Prayer to St. Joseph
This is commonly known as the “Prayer to St. Joseph for Protection” or the “Prayer to St. Joseph Over the Dying.” This beautiful and tender prayer highlights St. Joseph’s exceptional role as protector, intercessor, and spiritual father. It calls upon his unfailing aid and powerful intercession before God for spiritual blessings and guidance. The imagery of St. Joseph holding the Christ Child adds a deeply personal and comforting element, emphasizing the saint’s loving and gentle nature. The prayer concludes with a poignant invocation to St. Joseph, the patron of a happy death, asking for his presence and prayers at life’s end. It is a heartfelt reminder of trust and confidence in his compassionate care.
Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so prompt, so strong,
before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests 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.
Amen.
