Saint Joseph, protector of the Holy Family and a model of sanctifying work, is a powerful intercessor.
Can you imagine the dedication and commitment he carried out in his carpentry workshop in Nazareth?
And how he served his customers with love and docility, solving their problems and requests? How did he teach and help Jesus to follow in his footsteps?
We too are called, as Christians, to do everything for the love of God, including our daily work!
As our work is exhausting or stressful (or even if we don’t like it), we can give it a supernatural meaning. So, there is nothing better than asking for the intercession of Saint Joseph, who knew how to please God in everything, even at work. He can show us how to see our daily work as an opportunity to love God.
Here’s a prayer for entrusting your work into the hands of Saint Joseph:
O Glorious Saint Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in a spirit of penance for the expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations; to work with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, never shrinking from weariness and trials; to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, keeping unceasingly before my eyes death and the account that I must give of time lost, talents unused, good omitted, and vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God.
We ask for your intercession for the world of work, so that the Christian spirit of justice and peace may reign there, in accordance with the teachings of the Church; that workers unite in organizations that defend their rights and respect others; that bosses and employees treat each other as brothers and children of the same Father, that those who ignore the dignity of the human person and exploit the worker and the poor convert.
With you, Saint Joseph, we thank God for the health, strength, disposition, and abilities that allow us to provide for our families and be useful members of society. All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thy example, O Patriarch, Saint Joseph. Such shall be my watchword in life and in death.
Amen.