THE LITANY OF SAINT JOSEPH

WALKING WITH THE SILENT GUARDIAN: A REFLECTION AND THE LITANY OF SAINT JOSEPH 

Saint Joseph is one of the most quietly profound figures in salvation history. Though Scripture records no spoken words from him, his life resounds with strength, obedience, and faith. He was the humble guardian of Jesus and the chaste protector of Mary—a man of action guided by divine trust rather than public recognition.

In today's world, where noise and self-promotion dominate, the example of Saint Joseph reminds us of the deep virtue in quiet service, fidelity, and courage. The Litany of Saint Joseph is a prayer that invites us into deeper reflection on his life and virtues, while seeking his powerful intercession. It is especially meaningful for fathers, workers, families, and all who labor quietly for the good of others.

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Litany’s Update

The Litany of Saint Joseph honors his role as the foster father of Jesus, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and patron of the Universal Church. First approved in 1909, it was updated in May 2021 by Pope Francis during the Year of Saint Joseph, with the addition of seven new invocations. These new titles further express the Church’s love and admiration for Saint Joseph’s example.

The Committee on Divine Worship of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved a slightly adapted English translation incorporating these additions, as well as new introductory and concluding prayers. This litany carries a partial indulgence (Manual of Indulgences, concession 22), offering grace to those who pray it devoutly.

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LITANY OF SAINT JOSEPH 

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God the 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.

Illustrious son of David,

pray for us.

Light of Patriarchs,

pray for us.

Spouse of the Mother of God,

pray for us.

Guardian of the Redeemer,

pray for us.

Pure Guardian of the Virgin,

pray for us.

Provider for the Son of God,

pray for us.

Zealous 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.

Joseph, most just,

pray for us.

Joseph, most chaste,

pray for us.

Joseph, most prudent,

pray for us.

Joseph, most brave,

pray for us.

Joseph, most obedient,

pray for us.

Joseph, most loyal,

pray for us.

Mirror of patience,

pray for us.

Lover of poverty,

pray for us.

Model for workers,

pray for us.

Glory of family life,

pray for us.

Guardian of virgins,

pray for us.

Cornerstone of families,

pray for us.

Support in difficulties,

pray for us.

Comfort of the sorrowing,

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, you take away the sins of the world,

spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,

hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us.

He made him master of his house,

and ruler of all his possessions.

Let us pray.

O God, who in your inexpressible providence

were pleased to choose Saint Joseph

as spouse of your most holy Mother,

grant, we pray,

that we, who revere him as our protector on earth,

may be worthy of his heavenly intercession.

Who live and reign for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

Special Prayer for End to War in Ukraine by Pope Francis

Pope Francis recites a special prayer imploring God to forgive us for war, especially the war in Ukraine.

He made his own a prayer composed by the Italian Archbishop of Naples, Domenico Battaglia, making a few minor additions.


The Pope pleads with God to forgive all of humanity for the brutality of war, which he said turns our hands—created to care and tend the earth—into instruments of death.

Below is an unofficial translation of the Pope’s prayer:


Forgive us for war, O Lord.


Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners!
Lord Jesus, born in the shadows of bombs falling on Kyiv, have mercy on us!
Lord Jesus, who died in a mother’s arms in a bunker in Kharkiv, have mercy on us!
Lord Jesus, a 20-year-old sent to the frontlines, have mercy on us!
Lord Jesus, who still behold armed hands in the shadow of your Cross, have mercy on us!


Forgive us, O Lord.


Forgive us, if we are not satisfied with the nails with which we crucified Your hands, as we continue to slate our thirst with the blood of those mauled by weapons.
Forgive us, if these hands which You created to tend have been transformed into instruments of death.
Forgive us, O Lord, if we continue to kill our brother;
Forgive us, if we continue like Cain to pick up the stones of our fields to kill Abel.
Forgive us, if we continue to justify our cruelty with our labors, if we legitimize the brutality of our actions with our pain.
Forgive us for war, O Lord. Forgive us for war, O Lord.


Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, we implore You! Hold fast the hand of Cain!
Illumine our consciences;
May our will not be done;
Abandon us not to our own actions!


Stop us, O Lord, stop us!
And when you have held back the hand of Cain, care also for him. He is our brother.
O Lord, put a halt to the violence!
Stop us, O Lord!
Amen.

A PRAYER FOR PEACE BY POPE FRANCIS FOR UKRAINE

FOR UKRAINE: A PRAYER FOR PEACE BY POPE FRANCIS

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years

to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms.

How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced?

How much blood has been shed?

How many lives have been shattered?

How many hopes have been buried?

But our efforts have been in vain.

Now, Lord, come to our aid!

Grant us peace, teach us peace;

guide our steps in the way of peace.

Open our eyes and our hearts,

and give us the courage to say: "Never again war!"; 

"With war everything is lost".

Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace.

Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love,

you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters.

Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace;

enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister.

Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens

who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace,

our trepidation into confident trust,

and our quarreling into forgiveness.

Keep alive within us the flame of hope,

so that with patience and perseverance

we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation.

In this way may peace triumph at last,

and may the words "division," "hatred," and "war"

be banished from the heart of every man and woman.

Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands.

Renew our hearts and minds,

so that the word which always brings us together will be "brother,"

and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam!

Amen.

Let us unite ourselves to the prayer of Pope Francis to Mary during this trying time of coronavirus pandemic

Pope Francis’s Prayer to Mary during Coronavirus Pandemic

O Mary, you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and of hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of Your People, know what we need, and we are sure you will provide so that, as in Cana of Galilee, we may return to joy and to feasting after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform to the will of the Father and to do as we are told by Jesus, who has taken upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows to lead us, through the cross, to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen. ❤️

Say this powerful prayer of Pope Francis to Mary during this time of Covid19 pandemic

Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary during the coronavirus pandemic.

 O Mary, you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and of hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm. You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need, and we are sure you will provide so that, as in Cana of Galilee, we may return to joy and to feasting after this time of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform to the will of the Father and to do as we are told by Jesus, who has taken upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows to lead us, through the cross, to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.

Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. 🙏 💖 💗