Are you in need of employment or any other work-related issue? Turn to Saint Joseph the Worker!
The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker on May 1. This means the novena begins on April 22 or April 23. If you begin on April 22, the novena ends one day before the feast. If you begin on April 23, your novena will conclude on his May 1 feast day.
In 1955, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker in response to the growing threat posed by communist and socialist ideologies in the workplace.
He chose May 1 to Christianize the secular International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day.
“During this time, the Soviet Union proclaimed themselves as the defender of workers and utilized May Day as an opportunity to exalt communism and parade its military prowess,” EWTN Vatican reported. “Pope Pius XII chose the date specifically to ensure that workers did not lose the Christian understanding of work.”
During this address, instituting the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker on May 1, 1955, Pope Pius XII said in Saint Peter’s Square:
“There could be no better protector to help you let the spirit of the Gospel penetrate your lives…The humble craftsman of Nazareth not only embodies before God and the Holy Church the dignity of the manual laborer, but is also always the provident guardian of you and your families.”
“Thus, if you want to be close to Christ, We also repeat to you today: ‘Ite ad Ioseph’: Go to Joseph!”
In honor of this glorious feast approaching, ChurchPOP has provided a novena to Saint Joseph the Worker below. Feel free to turn to him whenever you need him, but especially in your work. The husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus will never fail you!
Novena to Saint Joseph the Worker
Pray this novena on the nine days leading up to May 1, or any time you seek Saint Joseph’s help in work, employment, or provision for your family.
Each day:
- Sign of the Cross
- Scriptural Meditation
- Daily prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker
- Your intention
- Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
Daily Prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker
Dear Saint Joseph, by the work of your hands and the sweat of your brow, you supported Jesus and Mary and had the Son of God as your fellow worker.
Teach me to work as you did, with patience and perseverance, for God and for those whom God has given me to support.
When my work is pleasant and productive, remind me to give thanks to God for it.
When it is burdensome, teach me to offer it to God in reparation for my sins and for the sins of the world.
Good Father Saint Joseph, obtain for me the grace to see my work as participation in God’s creative and redemptive plan, and to perform it in union with Jesus and Mary.
Through your intercession, guard my soul in peace, my family in charity, and all workers in justice and safety.
Amen.
Day 1 – The dignity of work
Scriptural mediation:
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”
Pray the Daily Prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker.
Add your intention (for example: for a spirit of gratitude and faithfulness in my daily work).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Day 2 – Trust in God’s providence
Scriptural mediation:
“But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness,* and all these things will be given you besides.” (Matthew 6:33.)
Pray the Daily Prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker.
Add your intention (for example: for those who are unemployed or underemployed).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Day 3 – Patience in trials
Scriptural mediation:
“Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3–5.)
Pray the Daily Prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker.
Add your intention (for example: for patience and peace in workplace difficulties).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Day 4 – Justice in labor
Scriptural mediation:
“Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another.” (Luke 10:7)
Pray the Daily Prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker.
Add your intention (for example: for just wages, honest employers, and protection from exploitation).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Day 5 – Charity toward co‑workers
Scriptural mediation:
“Love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10)
Pray the Daily Prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker.
Add your intention (for example: for reconciliation and charity where there is conflict at work).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Day 6 – Work and family life
Scriptural mediation:
“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Pray the Daily Prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker.
Add your intention (for example: for balance between work and family, and for the protection of my home).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Day 7 – Holiness in ordinary tasks
Scriptural mediation:
“Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others, knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23–24)
Pray the Daily Prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker.
Add your intention (for example: to offer even small, hidden tasks to God with love).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Day 8 – Protection for workers
Scriptural mediation:
“The LORD will guard you from all evil; he will guard your soul. The LORD will guard your coming and going both now and forever.” (Psalm 121:7–8)
Pray the Daily Prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker.
Add your intention (for example: for safety and protection for all who labor in dangerous or exhausting conditions).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Day 9 – Perseverance in grace
Scriptural mediation:
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Pray the Daily Prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker.
Add your intention (for example: for final perseverance, a holy death, and eternal rest for deceased workers in my family).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.