Approved for public recitation

The titles of the man who raised the Son of God.

Approved by St. Pius X in 1909, this litany names Joseph by what he did rather than what he said — the Gospels record no word of his. In 2021, at the close of the Year of St. Joseph, Pope Francis added seven new invocations, including Guardian of the Redeemer and Support in Difficulty.

The Litany

Lord, have mercy. — Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. — Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. — Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. — Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of heaven, — have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, — have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, — have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, — have mercy on us.

To each of the following invocations, respond: pray for us.

Holy Mary,
Saint Joseph,
Renowned offspring of David,
Light of Patriarchs,
Spouse of the Mother of God,
Guardian of the Redeemer,
Chaste guardian of the Virgin,
Foster father of the Son of God,
Diligent protector of Christ,
Servant of Christ,
Minister of salvation,
Head of the Holy Family,
Joseph most just,
Joseph most chaste,
Joseph most prudent,
Joseph most strong,
Joseph most obedient,
Joseph most faithful,
Mirror of patience,
Lover of poverty,
Model of workmen,
Glory of home life,
Guardian of virgins,
Pillar of families,
Support in difficulty,
Solace of the wretched,
Hope of the sick,
Patron of the exiled,
Patron of the afflicted,
Patron of the poor,
Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons,
Protector of Holy Church.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, — spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, — graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, — have mercy on us.

V. He made him the lord of His household.
R. And prince over all His possessions.

The Closing Prayer

O God, who in Your ineffable providence
were pleased to choose blessed Joseph
to be the spouse of Your most holy Mother,
grant, we beg You,
that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven
whom on earth we venerate as our protector.
You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

About This Litany

Note the range of those he is asked to protect: the exiled, the afflicted, the poor, the dying, the sick. Joseph fled to Egypt with a price on the child’s head; the Church has never forgotten that the guardian of the Holy Family was once a refugee.