To the foster father of Jesus and patron of the Universal Church.

St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus and spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is one of the most powerful intercessors in the Catholic Church. Pope Pius IX declared him Patron of the Universal Church in 1870. Pope Francis consecrated the world to St. Joseph in 2020 and dedicated a Year of St. Joseph (2020–2021) in his honour.

The Prayer

O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong,
so prompt before the throne of God,
I place in thee all my interests and desires.
O St. Joseph, do assist me by thy powerful intercession,
and obtain for me from thy Divine Son
all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
So that, having engaged here below thy heavenly power,
I may offer my thanksgiving and homage
to the most loving of Fathers.
O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating thee,
and Jesus asleep in thine arms.
St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us.
Amen.

About This Prayer

St. Joseph’s greatness comes from his vocation: he was chosen by God to be the protector of His Son and the guardian of the Holy Family. He is patron of workers, fathers, the dying (because he died in the arms of Jesus and Mary), and the Universal Church. His feast day is March 19, with an additional feast of St. Joseph the Worker on May 1.