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One might wonder what Saint Joseph has to do with American Saints and Causes and its mission to spread awareness of the lives of the holy men and women of the United States and their love of Christ. We could point to the devotion that, among others, Elizabeth Ann Seton, Bishop Alphonse Gallegos, and Antonia Inija had to the foster father of Jesus. But the truth is, we are grafting onto American Saints and Causes the Rosary of Saint Joseph in order to get it out to the faithful.
Just as the American Saints and Causes tells of the lives of individuals that we hope will be of a help and inspiration to the faithful to live out their own vocation to holiness, Saint Joseph’s witness of love of Christ has much to offer the faithful as well. Devotion to Saint Joseph has grown slowly through history, but seems to have gained in popularity in recent years.
Devotional practices related to Saint Joseph are not as well developed. With acknowledgement and thanks to the Oblates of Saint Joseph and Dr. Scott Hahn, the following Rosary of Saint Joseph blends together Scott Hahn’s Hail Joseph prayer with the mysteries used by the Oblates. To further make the Rosary of Saint Joseph distinct from the Marian rosary, we have added our own addition by substituting for the Hail Holy Queen a modified version of Pope Leo XIII’s prayer to Saint Joseph that he wrote as an additional prayer that could be said at the end of the Marian rosary.
We hope that the Rosary of Saint Joseph will be an aid to your spiritual life, along with the rest of American Saints and Causes. It has been a help to those of us here at American Saints and Causes, with Saint Joseph bringing us closer to both Mary and Jesus.
Below is the Rosary of Saint Joseph. You can also download a PDF of the Rosary of Saint Joseph by clicking here.
Creed: I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into Hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty. He shall come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father: Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallow be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
O My Jesus: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.
Hail Joseph: Hail Joseph, son of David, do not fear. Jesus will save His people from their sins. St. Joseph, virginal father of Jesus, intercede for us sinners in need. Amen.
Pope Leo XIII (adapted): To you, O Blessed Joseph, with hearts filled with confidence, we earnestly beg you to take us under your protection. Through that sacred bond of charity which united you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by that fatherly love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you to look graciously upon the beloved inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased by his blood, and to aid us in our necessities with your power and strength. Defend, O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen children of Jesus Christ. Keep from us, O most loving father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, most valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers of darkness. And just as you once saved the Child Jesus from mortal danger, so now defend God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example, and strengthened by your help, we may be able to live a virtuous life, die a happy death, and obtain everlasting bliss in heaven. Amen.
Closing: O God, whose only begotten Son by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant we beseech Thee, that by meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of St. Joseph, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Introductory Prayers
1st Mystery: Betrothal of St. Joseph to Mary
2nd Mystery: Annunciation to St. Joseph
3rd Mystery: Birth and Naming of Jesus
4th Mystery: The Flight into Egypt
5th Mystery: The Hidden Life at Nazareth
Concluding Prayers
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit.
And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.”
And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.
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