NOVENA to ST JOSEPH, THE WORKER – DAY ONE – 22 APRIL

NOVENA to ST JOSEPH, THE WORKER

The Liturgical Memorial of St Joseph, the Worker (1 May) was established by Venerable Pope Pius XII (d.1958), to highlight the importance of work and of the presence of Christ and the Church in the working world.   It provides an occasion to reflect on – and witness to – the “Gospel of Work.”   In a particular way St Joseph, the carpenter of Nazareth, stands as Patron of all workers and craftsmen, revered as a singular model.   St John Paul, in his encyclical on human work, encourages us to live with the awareness that “work is a participation in God’s activity” – an awareness that “ought to permeate….even the most ordinary everyday activities.”   By our labour and personal industry, we “are unfolding he Creator’s work…..and contributing to the realisation in history of the Divine plan.”

Let us pray:

~~This image is by Pietro Annigoni (1910-1988)~~

DAY ONE

Glorious St Joseph,
in your diligent daily labour,
you provided for the household
of the Holy Family.
Patron of all workers,
you model how work is a
participation in God’s own activity.
Our Lord Jesus Christ declared:
“My food is to do the will of him
who sent me and to accomplish his work.”
I pray for the sanctification of all human labour.
Through it, God never ceases to perfect
and govern the immense work of creation.
St Joseph, by your intercession,
protect the rights of all workers.
Enable all to find work that befits their dignity.
Do not let those who are unemployed become
discourage but aid them in obtainng fitting work.
United in your powerful help and intercession,
I offer you my own intentions……
(make your intention)
I pray you, dear St Joseph, through our Lord,
Jesus Christ, your dearly beloved foster Son,
in union with the Holy Spirit.
Amen