St. Joseph, Patron of Departing Souls

Today, March 19, on the feast of St. Joseph, let us pray for the grace to be always at the service of Jesus and Mary like he did and also for the grace of a happy death.


God revealed to Joseph that because of his great concern for the dying throughout his life, assisting them and pleading for their salvation with prayers and tears, He was appointing him as their special mediator and patron, and furthermore, that He wished that he would continue to manifest his love for them until the end of time. From his place in Heaven, he would still be able to exercise this role as special intercessor for all those engaged in the struggle with death.

The saint gladly took this service upon himself and he was happy over being permitted to assist everyone in this grave and extreme necessity. He thanked God for having selected him, and from that hour dutifully assumed this responsibility of caring for the welfare of those who are in need at the time of death.

Saint Joseph enjoys in Heaven a glory which is indescribable and which surpasses that of any other saint. This glory cannot be comprehended by merely human understanding, and, hence, actually cannot be made known to the world. However, this glory is indeed recognized, understood, and appreciated by the blessed in Heaven throughout all eternity.

The saint continuously exercises his intermediary function before God on behalf of the dying. He also manifests a deep concern for the welfare of all souls redeemed by the Precious Blood of the Savior. He obtains graces for all, but he manifests a special solicitude for those who honor him. There is no grace that he asks of God, or of the most holy Virgin, which he is not able, subsequently, to obtain.

Saint Joseph supplicates for graces on behalf of all men, but particularly for the afflicted and oppressed, since he himself had to endure so much tribulation during his life on earth. The saint also appears to be especially deferential towards religious. I, therefore, urge all souls, in every state of life, to have a special devotion to this great saint. Marvelous effects will indeed be experienced by doing so.

(Source: Saint Joseph As Seen by Mystics and Historians pp. 362-363)

-oOo-

Prayer to Saint Joseph

Oh, St. Joseph,

whose protection is so great, so strong,

and so prompt before the throne of God,

I place in you all my interests and desires.

Oh, St. Joseph,

do assist me by your powerful intercession,

and obtain for me from your Divine Son

all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ,

Our Lord. So that, having engaged here

before your heavenly power,

I may offer my thanksgiving and homage

to the most loving of Fathers.

Oh, St. Joseph,

I never weary contemplating you,

and the Child Jesus asleep in your arms;

I dare not approach while He reposes near

your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss

His fine head for me and ask Him to return

the Kiss when I draw my dying breath.

St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls -

Pray for us. Pray for me. Amen.