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A novena consists of nine (9) moments of prayer. It can be prayed daily, weekly, or
hourly. A person can pray a novena for a specific reason/cause if there is something
he/she specifically needs, or the petition can be generic.
There is no “right” way or only one way of doing a novena. It does not have to be done at
daily Mass or at Church. When possible, appeal to all of the senses when you pray the
novena. You can have pictures and music or light a candle in the prayer space. You may
like incense and bring to the space your own photos and statue. Car time on the way to
work is also an excellent opportunity to do a novena. The prayer can be done out loud
or internally. It can be done with a group or ideally with the family. If the group wants
to pray together and cannot meet in person they can do a virtual prayer time or just set
select time that all will do.
This is a petition novena to St. Joseph, one of the patron saints of the Archdiocese of
San Francisco. We ask St. Joseph’s intercession for our needs and the needs of the
world. Pope Francis, in Patris Corde, invites us to honor, celebrate and pray to St.
Joseph especially this year--from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021. This is the
150th anniversary of the Proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal
Church.
“Would that I could persuade all men to be devout to this glorious saint,” wrote St. Teresa of Avila
in her autobiography, “for I know by long experience what blessings he can obtain.”
Year of St. Joseph Novena
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St. Joseph mosaic, Church of the Holy Family, Linz, Upper Austria. Photo by Wolfgang Sauber
Who is St. Joseph? Click link below to find out more about this saint our Church is
honoring and celebrating this year.
Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish
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Pope Francis and his devotion to St. Joseph
Pope Francis already had a connection with St. Joseph
when he was living in Argentina. It was in the church of
St. Joseph in Buenos Aires where, in 1953, the 17-year-
old Jorge Mario Bergoglio discovered his vocation and
declared his desire to dedicate his life to God and men.
After many years, it was on the feast of Saint Joseph,
March 19, 2013, when that young boy—now a mature
adult—would be inaugurated as the Pontiff and the head
of the Church.
The two statues at Santa Marta - He didn’t take this journey alone. Francis wanted St.
Joseph to go with him, as a discreet guide, and a protector who is silent but always atten-
tive. Even today, in the Pope’s personal study at Casa Santa Marta, there are two statues
portraying the saint.
One in particular is very dear to the Pope, and he has carried it with him since he lived at
the Jesuit Major Seminary of San Miguel, where he was the rector. It’s an unusual image
in the eyes of Americans and Europeans, but the devotion is widespread among South
American Catholics, It’s a statue depicting St. Joseph sleeping.
Protector and Consoler - While asleep, St.
Joseph received messages from God, who
warned him about the danger posed by King
Herod and entrusted him to love and pro-
tect Mary and the Baby Jesus.
It was in a dream when Joseph accepted his
role as putative father of Jesus and of all
mankind, an archetypal figure of protector,
defender, and consoler. Joseph is the
attetive and tender guardian of the Family,
a just man who accepts and guards the mys-
teries of God, as he willingly chose to accept and protect Mary, the woman chosen by God
to be the Most Holy and Immaculate Mother of His only Son.
An invitation to “sleep on it” - This is why, Fr. Marcello Stanzione explains, the Pope
has the habit of placing under the statue of the saint a list containing the problems, peti-
tions, and prayers of the faithful. It’s as if he were inviting Saint Joseph to “sleep on it,”
and perhaps to put a good word in before God to solve difficult situations and to help
those in need, thus calling upon the saint’s role as a father who is merciful and totally at-
tentive to those he loves.
He’s a truly special saint, who protects and helps us even while he sleeps! (October 31,
2020 – Aleteia)
Sleeping Joseph, by Michael Adams
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Day One St. Joseph, be our beloved Father and Protector in this Pandemic
St. Joseph with Jesus by Eleni Dadi
Centering Prayer: “Hymn to St. Joseph"
Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish Pilipino
Prayer: St. Joseph, my loving father, our world is suffering greatly with this pandemic.
Our lives are in crisis. You are our faithful protector and intercessor. As you took care of
Mary and I pray that the vaccine will keep us safe and will be immediately available to all
throughout the world. I pray for all who are suffering with Covid 19 and its variants and
that you will intercede for their health. I ask that your loving care will give strength to
those who are caring for our ill.
May your intercession help me to be more caring for those in need.
Blessed Joseph, spouse of our Mother Mary, hold me in your prayer to have an open
heart, a willing spirit and actions that witness to Jesus.
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St. Joseph, Beloved father of Jesus, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, Protector of the Holy Family, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, example of courage in the face of crisis, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, helper of the sick, hear my prayer
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself as a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
St. Joseph, Father and Protector of Jesus, pray for us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is
now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen +
More prayer opportunities:
Litany of St. Joseph — Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish
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Centering prayer: ‘Hymn to St. Joseph’
Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish Pilipino
Prayer:
Dear St. Joseph, you knew what it was to have a family and have to move from place to
place. You protected Mary and Jesus from the hatred of Herod. Many families are in the
same situation today with no place to call home. They are running from hatred, war,
hunger and racism.
The Flight Into Egypt by Enrico Manfrini, St. Mary Cathedral in San Francisco
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As a father you certainly were not passively resigned, but courageously and firmly
proactive. The Holy Spirit guided your heart when the situations seemed so dark. I pray
that you ask the Holy Spirit to open my heart and spirit to immigrants, the strangers,
the homeless, the runaways on our streets and those with no food, shelter and clothing.
Help me to search for ways of welcoming the stranger in my midst. Help me to work for
systemic change in society.
Help me as I think of your attitude in life’s choices. You gave so much to protect your
family and I too need creative courage in dealing with the massive world problems.
St. Joseph, Husband of Mary and Foster father of Jesus, hear my prayer,
St. Joseph, head of a family with no place to lay one’s head, hear my prayer,
St. Joseph, who knew imminent danger, hear my prayer,
St. Joseph, our Protector from hatred and racism, hear my prayer.
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself as a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
St. Joseph, Father and Protector of Jesus, pray for us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen+
More prayer opportunities:
Litany of St. Joseph — Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish
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Day 3
St. Joseph, Model of Interior Life
St. Joseph by Fr. Marcho Rupnik, SJ
Centering Prayer: “Hymn to St. Joseph”
Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish Pilipino
Prayer:
St. Joseph, your silence speaks louder than words. “The Gospels speak exclusively of
what Joseph did,” Pope John Paul II said. “Still, they allow us to discover in his ‘actions’
— shrouded in silence as they are — an aura of deep contemplation. Joseph was in daily
contact with the mystery ‘hidden from ages past,’ and which ‘dwelt’ under his roof.
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I pray, St. Joseph, that you help me take time daily for silence and prayer. Your Son
asks that we pray always and often went to the deserted places to be with his Father.
Give me the fortitude and faithfulness as a true disciple to pray.
St. Joseph, ask the Holy Spirit to come and give me words to pray when I do not know
how. Help me to remember my loved ones, be grateful for what is given, and to pray for
those who have no one to pray for them.
When life is difficult help me with your example never to give up on God or on my faith. I
pray for those who have no faith, and those who have given it away that they may re-
turn.
Also, I ask you to guide those seeking to come into the Church. Help me and the
church community to be centers of hospitality, evangelization and sharing of the faith
that we hold so sacred.
St. Joseph, Holy Man of God, hear my prayer
St Joseph, Model of Interior life, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, Guided by the Holy Spirit, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, Sign of Hospitality, hear my prayer
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself as a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
St. Joseph, Father and Protector of Jesus, pray for us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen+
More prayer opportunities:
Litany of St. Joseph Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish
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Day 4
St. Joseph, Protector of the Holy Family
Centering Prayer: “Hymn to St. Joseph"
Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish Pilipino
Prayer:
St. Joseph, you were such a good husband and father. Your heart opened wide for
Mary and Jesus. Help me to be open to the situations that I am faced with in life.
Guide me to be caring for others, discerning of life’s situations and centered in
prayer.
I have confidence in your example. You are a man of simple humility and holiness.
I ask your help on my struggles in life. Make me a good disciple of your Son, Jesus.
Help me to courageously say “yes” to the small and big tasks of my day.
The Holy Family by Shim Soon-hwa Cathe-
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Dear St. Joseph, help me to continually be concerned for the struggles of families,
women and children. You know as I do the world situations and the lack of support for
family life. May I know that it is not just charity that needs to be brought to family sit-
uations but systemic change. Send the Holy Spirit to guide me in the actions that I
should take on behalf of families.
You are a great example for all fathers. May you help them to be examples of love and
care. I thank you for my father and grandfathers. I thank you for those father figures
who have been examples of care for me. I ask your help for those who have no fa-thers,
whose fathers have rejected them and for those longing to reconnect with their fathers.
St. Joseph, hold all of these in your care as you did Jesus and Mary.
St. Joseph, Protector of Families, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, Guardian of Mary and Jesus, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, Most Strong, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, Humble example, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, Loving Heart, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, Beloved Father, hear my prayer
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself as a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
St. Joseph, Father and Protector of Jesus, Pray for us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the begin-
ning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen+
More prayer opportunities:
Litany of St. Joseph — Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish
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Protector of the Church by Joseph Guardo, Chapel of Ex-Votos,
Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal, Quebec
Day 5
St. Joseph, Patron of the Catholic Church
Centering Prayer: “Hymn to St. Joseph"
Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish Pilipino
Prayer:
St. Joseph, you went unnoticed in your life. “You were a daily, discreet and hidden pres-
ence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble.” (Pope Francis) It is so
necessary that I pray asking for your help in this time of our world pandemic. I pray for
all the first responders, who much like you, appear hidden or in the shadows.
St. Joseph, as you protected Jesus, the Bread of Life, inspire me in the desire to be one
with Jesus in the Eucharist. Help me to grow more deeply in my understanding of gather-
ing as a Church together. Help me to cooperate with God’s plan for the Church today.
Keep me safe and show me the way.
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I pray to you for my beloved Church. She has been torn by so many evils. Your open-
ness to God’s will sets an example for healing. Please bring about reconciliation, reform
and healing at this time. The Body of Christ needs your help.
St. Joseph, Patron of the Catholic Church, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, Guide in times of darkness, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, Life in Sacrificial Service, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, Comforter of the Sick, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, My Patron, hear my prayer
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself as a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
St. Joseph, Father and Protector of Jesus, Pray for us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the begin-
ning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen+
More prayer opportunities:
Litany of St. Joseph — Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish
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The Holy Family icon by Father John Giuliani
Centering Prayer: “Hymn to St. Joseph"
Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish Pilipino
Pope Benedict XVI especially encouraged married couples and parents to turn to St.
Joseph, saying: “God alone could grant Joseph the strength to trust the Angel. God
alone will give you, dear married couples, the strength to raise your family as he
wants. Ask it of him! God loves to be asked for what he wishes to give. Ask him for
the grace of a true and ever more faithful love patterned after his own. As the Psalm
magnificently puts it: his ‘love is established forever, his loyalty will stand as long as
the heavens’ (Ps 88:3).” St. Joseph, I ask your help with families who in today’s
world have so many struggles. May I continue to pray daily for strong, faithful mar-
riages and care of children. Help me to support the families that I know and my own
family. I pray for… (Mention the names of those members of your family and other families).
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You were privileged to watch Jesus grow daily and you taught him how to be a good
Jewish man. Help me to encourage children to develop their character and to use their
skills and talents. I ask your help that I may share my love of Jesus, and the Church.
St. Joseph, in all families there is need for reconciliation. Please help me to be forgiv-
ing. Send me the spirit of gratitude for all that I have. Teach me that God does work
even through my fears, my frailties and my weakness. You followed God’s will even in
the temptations of life, help me to never be afraid to let the Lord steer me on the right
course.
St. Joseph, Protector of the Holy Family, pray for me
St. Joseph, Husband of Mary, pray for me
St. Joseph, Teacher of Jesus, pray for me
St. Joseph, Comforter of the Sick, pray for me
St. Joseph, Tender Mercy, pray for me
St. Joseph, Always Faithful, pray for me
St. Joseph, Guide of Children, pray for me
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself as a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
St. Joseph, Father and Protector of Jesus, Pray for us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the begin-
ning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen+
More prayer opportunities:
Litany of St. Joseph — Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish
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Day 7
St. Joseph, Patron of Workers
St. Joseph with the Virgin and Jesus Child in the workshop of Nazareth by Modesto Faustini, Basilica della Santa Casa, Loreto, Italy
Centering Prayer: “Hymn to St. Joseph"
Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish Pilipino
Prayer:
St. Joseph, you worked hard to put food on the table for your family and provide hous-
ing. I ask that you bless me with the ability to care of those who need food and hous-
ing. So many are on our streets and in homeless shelters, may I be sensitive to their
needs and not turn a blind eye.
You are the patron of workers. Many are without work and struggling to survive. May I
appreciate the importance of dignified work of which you set an example. I pray that
workers may be paid a living wage, be safe in the work place and be treated with
dignity.
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I pray for our young people that they may realize the importance of being a service to
society. St. Joseph, help them develop the skills and talents they have been given.
Help them to enjoy a certain degree of prosperity and that there is a renewed need to
appreciate the importance of dignified work.
Your priorities were centered in the good of others. Help me to find ways to express a
firm conviction that no young person, no person at all, no family should be without
work.
St. Joseph, Patron of Workers, pray for me
St. Joseph, Honest Man of Society, pray for me
St. Joseph, Knowing Being on the Street Without Shelter, pray for me
St. Joseph, Dignified Worker, pray for me
St. Joseph, Providing Father to Mary and Jesus, pray for me
St. Joseph, Skilled Carpenter, pray for me
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself as a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
St. Joseph, Father and Protector of Jesus, Pray for us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the begin-
ning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen+
More prayer opportunities:
Litany of St. Joseph — Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish
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Day 8
St. Joseph, Patron of the Archdiocese of San Francisco
Centering Prayer: “Hymn to St. Joseph"
Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish Pilipino
Prayer:
St. Joseph, you are our powerful patron. As the Guardian of the Redeemer I ask that you
guard our Archdiocese. I ask your intercession to grant wisdom to our Archbishop,
priests, deacons and lay leaders. Help them to know the great humility you practiced
and to imbue it in our church.
I ask your intercession to all our Catholic brothers and sisters in knowing the value of
the Eucharist. You had Jesus with you, may we yearn to be with Jesus in the celebra-
tion of the Eucharist and receiving him in communion on a regular basis. Help those
who have strayed to come back.
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone dedication of the statue of St. Joseph at
St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in San Francisco for the Year of St. Joseph
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I ask your intercession for all our Catholic brothers and sisters in knowing and appre-
ciating the value of the Eucharist. You had Jesus with you, may we yearn to be with
Jesus in the celebration of the Eucharist and receiving him in Holy Communion on a
regular basis. Help those who have strayed from our faith community to come back.
You cared for Jesus and Mary, may we care for those in our Archdiocese. So many are
without shelter, food, jobs and health care. You knew the plight of being an immigrant.
May our immigrants be granted a welcoming home. You remind us that those who
appear hidden or in the shadows bring about a rich society that is the Body of Christ.
These are troubled times for many in our Archdiocese, please ask the Holy Spirit to
bring peace and justice. May my parish and all others open avenues of healing.
St. Joseph, I know you hear the cries of our people, come and carry their needs to
Jesus.
St. Joseph, Patron of our Archdiocese, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, Humble man, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, Immigrant, hear my prayer
St. Joseph, Father of the Poor, hear my prayer
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
St. Joseph, Father and Protector of Jesus, pray for us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the begin-
ning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen+
More prayer opportunities:
Litany of St. Joseph — Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish
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Day 9
St. Joseph, Friend of the Sick and the Dying
Death of Joseph, St. Martin’s Florac, France
Centering Prayer: “Hymn to St. Joseph"
Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish Pilipino
Prayer:
St. Joseph, as Foster Father of Jesus and husband to Mary, you know the concerns of
taking care of a family. These days we are struggling to care for those who are sick and
dying-- some are in our own families and communities, and many throughout the
world. Many have no one with them in their illness and to hold them as they lay down
dying. My heart is breaking because of this but I know you are with them. I pray that
you carry them to the arms of Jesus.
I ask that you intercede for the sick and the dying. Help those who are dying to draw
close to Jesus at this time. I pray that they may know of the comfort of the sacraments.
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Send Jesus’ healing hand for those who are sick. Send the choir of angels to bring
those who die to the heavenly banquet.
St. Joseph, you know the power of forgiveness. You have seen how Jesus forgave the
thief on the cross and brought him into heaven. Bring your intercessions for those who
are dying today that they seek forgiveness. Please help me to forgive those who have
hurt me and help others to forgive me. St. Joseph, I am sure you took care of Mary and
Jesus when they were sick. I pray for your intercession for courage and strength to
caregivers. Help each one to personally feel the touch of Jesus in their lives so their
touch may bring healing.
St. Joseph, Patron of the Dying, pray for me
St. Joseph, Foster Father of the Eternal Judge, pray for me
St. Joseph, Patron of the Sick, pray for me
St. Joseph, Pope Francis’ Guide, pray for me
St. Joseph, Caretaker of Mary and Jesus, pray for me
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself as a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
St. Joseph, Father and Protector of Jesus, pray for us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the
beginning, is now and ever. Amen+
More prayer opportunities:
Litany of St. Joseph — Click preferred hyperlink: English Spanish