top of page

Feast of St Joseph

Writer's picture: Matthew BradburyMatthew Bradbury

From the Religious Education Coordinator


“Speak Lord, for your servant is listening”


This week we not only celebrate the famous St Patrick’s Day, we also celebrate the Feast of St Joseph on Friday 19th March. In 2021 this special feast of the Church is even more important since we are in the Year of St Joseph as declared by Pope Francis late last year. Having attended a Patrician Brothers school as a boy, St Patrick has always been one of my favourite saints. His story is that of legend and will always be remembered fondly by our Irish brothers and sisters. It is fitting that we should celebrate the feasts of two giants of the Church in one week.


I also could not help but find it somewhat ironic that St Joseph’s day should fall somewhat in the shadow of another big religious holiday. St Joseph’s habit of existing in the background was one of the intriguing qualities that made choose him as my own Confirmation saint. Despite being the head of the Holy Family and taking on the important role of foster father to Jesus Christ, he so often assumes a rather quiet role in our faith. St Joseph speaks no words of his own in any of the Gospels and completely disappears after Jesus comes of age. We are left assuming that he passed away somewhere between Jesus getting lost in the Temple and the crucifixion. Despite his lack of speaking lines, St Joseph’s presence is still pivotal to the story of Jesus. Joseph’s acceptance of Mary and Jesus allowed the nativity story to happen and perhaps even more noteworthy, it was Joseph’s naming of Jesus that allowed the Old Testament prophecy to become fulfilled through the House of David. Joseph achieved so much with very little fanfare. He is a perfect example of fatherhood and for 150 years has been the patron saint of the Catholic Church. Joseph as head of the Holy Family protects not only Jesus and Mary, but our Catholic Church today.


To continue celebrating the Year of St Joseph, I encourage you to consider completing the 33 day Consecration to St Joseph or simply by praying the Litany to St Joseph which has been included below. May St Joseph continue to guide and protect us.


Mr Matthew Bradbury

Religious Education Coordinator



Litany of St. Joseph


Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.


God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.


Holy Mary, pray for us.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Illustrious son of David, pray for us.

Light of patriarchs, pray for us.

Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.

Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.

Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us.

Watchful defender of Christ, pray for us.

Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.


Joseph most just, pray for us.

Joseph most chaste, pray for us.

Joseph most prudent, pray for us.

Joseph most valiant, pray for us.

Joseph most obedient, pray for us.

Joseph most faithful, pray for us.

Mirror of patience, pray for us.

Lover of poverty, pray for us.

Model of workmen, pray for us.

Glory of home life, pray for us.

Guardian of virgins, pray for us.

Pillar of families, pray for us.

Solace of the afflicted, pray for us.

Hope of the sick, pray for us.

Patron of the dying, pray for us.

Terror of demons, pray for us.

Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.


Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,

Spare us, O Lord!

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,

Graciously hear us, O Lord!

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us!


V. He made him the lord of His household,

R. And prince over all His possessions.


Let Us Pray:

O God, Who in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.


1 view0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

From the REC

As we continue to make our way through Lent, the students and staff of Good Samaritan have embraced the challenges of prayer, fasting,...

Comments


© 2024 by Matthew Bradbury. Proudly created for Good Samaritan Catholic College

bottom of page