Dearest St. Joseph,

at the word of an angel,

you lovingly took Mary into your home.

As God’s humble servant, you guided

the Holy Family on the road to Bethlehem,

welcomed Jesus as your own son

in the shelter of a manger,

and fled far from your homeland

for the safety of both Mother and Child.

 

We praise God that as their faithful protector,

you never hesitated to sacrifice

for those entrusted to you.

May your example inspire us also

to welcome, cherish, and safeguard

God’s most precious gift of life.

 

Help us to faithfully commit ourselves

to the service and defense of human life

—especially where it is

vulnerable or threatened.

Obtain for us the grace

to do the will of God in all things.

Amen.

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