The Litany in honor of Saint Joseph, approved by Pius X in 1909, has been supplemented with seven invocations drawn from statements by the Popes concerning the figure of the patron of the universal Church.
On May 1, the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker and during the Year dedicated to Saint Joseph, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments sent a “Letter to the Presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences concerning new invocations in the Litany in honor of Saint Joseph.” The document, signed by the secretary of the Vatican dicastery, Archbishop Arthur Roche, and the undersecretary, Father Corrado Maggioni, states that “on the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as patron of the universal Church, the Holy Father Francis made known the Apostolic Letter Patris Corde, with the intention of ‘increasing love for this great Saint, so that we may be moved to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his dedication.’ For this reason,” the document continues, “it seemed appropriate to update the Litany in honor of Saint Joseph, approved in 1909 by the Apostolic See, by adding seven invocations drawn from statements by the Popes who have reflected on aspects of the figure of the Patron of the universal Church.”
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The seven invocations
The Congregation drew the new invocations from statements by Paul VI, John Paul II, and Francis.
The new invocations are: Guardian of the Redeemer (Custos Redemptoris), taken from the apostolic exhortation Redemptoris custos of Saint John Paul II; Servant of Christ (Serve Christi), spoken by Saint Paul VI in his homily for the feast of Saint Joseph in 1966, and cited both by John Paul II in Redemptoris custos, no. 8 and by Pope Francis in Patris corde , no. 1; Minister of Salvation (Minister salutis) by Saint John Chrysostom, cited by John Paul II in Redemptoris custos, no. 8; Support in Difficulties (Fulcimen in difficultatibus), used by Pope Francis in the prologue to the apostolic letter Patris corde); finally, Patron of Exiles, the Afflicted, and the Poor (Patrone exsulum, afflictorum, pauperum), also in Patris corde, no. 5.
Episcopal Conferences may add local invocations
These new invocations were presented to the Pope, who approved their inclusion in the Litany of Saint Joseph, as in the complete text attached to the dicastery's letter.
Moreover, «it will be the task of the Conferences of Bishops to arrange for the translation of the Litany into the languages within their competence and to publish them». The translations will not require confirmation from the Apostolic See. The Congregation finally authorizes the Episcopal Conferences to introduce, «according to their prudent judgment, in the appropriate place and while preserving the literary genre, other invocations by which Saint Joseph is particularly honored in their countries».
Litany in honor of Saint Joseph
Let us devoutly recite these Litanies, keeping in mind and in our hearts the words of Saint Teresa of Ávila: «I took the glorious Saint Joseph as my advocate and patron, commending myself greatly to him. I clearly saw that this father and patron of mine rescued me both from that situation and from others more serious in which my honor and the salvation of my soul were at stake, better than I knew how to ask him. To this day, I do not remember ever having asked him for a favor that he did not grant me. It is astonishing to think of the extraordinary graces God has bestowed on me and the dangers, both material and spiritual, from which he has freed me through the intercession of this blessed saint. While it seems that the Lord has granted other saints the power to help us in a single need, I have experienced that the glorious Saint Joseph helps us in all of them. Therefore, the Lord wishes to make us understand that just as he was subject to Joseph on earth - where Saint Joseph, who stood in the place of a father and had custody of him, could give him orders - so in heaven he does whatever Joseph asks of him. Other people to whom I told them to commend themselves to him have also confirmed this through experience, and many have now become devoted to him after experiencing this truth.
I would like to persuade everyone to be devoted to this glorious saint, because of the great experience of the benefits he obtains from God. I have never known anyone who was sincerely devoted to him and rendered him particular services without seeing that person make greater progress in virtue, because he greatly helps the souls who commend themselves to him. For several years now, it seems to me, on the day of his feast I have always asked him for something, and I have always found myself answered.
I only ask, for the love of God, that anyone who does not believe me put it to the test, and will discover through experience how beneficial it is to commend oneself to this glorious patriarch and to be devoted to him» (From the Book of Life, chapter 6).
Litany in honor of Saint Joseph with the new invocations
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, graciously hear us Christ, graciously hear us
Christ, hear us Christ, hear us
Father in heaven, who are God have mercy on us
Son, Redeemer of the world, who are God have mercy on us
Holy Spirit, who are God have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God have mercy on us
Holy Mary pray for us
Saint Joseph pray for us
Glorious descendant of David pray for us
Splendor of the Patriarchs pray for us
Spouse of the Mother of God pray for us
Guardian of the Redeemer pray for us
Most pure guardian of the Virgin pray for us
You who nourished the Son of God pray for us
Diligent defender of Christ pray for us
Servant of Christ pray for us
Minister of salvation pray for us
Head of the Holy Family pray for us
Most just Joseph pray for us
Most chaste Joseph pray for us
Most prudent Joseph pray for us
Most valiant Joseph pray for us
Most obedient Joseph pray for us
Most faithful Joseph pray for us
Mirror of patience pray for us
Lover of poverty pray for us
Model of workers pray for us
Adornment of domestic life pray for us
Guardian of virgins pray for us
Support of families pray for us
Support in difficulties pray for us
Comfort of the wretched pray for us
Hope of the sick pray for us
Patron of exiles pray for us
Patron of the afflicted pray for us
Patron of the poor pray for us
Patron of the dying pray for us
Terror of demons pray for us
Protector of the Holy Church pray for us
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, forgive us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
V. He made him master of his household.
R. And prince over all his possessions.
Let us pray
O God, who in your ineffable providence deigned to choose blessed Joseph as the spouse of your most holy Mother, grant that, venerating him as our protector on earth, we may merit to have him as our intercessor in heaven. You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
