Litany of St. Joseph
St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Approved by: Pope St. Pius X (1909); expanded by Pope Francis (2021) with seven new invocations marking the 150th anniversary of Joseph's patronage of the Universal Church
When to pray: Daily; especially during March (Month of St. Joseph), on Wednesdays (the day traditionally dedicated to St. Joseph), and on his solemnity (March 19) and feast of St. Joseph the Worker (May 1).
About this litany
The Litany of St. Joseph was approved by Pope St. Pius X in 1909, the year after he proclaimed St. Joseph the patron of the Universal Church's first hundredth anniversary. Pope Francis, in the apostolic letter Patris Corde (2020) and the subsequent decree of the Congregation for Divine Worship (May 1, 2021), added seven new invocations to mark the 150th anniversary of that patronage: Custos Redemptoris (Guardian of the Redeemer), Serve Christi (Servant of Christ), Minister salutis (Minister of salvation), Fulcimen in difficultatibus (Support in difficulties), Patrone exsulum (Patron of exiles), Patrone afflictorum (Patron of the afflicted), and Patrone pauperum (Patron of the poor).
Opening Kyrie and Trinitarian invocations → three Marian-linked invocations → 33 invocations of St. Joseph (including the 7 added by Francis 2021) → three-fold Agnus Dei → versicle/response → collect.
Opening
- V. Lord, have mercy.
- R. Lord, have mercy.
- V. Christ, have mercy.
- R. Christ, have mercy.
- V. Lord, have mercy.
- R. Lord, have mercy.
- V. Christ, hear us.
- R. Christ, graciously hear us.
- V. God the Father of Heaven,
- R. have mercy on us.
- V. God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
- R. have mercy on us.
- V. God the Holy Spirit,
- R. have mercy on us.
- V. Holy Trinity, one God,
- R. have mercy on us.
- V. Holy Mary,
- R. pray for us.
Invocations
- V. St. Joseph,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Renowned offspring of David,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Light of Patriarchs,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Spouse of the Mother of God,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Guardian of the Redeemer,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Chaste guardian of the Virgin,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Foster father of the Son of God,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Diligent protector of Christ,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Servant of Christ,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Minister of salvation,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Head of the Holy Family,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Joseph most just,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Joseph most chaste,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Joseph most prudent,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Joseph most strong,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Joseph most obedient,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Joseph most faithful,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Mirror of patience,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Lover of poverty,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Model of artisans,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Glory of home life,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Guardian of virgins,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Pillar of families,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Support in difficulties,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Solace of the wretched,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Hope of the sick,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Patron of exiles,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Patron of the afflicted,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Patron of the poor,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Patron of the dying,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Terror of demons,
- R. pray for us.
- V. Protector of Holy Church,
- R. pray for us.
Concluding Invocations
- V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
- R. spare us, O Lord.
- V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
- R. graciously hear us, O Lord.
- V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
- R. have mercy on us.
- V. He made him the lord of his household,
- R. and prince over all his possessions.
Closing Prayer
V. Let us pray. O God, who in Thine ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may have him for our intercessor in Heaven, whom on earth we venerate as our protector. Who livest and reignest world without end.
R. Amen.
Primary sources