Novena to St. Joseph to protect the family

Dear People of the
Archdiocese of Edmonton:

St. Joseph is the patron saint of Canada, and of many institutions in our archdiocese, including our cathedral.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph form the Holy Family, and throughout Canada, as we prepare for the Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19, Catholic Christians are asking the intercession of St. Joseph to protect and strengthen our most fundamental social institution, the family.

Always, our first recourse is prayer, and I invite you to pray this Novena to St. Joseph on each of the days leading up to his feast.

Thomas Collins
Archbishop of Edmonton

Novena Prayer to Saint Joseph
March 11-19, 2005
God of mercy and of the holy covenant, you created every human being, male and female, in your image and likeness, so that they may be fruitful and multiply on earth.
In the beginning of our Christian era, you asked Joseph, illustrious descendant of David, to take the blessed Virgin Mary as his wife and to form with her a family for Jesus, your Son, our Redeemer.
Through the difficulties and trials you guided St. Joseph, you made him the protector of the Holy Family and allowed the Church to recognize him as an attentive protector for all Christian families.
During this important moment in our country's history, we ask you to guard marriage according to your will, and we appeal for the intercession and protection of St. Joseph, your obedient servant, so that Canadian families of today will be strengthened in love and continue to live securely in your inspired definition of marriage.
Litany to Saint Joseph
Lord, have mercy.	Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.	Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.	Lord, have mercy.
God, the Father of 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, Mother of God,	pray for us.
Saint Joseph,	pray for us.
Noble descendant of the House of David,	pray for us.
Faithful Husband of the Virgin Mary,	pray for us.
Guardian of the Redeemer,	pray for us.
Man of prudent silence,	pray for us.
Model of workers,	pray for us.
Guardian of the Holy Family,	pray for us.
Protector of the Universal Church,	pray for us.
Patron of Canada,	pray for us.
Guardian of the Christian families,	pray for us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,	forgive us, Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,	hear us, Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,	have mercy on us.
O God, you were pleased to choose St. Joseph as the husband of Mary and the guardian of your Son. Grant that, as we venerate him as our protector on earth, we may have him as our intercessor in heaven. Hear the prayers we offer you, through his intercession, for the strengthening and protection of marriage and family in our country. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter