Litany of St. Joseph: Full Church-Approved Prayer
The Litany of St. Joseph is a prayer approved by the Church for public and private devotion. It honors St. Joseph under titles drawn from his vocation as the chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, foster father and guardian of Jesus, and patron of the Universal Church.
The litany was approved by Pope St. Pius X in 1909. In May 2021, during the Year of St. Joseph, the Dicastery for Divine Worship, with Pope Francis’s approval, added seven invocations: Guardian of the Redeemer, Servant of Christ, Minister of salvation, Support in difficulties, Patron of exiles, Patron of the afflicted, and Patron of the poor. The text below follows the English translation adapted and approved by the USCCB Committee on Divine Worship.
Joseph the Carpenter, by Georges de La Tour (c. 1642). Public domain, Louvre Museum, Paris.
Who Was St. Joseph?
St. Joseph was a descendant of the royal House of David, a carpenter by trade, and the husband of Mary, the Mother of God. Though not the biological father of Jesus, he served as His foster father and the guardian of the Holy Family. He provided for Mary and Jesus, protected them by fleeing into Egypt from Herod, and raised Jesus in Nazareth.
Sacred Scripture calls Joseph a “just man” (Matthew 1:19). Because he is traditionally believed to have died in the presence of Jesus and Mary, he is also invoked as the patron of a happy death.
How to Pray the Litany
The litany may be prayed alone or with a group. One person may announce each invocation and the others respond with the words shown in bold. When praying alone, simply pray both parts.
It is especially fitting on the Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19, the memorial of St. Joseph the Worker on May 1, and on Wednesdays, which are traditionally dedicated to his honor. The Church’s Year of St. Joseph, observed from 2020 to 2021, also renewed attention to this venerable prayer.
Litany of St. Joseph
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father in heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Illustrious son of David, pray for us.
Light of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Guardian of the Redeemer, pray for us.
Pure Guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Provider for the Son of God, pray for us.
Zealous defender of Christ, pray for us.
Servant of Christ, pray for us.
Minister of salvation, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph, most just, pray for us.
Joseph, most chaste, pray for us.
Joseph, most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph, most brave, pray for us.
Joseph, most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph, most loyal, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model for workers, pray for us.
Glory of family life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Cornerstone of families, pray for us.
Support in difficulties, pray for us.
Comfort of the sorrowing, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of exiles, pray for us.
Patron of the afflicted, pray for us.
Patron of the poor, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of the Holy Church, pray for us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
He made him master of his house,
and ruler of all his possessions.
Let us pray.
O God, who in your inexpressible providence
were pleased to choose Saint Joseph
as spouse of your most holy Mother,
grant, we pray,
that we, who revere him as our protector on earth,
may be worthy of his heavenly intercession.
Who live and reign for ever and ever.
Amen.
Whatever difficulty or need brings us to prayer, the Litany of St. Joseph reminds us that the quiet and faithful guardian of the Holy Family remains a powerful intercessor and protector of the whole Church.