May 1: ST. JOSEPH, THE WORKMAN

May 1: ST. JOSEPH, THE WORKMAN

Rank: Double of the I Class.

 The Feast of St. Joseph, the Workman, was instituted by Pope Pius XII, in 1955, to be celebrated on May 1, suppressing the "Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary" that had been celebrated on the second Wednesday after the Octave of Easter. The feast of Saints Philip and James Apostles, which was celebrated on May 1 since the sixth century, was moved from thence to May 11.

PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interest and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.

THE LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Jesus hear us: Jesus graciously hear us.

God the Father, Creator of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of mankind, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Immaculate Virgin, Pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, Pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, Pray for us.

St. Joseph, virgin spouse of a Virgin Mother, Protect us.
Protector of the Infant Jesus, Protect us.
Protector of Mary, thy chaste spouse, Protect us.
Protector of St. Teresa, Protect us.
Protector of virgins, Protect us.
Protector of those devoted to thy service, Protect us.
Protector of all faithful Christians, Protect us.
Protector of the afflicted, Protect us.
Protector of humble and penitent sinners, Protect us.
Protector of the Catholic Church, Protect us.
Who wert the protector of Jesus yet unborn, Protect us.
Who wert the protector of Jesus in the stable of Bethlehem, Protect us.
Who wert the protector of Jesus, delivering him from the tyranny of Herod, Protect us.
Who wert the protector of Jesus, assisting him in his necessities, and providing him with food, Protect us.
Who wert the protector of Mary, thy spouse, and her most faithful companion, Protect us.
Who wert the protector and guardian of the virginity of Mary, Protect us.
Protector of all thy devout clients, Protect us.
Our good father, patron, and protector, Protect us.
Our spiritual protector, Protect us.
Our guardian protector, Protect us.
Our providential protector, Protect us.

O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us for the love of him who carried and fed Thee.

O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Hear us for the love of him who clothed and lodged Thee.

O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us for the love of him who protected and guarded Thee from the cruelty of Herod.

Pray for us, St. Joseph, our protector, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O God, who by thine ineffable providence hast chosen St. Joseph to be the spouse of the ever-blessed Virgin, grant us grace to have him for our intercessor in heaven, whom we honour upon earth as our faithful advocate and protector, who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

O good St. Joseph, protect us, protect the holy Church.

Taken from: The Manual of the Sacred Heart, 1866

MEMORARE TO ST. JOSEPH

Remember, most pure spouse of the blessed Virgin Mary, my amiable protector St. Joseph, that it is unheard of that any one ever had recourse to thy protection, and implored thy help, without receiving consolation. Full of this confidence in thy power, I come before thee and recommend myself to thee with fervour. Ah! despise not my prayer, O dear foster-father of our Redeemer, but graciously hear and obtain my request. Amen.

(300 days indulgence granted by Pope Pius IX, 26th June 1863, applicable to the dead.)

Taken from: The Manual of the Sacred Heart, 1866

Pray for us Oh St. Joseph, the Workman;
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ!