mercy.
(Pause)
A: Almighty God, have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
B: Amen.
In Praise of Saint Joseph (to simpler tune of Tantum Ergo Sacramentum)
Joseph, patron saint of
workers,
blending skill with charity,
silent carpenter, we praise you!
Joining work with honesty,
you taught Christ with joy to labor,
sharing his nobility.
Joseph, close to Christ and
Mary,
lived with them in poverty,
shared with them their home and labor,
worked with noble dignity.
May we seek God’s will as you did,
leader of his family!
Joseph, inspiration for
workers,
man of faith and charity,
make us honest, humble, faithful,
strong with Christ’s true liberty,
Make our labor and our leisure
fruitful to eternity!
Prayer for Work
A: Glorious Saint Joseph, you are the pattern of all who work. Obtain for us, please, the grace to work conscientiously and to put devotion to duty before my selfish inclinations. Help me to labor in thankfulness and joy, for it is an honor to employ and to develop by my labor the gifts I have received from almighty God. Grant that I may work in orderliness, peace, moderation and patience without shrinking from weariness and difficulties.
B: I offer my fatigue and perplexities as reparation for sin. I shall work, above all, with a pure intention and with detachment from self, having always before my eyes the hour of death and the accounting which I must then render of time ill-spent, of talents unemployed, of good undone, and of empty pride in success, which is so fatal to the work of God. For Jesus through Mary, all in imitation of you, good St. Joseph. This shall be my motto in life and in death.
Both: Amen.
Word of God
A: A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians (3:23-24)
A: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord, and not for yourselves. Remember that the Lord will reward you; you will receive what he has kept for his people. For Christ is the real master you serve.
(Pause)
A: The just shall blossom like lilies.
B: The just shall blossom like lilies.
A: They shall flourish forever in the courts of our God
B: The just shall blossom like lilies.
A: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
B: The just shall blossom like lilies.
Intercessory Prayers
A: The Lord is the giver of holiness. Let us turn to him and pray:
B: Holy God, raise us up to new life in holiness.
Both: God our Father, graciously hear us
A: Lord our God, you called our ancestors in faith to walk before you in holiness of heart.
B: May we follow in their footsteps, and obey your command to be perfect.
Both: God our Father, graciously hear us
A: You chose Joseph the righteous to care for your Son in childhood and youth.
B: Teach us to care for Christ’s body by caring for our brothers and sisters.
Both: God our Father, graciously hear us
A: You entrusted the earth to humankind, to people it and make it prosper.
B; Inspire us to work wholeheartedly in this world, seeking always to give you glory.
Both: God our Father, graciously hear us
A: Father of all humankind, do not forget what your hands have made.
B: Grant that all who work may have secure employment and a fitting standard of living.
Both: God our Father, graciously hear us
Novena Prayer
Both:
O glorious Saint Joseph,
faithful follower of Jesus Christ,
we implore your powerful intercession
in obtaining from the merciful heart of Jesus
all the helps and graces necessary
for our spiritual and temporal welfare,
particularly for the grace of a happy death
and the special favor we now request...
(State your requests here.)
O guardian of the Word Incarnate,
we have confidence that your prayers
in our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.
Amen.
Closing Prayer for the Spirit of Work
A: God our Father, Creator and Ruler of the universe, in every age you call us to use and develop our gifts for the good of others. With St. Joseph as our guide, help us to do the work you have asked and come to the rewards you have promised. Please grant this through Christ our Lord.
B: Amen.
Final Blessing
A: May almighty God bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
B: Amen
