The Feast of St. Joseph the Worker is May 1. A relatively new feast in the liturgical calendar, it was introduced in 1955 by Pope Pius XII. This special day and novena commemorate St. Joseph as someone who most gracefully integrated spiritual life with his daily, laborious life as a father, husband, and worker.
The patron saint of the Church and guardian of the Holy Family, Joseph is a beautiful example for us to follow God’s purpose despite what the world might say or what little recognition we might get for doing so.
Pray this novena to St. Joseph the Worker for nine days, culminating on May 1 (Feast of St. Joseph the Worker) or March 19 (Solemnity of Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin). We can pray this novena to ask for Joseph’s special care over a particular intention such as help in an area of our lives needing discernment.
Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble.
Pope Francis
St. Joseph the Worker Novena
Time needed: 5 minutes
- Make the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
- Recite the novena.
Joseph, by the work of your hands and the sweat of your brow, you supported Jesus and Mary, and had the Son of God as your fellow worker.
Teach me to work as you did, with patience and perseverance, for God and for those whom God has given me to support.
Teach me to see in my fellow workers the Christ who desires to be in them, that I may always be charitable and forbearing towards all.
Grant me to look upon work with the eyes of faith, so that I shall recognize in it my share in God’s own creative activity and in Christ’s work of our redemption, and so take pride in it.
When it is pleasant and productive, remind me to give thanks to God for it. And when it is burdensome, teach me to offer it to God, in reparation for my sins and the sins of the world.
O good father Joseph! I beg you, by all your sufferings, sorrows and joys, to obtain for me what I now ask. Obtain for all those who have asked my prayers, everything that is useful to them in the plan of God. Be near to me in my last moments that I may eternally sing the praises of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Amen. - Pray an Our Father.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
- Hail Mary
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
- Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
- Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Other Prayers and Novenas