Man of God, St. Joseph,
Faithful son of the Father,
Wise guardian of the Word made flesh,
Obedient servant of the Holy Spirit;
Be to me a father and a friend.
Watchful protector of the Church,
Teach me to reverence
Jesus the Bread of Life
And to love him in every crushed grain of humanity,
From which his Body is made.
Chaste husband of the Immaculate Virgin,
Help me to honour Mary
With a pure and innocent mind,
Courageous chastity of body
And constant reflection on the mysteries of her Son.
Gentle father of the Holy Family,
Be mindful of my needs
And those of my family.
Gather us in prayer each day
With Jesus and Mary.
(Pause for silent reflection and prayer.)
Guard me from the evil of these times,
From the worship of riches,
From the destructive pursuit of pleasure,
And from the pride that blinds me
To the perfect law of Christ.
Show me how to live and work
In the presence of Jesus
All the days of my life
And to come to him at the end,
In a death as peaceful and happy as your own.
Amen
Leaflets available from: The Secretary, St. Vincent Ministry to Priests, P.O. Box 1559, Palm Harbor, FL 34682, USA; Tel. (727)784-6462
KJS With permission of the Local Ordinary.