Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker

[public domain]

Christ in Jospeh’s Workshop, by Matteo Pagano, 1600’s

Prayer to St. Joseph,
Patron of Workers

Glorious Saint Joseph,
you are the pattern of all who work.
Obtain for me, please,
the grace to work conscientiously
and to put devotion to duty
before my selfish inclinations.
Help me to labor in thankfulness and joy,
for it is an honour to employ
and to develop by my labour the gifts
I have received from almighty God.
Grant that I may work in orderliness,
peace, moderation and patience
without shrinking from weariness and difficulties.
I offer my fatigue and perplexities
as reparation for sin.
I shall work, above all,
with a pure intention
and with detachment from self,
having always before my eyes
the hour of death
and the accounting
which I must then render of time ill-spent,
of talents unemployed,
of good undone,
and of empty pride in success,
which is so fatal to the work of God.
For Jesus through Mary,
all in imitation of you,
good Saint Joseph.
This shall be my motto in life and in death.
Amen.

Saint Catherine of Siena

[public domain]

St. Catherine of Siena

Prayer to the Holy Spirit
By Saint Catherine of Siena

Holy Spirit, come into my heart;
draw it to Thee by Thy power, O my God,
and grant me charity with filial fear.
Preserve me, O ineffable Love,
from every evil thought;
warm me, inflame me with Thy dear love,
and every pain will seem light to me.
My Father, my sweet Lord,
help me in all my actions.
Jesus, love, Jesus, love.
Amen.

Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort

[public domain]

Louis-Marie de Montfort with Marie-Louise Trichet, in the foundation of the Daughter of the Wisdom congregation, 19th century

Prayer for the Spirit of Mary
by St. Louis de Montfort

My powerful Queen,
you are all mine through your mercy,
and I am all yours.
Take away from me all that may displease God
and cultivate in me all that is pleasing to Him.
May the light of your faith
dispel the darkness of my mind,
your deep humility
take the place of my pride,
your continual sight of God
fill my memory with His presence.
May the first of the love of your heart
inflame the lukewarmness of my own heart.
May your virtues take the place of my sins.
May your merits be my enrichment
and make up for all
that is wanting in me before God.
My beloved Mother,
grant that I may have no other spirit but your spirit,
to know Jesus Christ and his Divine will
and to praise and glorify the Lord,
that I may love God with burning love like yours.

Amen.