As I embark on the Year of St. Joseph, I have found it advantageous to have a companion. This prayer book is a good compilation of traditional prayers, quotes, and practices to help deepen one’s devotion to St. Joseph.

As mentioned in an earlier post, this Year of St. Joseph has as a waypoint the solemn occasion when Blessed Pius IX proclaimed St. Joseph to be the Patron of the Catholic Church, which, as I understand it, was based on extensive devotion that already existed the world over to St. Joseph. That was 150 years ago. As such, it is nice to have this little prayer companion to guide daily prayer, which serves as a reminder of the graces and powerful intercession that he provides us while we are on our pilgrimage.

Through pious prayer and meditation we can draw closer to St. Joseph. Placing our affairs and difficulties in his hands to bring before his Son Jesus, we can begin to strengthen our faith that our prayers will be answered according to God’s will. As St. Theresa of Avila attests in her autobiography, “…I know by long experience what blessings he [St. Joseph] can obtain for us from God…for he helps in a special way those souls who commend themselves to him.” As you proceed through this year dedicated to St. Joseph, find some special way to spend time with him daily in prayer and meditation.

“All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thine example, O Patriarch, St. Joseph. Such shall be my watchword in life and in death.” (Pope St. Pius X)

Post-Script: The prayer book, along with other edifying editions of spiritual work can be found at TAN Books.