March 19 is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of Mary and Patron Saint of Canada, of the Universal Church, unborn children, fathers, workers, travellers, immigrants, and a happy death.
Apostolic Letter Patris Corde of the Holy Father Francis on the150th Anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church
Prayer of Pope Francis
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.
Resources from the Canadian Bishops. “In the Apostolic Letter Patris Corde (With a Father’s Heart), Pope Francis identifies the extraordinary attributes of St. Joseph as a “beloved, tender and loving, obedient, accepting, creatively-courageous, working father hidden in the shadows.” (cf. No 1-7). We have prepared a series of guided video reflections on each of the seven attributes. They may be used by individuals who wish to focus on only one or two of the attributes from home or in groups gathered in person or online.”
Blessed are you St. Joseph, witness of the glory of God here on earth!
Blessed and glorified be God who chose you!
Blessed and glorified be the Son who obeyed you!
Blessed and glorified be the Holy Spirit who sanctified you!
Most Blessed be Mary who loved you!
Source: Trinity Stores
Catholic News Service Year of St. Joseph: What Catholics need to know
CatholicCulture.org Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Franciscan Media St. Joseph
Pope Francis in his own words on St Joseph
Joseph
To the door of Joseph the joiner,Joseph the menderJoseph the house-builder of Mary,Came what was broken,needed,hoped for.Touched by the story —in mid seed-time, a broken yoke,rains coming and a roof beam rotting,a new ladle, loom or cradle sought.Listening to and loving the wood,grain,fibre,heft,Joseph the Dreamer,the Justthe One-Who-Gives-Increase,Touched the woodwith hands that knew“This is God’s Body”And woe, work, world were whole,were home.By Sr. Gwen Smith CSJ
St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal St. Joseph
I Lift Up My Needs in Prayer
Joseph, with Jesus and Mary, you knew hunger, uncertainty, and illness.
You turned your heart to God to lift up your needs and those of your family.
In faith you accepted the Father’s response as events unfolded.
Be with me today as I offer my requests to the Father.
Joseph, let me recognize God’s will as I open my hands to accept what God bestows in loving kindness.
With tenderness, God fills creation with life and love.
Open my eyes to the wonders that God works without ceasing.
Let me learn the true intention behind my request so that I may discover
within myself the lowly one that God commends. Amen.
