A Novena to St. Joseph

April 23, 2020

St. Joseph in the Hills-Malvern Retreat House Novena in Honor of the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker., May 1st!

Please consider a 9 Day Novena to St. Joseph the Worker,  with the particular intention for the protection and flourishing of St. Joseph in the Hills-Malvern Retreat House, the largest and oldest retreat center in the US.  This oasis of peace and beauty, which was founded and passed on through the prayers and sacrificial labors of our predecessors, has been affected like many other institutions during these times of trial. 

St. Joseph can sympathize with all our trials.  Recall the crosses of being turned away at the Inn as he sought shelter for the Christ child to be born, as he lead the Holy Family to flee to Egypt in the middle of the night, as he and Mary sorrowed at the loss of the Christ child for 3 days at the Temple. Meanwhile, he lived consistently trusting the Heavenly Father in all areas when things may have seemed unclear.

The 9 days of prayer (meaning of novena) is based on the 9 days of prayer in the upper room in preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit. You can start April 22nd (ending the day before May 1st) or April 23rd (ending on the Feast). Novena prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker – Feast day May 1st. 

“Joseph, by the work of your hands and the sweat of your brow, you supported Jesus and Mary, and had the Son of God as your fellow worker. Teach me to work as you did, with patience and perseverance, for God and for those whom God has given me to support. Teach me to see in my fellow workers the Christ who desires to be in them, that I may always be charitable and forbearing towards all. Grant me to look upon work with the eyes of faith, so that I shall recognize in it my share in God’s own creative activity and in Christ’s work of our redemption, and so take pride in it. When it is pleasant and productive, remind me to give thanks to God for it. And when it is burdensome, teach me to offer it to God, in reparation for my sins and the sins of the world.

O good father Joseph! I beg you, by all your sufferings, sorrows and joys, to obtain for me what I ask.

(Here name your petition).

 Obtain for all those who have asked my prayers, everything that is useful to them in the plan of God. Be near to me in my last moments that I may eternally sing the praises of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Amen.