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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

St. Joseph the Worker

Today is the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, celebrating the man who worked so hard and so well to provide for the Holy Family.
I am going to pray the following novena in celebration, and for the petition of doing the work before me with the spirit of St. Joseph, as well as for God's guidance in discerning the work of my future.  A novena is just a fancy name for nine days of intentional prayer for a specific topic.  It actually doesn't even have to be nine days.  It could be fifty four.  But it is is still called a Novena.  Feel free to join me if you like.

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.

Novena Prayer

O good father Joseph! I beg you, by all your sufferings, sorrows and joys, to obtain for me what I ask.

(Here name your petition).

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.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)

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