This prayer to Saint Joseph—spouse of the Virgin Mary, foster father of Jesus, and patron saint of the universal Church—was composed by Pope Leo XIII in his 1889 encyclical, Quamquam pluries. He asked that it be added to the end of the Rosary, especially during the month of October, which is dedicated to the Rosary. It may be said after the customary Salve Regina and concluding prayer, and may also be used to conclude other Marian devotions.
The prayer is ordinarily enriched with a partial indulgence (Handbook of Indulgences, conc. 19). During the Year of Saint Joseph, however—which lasts from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021—the use of this prayer has been included among those enriched with a plenary indulgence (see Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary issued Dec. 8, 2020, section E). It may be said on any day of the Year of Saint Joseph, but especially on his various feast days or other devotional days dedicated to St. Joseph:
To you, O blessed Joseph,
do we come in our tribulation,
and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse,
we confidently invoke your patronage also.
Through that charity which bound you
to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God
and through the paternal love
with which you embraced the Child Jesus,
we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance
which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood,
and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.
O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family,
defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ;
O most loving father, ward off from us
every contagion of error and corrupting influence;
O our most mighty protector, be kind to us
and from heaven assist us in our struggle
with the power of darkness.
As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril,
so now protect God's Holy Church
from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity;
shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection,
so that, supported by your example and your aid,
we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness,
and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven.
Amen.
https://www.usccb.org/prayer-This litany is ordinarily enriched with a partial indulgence (Manual of Indulgences, conc. 22). During the Year of Saint Joseph, however—which lasts from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021—the use of the Litany of Saint Joseph has been included among other prayers to St. Joseph enriched with a plenary indulgence (see Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary issued Dec. 8, 2020, section E), which may be earned once a day subject to the usual conditions: sacramental confession, reception of Holy Communion, prayer for the intentions of the Pope, and a total detachment to all sin, including venial sin.
Lord, have mercy. |
Lord, have mercy. |
Christ, have mercy. |
Christ, have mercy. |
Lord, have mercy. |
Lord, have mercy. |
God our Father in heaven, |
have mercy on us. |
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, |
have mercy on us. |
God the Holy Spirit, |
have mercy on us. |
Holy Trinity, one God, |
have mercy on us. |
Holy Mary, |
pray for us. |
Saint Joseph, |
pray for us. |
Noble son of the House of David, |
pray for us. |
Light of patriarchs, |
pray for us. |
Husband of the Mother of God, |
pray for us. |
Guardian of the Virgin, |
pray for us. |
Foster father of the Son of God, |
pray for us. |
Faithful guardian of Christ, |
pray for us. |
Head of the Holy Family, |
pray for us. |
Joseph, chaste and just, |
pray for us. |
Joseph, prudent and brave, |
pray for us. |
Joseph, obedient and loyal, |
pray for us. |
Pattern of patience, |
pray for us. |
Lover of poverty, |
pray for us. |
Model of workers, |
pray for us. |
Example to parents, |
pray for us. |
Guardian of virgins, |
pray for us. |
Pillar of family life, |
pray for us. |
Comfort of the troubled, |
pray for us. |
Hope of the sick, |
pray for us. |
Patron of the dying, |
pray for us. |
Terror of evil spirits, |
pray for us. |
Protector of the Church, |
pray for us. |
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, |
have mercy on us. |
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, |
have mercy on us. |
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, |
have mercy on us. |
God made him master of his household, |
And put him in charge of all that he owned. |
Let us pray.
O God, who in your inexpressible providence
were pleased to choose Saint Joseph
as spouse of the most holy Mother of your Son,
grant, we pray,
that we, who revere him as our protector on earth,
may be worthy of his heavenly intercession.
Through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.