St. Joseph, the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus, is patron of the whole Church, of fathers and families, of workers and of a peaceful death. Catholics turn to him for work, a home, their family, and every practical need.
Below are traditional prayers to St. Joseph, prayers for work and for a family, a novena before his feast on 19 March, and his story.
Prayers to St. Joseph
Prayer to St. Joseph of Pope Leo XIII (shortened)
To you, O blessed Joseph, we come in our trials, and having asked the help of your most holy spouse, we confidently ask your protection also. By the love that bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by the fatherly love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you to look kindly on the inheritance Jesus Christ won by His blood, and to help us in our needs by your power and strength. Most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ, and protect each of us always, so that, following your example, we may live holy lives, die a holy death and reach everlasting happiness in heaven. Amen.
A prayer to St. Joseph for work
St. Joseph, you earned bread for Jesus and Mary with the work of your hands. Pray for me as I look for work, or as I do the work I have. Help me find a job where I can provide for my family with dignity, and help me to work honestly and well. Amen.
A prayer to St. Joseph for a family
St. Joseph, guardian of the Holy Family, watch over our home. Protect our children, strengthen our marriage, and help us to live together in faith and love as you did in Nazareth. Amen.
Short Prayers
- St. Joseph, pray for us.
- St. Joseph the Worker, bless my work.
- St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, pray for (name).
Novena to St. Joseph
A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer for one intention. Each day, pray the main prayer above, name your intention, then pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be. Many people pray it from 10 to 18 March so that it ends on the eve of his feast on 19 March. He is also honoured as St. Joseph the Worker on 1 May.
Who Was St. Joseph?
Joseph was a descendant of King David who lived in Nazareth and worked as a carpenter or builder. The Gospels never record a word he spoke; they record what he did. He took Mary as his wife after an angel told him in a dream that her child was from the Holy Spirit, protected the family by fleeing to Egypt, and raised Jesus in Nazareth.
He is not mentioned after Jesus was twelve, and tradition holds that he died in the arms of Jesus and Mary, which is why he is patron of a happy death.
Scripture
“Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace.” Matthew 1:19 (NIV)
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him.” Matthew 1:24 (NIV)
Questions People Ask
What is St. Joseph the patron saint of?
The universal Church, fathers, families, workers, travellers, and a happy death.
When is St. Joseph’s feast day?
19 March, and 1 May as St. Joseph the Worker.
Do people pray to St. Joseph to sell a house?
Yes, it is a popular custom. What matters is the prayer itself; he is a practical saint for practical needs.
Can I send a prayer to St. Joseph through Holy Land Prayer?
We do not send prayers to a shrine of St. Joseph. What we do is carry prayers to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem: you can write a prayer asking for this saint’s intercession in the form at the top of this page, and we will place it inside one of the chapels, where a priest prays it in English.
Who Writes These Prayers
The Holy Land Prayer team writes the prayers on this page. Traditional prayers are given in the form used in Catholic devotion. Scripture is quoted from the New International Version.
Last reviewed 28 September 2026 by the Holy Land Prayer team.
Send a Prayer to Jerusalem
Joseph knew Jerusalem well: he brought the infant Jesus to the Temple there (Luke 2:22) and searched the city for three days when Jesus was twelve (Luke 2:41-46). If you would like a prayer for your work, your home or a father in your life carried to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, write it in the form at the top of this page. It is printed and placed in one of the chapels, where a priest prays it in English, and a candle is lit on your behalf. Photos of both are emailed to you. See how it works.
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