Ite ad Ioseph! Go to Joseph!
I started reading more about St. Joseph in high school after I read St. Josemaría Escriva’s homily from the Feast of St. Joseph on March 19, 1963. The mere fact that his homily was titled “In St. Joseph’s Workshop” was enough to capture my attention given my interest in woodworking and wood sculpture.
St. Josemaría earnestly recommends devotion to St. Joseph. He writes that
“As you get to know him, you discover that the holy patriarch is also a master of the interior life — for he teaches us to know Jesus and share our life with him, and to realize that we are part of God’s family.”
I’ve experienced St. Joseph’s guidance myself in praying for his intercession during the many challenges and successes of my life. Out of my personal devotion to him, I designed this paper-pieced panel of St. Joseph, depicting him holding a drafting square and lily. May he bless you as much as he’s blessed me!
Litany of St. Joseph
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
have mercy on us.
have mercy on us.
have mercy on us.
have mercy on us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
spare us, O Lord.
hear us, O Lord.
have mercy on us.
and ruler of all his possessions.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father in heaven,
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Holy Mary,
Saint Joseph,
Illustrious son of David,
Light of Patriarchs,
Spouse of the Mother of God,
Guardian of the Redeemer,
Pure Guardian of the Virgin,
Provider for the Son of God,
Zealous defender of Christ,
Servant of Christ,
Minister of salvation,
Head of the Holy Family,
Joseph, most just,
Joseph, most chaste,
Joseph, most prudent,
Joseph, most brave,
Joseph, most obedient,
Joseph, most loyal,
Mirror of patience,
Lover of poverty,
Model for workers,
Glory of family life,
Guardian of virgins,
Cornerstone of families,
Support in difficulties,
Comfort of the sorrowing,
Hope of the sick,
Patron of exiles,
Patron of the afflicted,
Patron of the poor,
Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons,
Protector of the Holy Church,
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
He made him master of his house,
Let us pray.
O God, who in your inexpressible providence were pleased to choose Saint Joseph
as spouse of your most holy Mother, grant, we pray, that we, who revere him as our protector on earth,
may be worthy of his heavenly intercession.
Who live and reign for ever and ever.
Amen.
