Holy Cloak of St Joseph

Holy Cloak of St Joseph

Holy Cloak of St Joseph

About

This precious treasury of prayers in honour of St. Joseph is to be prayed for 30 days, commemorating the earthly thirty years which St. Joseph spent in the company of our Lord. St. Teresa of Avila vouched for its efficaciousness, writing “If you really want to believe in it, prove it to yourself by reciting the Novena and you will be finally convinced.”

 

It takes approximately 20-25 minutes and “the extraordinary graces obtained by this prayer are innumerable“.

Section I: Prayers

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give Thee my heart and my soul.
3x Glory Be (* To the Holy Trinity, giving thanks for having ‘exalted St. Joseph to a position of such exceptional dignity.’)

 

Offering I: O Glorious Patriarch St. Joseph, I humbly prostrate myself before Thee. I beg the Lord Jesus, thine Immaculate Spouse, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the Angels and Saints in the Heavenly Court, to join me in this devotion. I offer thee this precious cloak, while pledging my sincerest faith and devotion. I promise to do all in my power to honour thee throughout my lifetime to prove my love for thee.

Help me, St. Joseph. Assist me now and throughout my lifetime, but especially at the moment of my death, as thou wert assisted by Jesus and Mary, that I may join thee one day in Heaven and there honour thee for all eternity. Amen.

Offering II: O Glorious Patriarch St. Joseph, prostrate, before thee and thy Divine Son, Jesus, I offer thee, with heartfelt devotion, this precious treasury of prayers, being ever mindful of the numerous virtues which adorned thy sacred person. In thee, O Glorious Patriarch, was fulfilled the dream of thy precursor the first Joseph, who indeed seemed to have been sent by God to prepare the way for thy presence on this earth. In fact, not only wert thou surrounded by the shining splendour of the rays of the Divine Sun, Jesus, but thou wert splendidly reflected in the brilliant light of the mystic moon, the Blessed Virgin Mary. O Glorious Patriarch, if the example of the ancient Jacob, who personally went to congratulate his favourite son, who was exalted on the throne of Egypt, served to bring all his progeny there, should not the example of Jesus and Mary, who honoured thee with their greatest respect and trust, serve to bring me, thy devoted servant, to present thee with this precious cloak in thy honour.

Grant, O Great St. Joseph, that the Almighty God may turn a benevolent glance toward me. As the ancient Joseph did not reject his guilty and cruel brothers, but rather accepted them with love and protected and saved them from hunger and death, I beseech thee, O Glorious Patriarch, through thine intercession, grant that the Lord may never abandon me in this exiled valley of sorrows. Grant that He may always number me as one of thy devoted servants who dost live serenely under the patronage of thy Holy Cloak. Grant that I may live always within the protection of this patronage, every day of my life and particularly at that moment when I draw my dying breath. Amen. 

 

Prayer I: Hail O Glorious St. Joseph, thou who art entrusted with the priceless treasures of heaven and earth and foster-father of Him Who doth nourish all the creatures of the universe. Thou art, after Mary, the Saint most worthy of our love and devotion. Thou alone, above all the Saints, wert chosen for that supreme honour of rearing, guiding, nourishing and even embracing the Messiah, Whom so many kings and prophets would have so desired to behold.

St. Joseph, save my soul and obtain for me from the Divine Mercy of God that petition for which I humbly pray.

And for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, grant a great comfort from their pain. Amen.

3x Glory Be *

 

Prayer II: O powerful St. Joseph, thou wert proclaimed the Patron of the Universal Church, therefore, I invoke thee, above all the other Saints, as the greatest protector of the afflicted, and I offer countless blessings to thy most generous heart, always ready to help in any need.

To thee, O Glorious St. Joseph, come the widows, the orphans, the abandoned, the afflicted, the oppressed. There is no sorrow, heartache or anguish which thou hast not consoled. Deign, I beseech thee, to use on my behalf those gifts which God hast given thee, until I too shall be granted the answer to my petition. And thou, Holy Souls in Purgatory, pray to St. Joseph for me. Amen.

3x Glory Be * 

 

Prayer III: Countless are those who have prayed to thee before me and have received comfort and peace, graces and favours. My heart, so sad and sorrowful, cannot find rest in the midst of this trial which besets me. O Glorious St. Joseph, thou knowest all my needs even before I set them forth in prayer. Thou knowest how important this petition is for me. I prostrate myself before thee as I sigh under the heavy weight of the problem which confronts me.

There is no human heart in which I can confide my sorrow; and even if I should find a compassionate creature who would be willing to assist me, still he would be unable to help me. Only thou can help me in my sorrow, St. Joseph, and I beg thee to hear my plea.

Has not St. Teresa left it written in her dialogues that the world may always know “Whatever you ask of St. Joseph, you shall receive.”

O St. Joseph, comforter of the afflicted, have pity on my sorrow and pity on those Poor Souls who place so much hope in their prayers to thee. Amen.

3x Glory Be * 

 

Prayer IV: O Sublime Patriarch St. Joseph, because of thy perfect obedience to God, thou mayest intercede for me.

For thy holy life full of grace and merit, hear my prayer.
For thy most sweet name, help me.
For thy most holy tears, comfort me.
For thy seven sorrows, intercede for me.
For thy seven joys, console me.
From all harm of body and soul, deliver me.
From all danger and disaster, save me.

Assist me with thy powerful intercession and seek for me, through thy power and mercy, all that is necessary for my salvation and particularly the favour of which I now stand in such great need. Amen.

3x Glory Be * 

 

Prayer V: O Glorious St. Joseph, countless are the graces and favours which thou hast obtained for afflicted souls. Illness of every nature, those who are oppressed, persecuted, betrayed, bereft of all human comfort, even those in need of their life bread — all who imploreth thy powerful intercession are comforted in their affliction.

Do not permit, O dearest St. Joseph, that I alone be the only one of all who hast appealed to thee, to be denied this petition which I so earnestly beg of thee. Show thy kindness and generosity even to me, that I may cry out in thanksgiving, “Eternal glory to our Holy Patriarch St. Joseph, my great protector on earth and the defender of the Holy Souls in Purgatory.” Amen.

3x Glory Be *

 

 

Prayer VI: Eternal Father, Who art in Heaven, through the merits of Jesus and Mary, I beg Thee to grant my petition. In the name of Jesus and Mary I prostrate myself before Thy Divine presence and I beseech Thee to accept my hopeful plea to persevere in my prayers that I may be numbered among the throngs of those who live under the patronage of St. Joseph.

Extend Thy blessing on this precious treasury of prayers which I today offer to him as a pledge of my devotion. Amen.

3x Glory Be * 

 

Section II: Supplications in honour of St. Joseph’s hidden life with Jesus and Mary

St. Joseph, pray that Jesus may come into my soul and sanctify me.
St. Joseph, pray that Jesus may come into my heart and inspire it with charity.
St. Joseph, pray that Jesus may come into my mind and enlighten it.
St. Joseph, pray that Jesus may guide my will and strengthen it.
St. Joseph, pray that Jesus may direct my thoughts and purify them.
St. Joseph, pray that Jesus may guide my desires and direct them.
St. Joseph, pray that Jesus may look upon my deeds and extend His blessings.
St. Joseph, pray that Jesus may inflame me with love for Him.
St. Joseph, request for me from Jesus the imitation of thine virtues.
St. Joseph, request for me from Jesus true humility of spirit.
St. Joseph, request for me from Jesus meekness of heart.
St. Joseph, request for me from Jesus peace of soul.
St. Joseph, request for me from Jesus a holy fear of the Lord.
St. Joseph, request for me from Jesus a desire for perfection.
St. Joseph, request for me from Jesus a gentleness of heart.
St. Joseph, request for me from Jesus a holy acceptance of suffering.
St. Joseph, request for me from Jesus the wisdom of faith.
St. Joseph, request for me from Jesus His blessing of perseverance in my good deeds.
St. Joseph, request for me from Jesus the strength to carry my crosses.
St. Joseph, request for me from Jesus a disdain for the material goods of this world.
St. Joseph, request for me from Jesus the grace to always walk on the narrow path towards heaven.
St. Joseph, request for me from Jesus the grace to avoid all occasion of sin.
St. Joseph, request for me from Jesus a holy desire for eternal bliss.
St. Joseph, request for me from Jesus the grace of final perseverance.
St. Joseph, do not abandon me.
St. Joseph, pray that my heart may never cease to love thee and that my lips may ever praise thee.
St. Joseph, for the love thou bore for Jesus, grant that I may learn to love Him.
St. Joseph, graciously accept me as thy devoted servant.
St. Joseph, I give myself to thee; accept my pleas and hear my prayers.
St. Joseph, do not abandon me at the hour of my death.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give Thee my heart and my soul.

3x Glory Be * 

 

Section III: Invocations to St. Joseph

i) Remember O most chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, my good protector St. Joseph, that never was it known that anyone who came to thy protection, and sought thy intercession was left unaided. Confidently I prostrate myself before thee and fervently beg for thy powerful intervention. O foster-Father of our dear Redeemer, despise not my petition, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

ii) Glorious St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and virginal father of Jesus, look upon me and watch over me; lead me on the path of sanctifying grace; take heed of the urgent needs which I now beg thee to envelop within the folds of thy fatherly cloak. Dismiss those obstacles and difficulties standing in the way of my prayer and grant that the happy answer to my petition may serve for the greater glory of God and my eternal salvation. As a pledge of my undying gratitude, I promise to spread the word of thy glory while offering thanks to the Lord for having so blessed thy power and might in heaven and earth. Amen. 

 

Section IV: Litany of St. Joseph

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, (have mercy on us.)
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, (have mercy on us.)
God the Holy Ghost, (have mercy on us.)
Holy Trinity, One God, (have mercy on us.)

Holy Mary, pray for us

St. Joseph, pray for us
Noble scion of David, pray for us
Light of the Patriarchs, pray for us
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us
Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, pray for us
Foster-father of the Son of God, pray for us
Sedulous Defender of Christ, 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 valiant, pray for us
Joseph most obedient, pray for us
Joseph most faithful, pray for us
Mirror of patience, pray for us
Lover of poverty, pray for us
Model of all who labour, pray for us
Glory of family life, pray for us
Protector of virgins, pray for us
Pillar of families, pray for us
Consolation of the afflicted, pray for us
Hope of the sick, pray for us
Patron of the dying, pray for us
Terror of the demons, pray for us
Protector of Holy Church, pray for us

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, (spare us, O Lord.)
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, (graciously hear us, O Lord.)
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, (have mercy on us.)

He made him the lord of His household. (And prince over all his possessions.)

Let us pray.
God, Who, in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the Spouse of Thy most holy Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom, on earth, we venerate as our protector. Who livest and reignest world without end. (Amen.)

 

Section V: Closing Prayer of the Holy Cloak

O Glorious Patriarch St. Joseph, thou who wert chosen by God above all men to be the earthly head of the most holy of families, I beseech thee to accept me within the folds of thy holy cloak, that thou mayest become the guardian and custodian of my soul.

From this moment on, I choose thee as my father, my protector, my counselor, my patron and I beseech thee to place in thy custody my body, my soul, all that I am, all that I possess, my life and my death.

Look upon me as one of thy children; defend me from the treachery of my enemies, invisible or otherwise, assist me at all times in all my necessities; console me in the bitterness of my life, and especially at the hour of my death. Say but one word for me to the Divine Redeemer Whom thou wert deemed worthy to hold in thine arms, and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, thy most chaste spouse. Request for me those blessings which will lead me to salvation. Include me amongst those who art most dear to thee and I shall set forth to prove myself worthy of thy special patronage. Amen.

 

Notes
It is said that any missed days may be caught up on the 30th day. So if one were to miss 2 days (not recommended), then the prayers in their totality would be recited 3 times on the final day.

Prayer by Pope John Paul II to Mary Help of Christians

Prayer to Mary Help of Christians

 

O Mary Help of Christians, in our need we turn to you with eyes of love, with empty hands and longing hearts.

 

We look to you that we may see your Son, our Lord.
We lift our heads that we may have the bread of life.
We open wide our hearts to receive the Prince of Peace.

 

Mother of the Church, your sons and daughters thank you for your trusting word that echoes through the ages, rising from an empty soul made full of grace, prepared by God to welcome the Word to the world, that the world itself might be reborn.
In you, the reign of God has dawned, a reign of grace and peace, love and justice, born from the depths of the Word made flesh.

 

The Church throughout the world, joins you in praising Him whose mercy is from age to age.

 

O Stella Maris, light of every ocean and the mistress of the deep guide the peoples of Oceania across all the dark and stormy seas, that they may reach the haven of peace and light prepared in Him who calmed the sea.

 

Keep all your children safe form harm for the waves are high and we are far from home.

 

As we set forth upon the oceans of the world, and cross the deserts of our time, show us, O Mary, the fruit of your womb, for without your Son we are lost.
Pray that we will never fail on our life journey, that in heart and mind in word and deed, in days of turmoil and in days of calm, we will always look to Christ and say: “ Who is this that even the wind obey Him?”

 

Our Lady of Peace, in whom all storms grow still, pray at the dawn of the new millennium that the Church in Oceania will not cease to show forth the glorious face of your Son, full of grace and truth, so that God will reign in the hearts of the Pacific peoples, and they will find peace in the world’s true Saviour.

 

Plead for the Church in Oceania that she may have strength-to follow faithfully the way of Jesus Christ, to life fully the way of Jesus Christ, to tell courageously the truth of Jesus Christ.

 

O Help of Christians, protect us!
Bright Star of the sea, guide us!
Our Lady of Peace, pray for us!

 Given in Rome at St. Peter’s, 22 November 2001, Twenty-fourth of my pontificate John Paul II

Consecration of the Home to Mary Help of Christians

Consecration of the Home to Mary Help of Christians

Most holy Virgin Mary, appointed by God to be the Help of Christians, we choose you as the Mother and protectress of our home. We ask you to favour us with your powerful protection. Preserve our home from every danger, from fire, flood, lightning, storm, earthquake, thieves, vandals, and from every other danger. Bless us, protect us, defend us keep as your own all the people who dwell in our homes: protect them from all accidents and misfortunes, but above all obtain for them the most important grace of avoiding sin. Mary Help of Christians pray for all those who live in this home which is consecrated to you for all time. Amen.

Act of Consecration to Mary Help of Christians

Act of Consecration to Mary Help of Christians

O Mary Help of Christians, Patroness of Australia, Mother of Mercy, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners, we consecrate ourselves to your Immaculate Heart. To you we consecrate our country, our families, our hearts, and souls and all that we have. And in order that this consecration may be truly effective and lasting, we renew today the promises of our Baptism and Confirmation; and we undertake to live as good Christians – faithful to God, the Church and the Holy Father. We desire to pray the Rosary, partake in the Holy Eucharist, attach special importance to the first Saturday of the month and to work for the conversion of sinners. Furthermore we promise, O most holy Virgin, that we will zealously spread devotion to you, so that through our consecration to your Immaculate Heart and through your own intercession the coming of the Kingdom of Christ in the world may be hastened. Amen.

Novena to Our Lady Help of Christians

Novena to Our Lady Help of Christians

Feast Day: May 24th 

Day 1

O most holy Mary, Help of Christians and Patroness of Australia, we have recourse to Thee in these troubled times, when forces hostile to Thy Son threaten our beloved land. Mother of God, hear our prayers, and come to our assistance.

Hail Mary (3 times)
Glory be to the Father etc. (once)
Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.

Day 2

O most holy Mary, Help of Christians and Patroness of Australia, who by thy Patronage, hast so often delivered Christians from the fierce assault of their enemies, defend us now, we beseech Thee, from the modern enemies of Thy Son, so that the Truth which makes me free may continue to live in a free Australia.

Hail Mary (3 times)
Glory be to the Father etc. (once)
Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.

Day 3

O most holy Mary, Help of Christians and Patroness of Australia, who, by Thy powerful aid, hast vanquished so many heresies, help us we beseech Thee, to cling to our Faith against the modern attacks upon it. Mary Queen of Peace, restore the peace of Christ to the troubled world.

Hail Mary (3 times)
Glory be to the Father etc. (once)
Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.

Day 4

O most holy Mary, Help of Christians and Patroness of Australia, by Thine own courage and fortitude, inspire to perseverance all those who, in our day most suffer for their Faith. And through their sufferings, secure this grace for us that we also may faithfully and fearlessly profess our Catholic Fatih. Mary, Help of Christians, make us really Christians, and preserve our land for Christianity.

Hail Mary (3 times)
Glory be to the Father etc. (once)
Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.

Day 5

O Dear Mother Mary, Help of Christians and Patroness of Australia who, in the triumph of Pope Pius VII, showed thy powerful patronage, take under thy protection the whole Church, and specially her supreme Head on earth, the Holy Father. Defend her evermore from the assaults of so many of her enemies, deliver her from temporal sufferings, and ever assist her so that the barque of St. Peter, may triumph over the proud billows which strive to submerge it. And, Mother of God, we beseech Thee, from those same enemies secure our beloved Australia.

Hail Mary (3 times)
Glory be to the Father etc. (once)
Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.

Day 6

O most holy Mary, Help of Christians and Patroness of Australia, take under Thy powerful protection the Bishops, priests and faithful of the Church. Where they must suffer, sustain their sufferings, and grant them perseverance. Intensify their spirit of perfect obedience to the Fatih and their fervent zeal for souls. Bless their labours and keep Australia for the Fatih.

Hail Mary (3 times)
Glory be to the Father etc. (once)
Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.

Day 7

O Mary, Help of Christians and Patroness of Australia gracious and bountiful mother, who with thy efficacious intercession has saved Christian people from plagues and from other corporal scourges, help us and deliver us now from the pest of impiety and irreligion, which in many ways seeks to find entrance into our souls to turn us away from the Church and the practices of religion. We beseech Thee, watch over the good that they may persevere, strengthen the weak, and call to repentance poor sinners, that truth and the kingdom of Jesus Christ may triumph here in Australia, so that They glory and the number of the elect may be increased in Heaven.

Hail Mary (3 times)
Glory be to the Father etc. (once)
Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.

Day 8

O Mary, Help of Christians and Patroness of Australia and pillar of the Church, we ask of thee to keep us firm in our holy Fatih, and to preserve in us the liberty of the children of God. With the help of grace, we promised neither to soil nor to fetter our souls with sin. We promise to live and die in the bosom of the Catholic Fatih and beg thee, to stem the Godless heresy that threatens our Fatih and our country’s freedom.

Hail Mary (3 times)
Glory be to the Father etc. (once)
Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.

Day 9

O most holy Mary, immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and Patroness of Australia, Queen of all the world and Help of Christians graciously have regard we pray Thee, for the safety of our Nation. Once in a world at peace, we choose Thee as Patron. Now, when there is no peace, we beseech Thy powerful protection.

Mother of God, save us from the Godless.
Queen of all the world, reign in our land.
Help of Christians, help us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Hail Mary (3 times)
Glory be to the Father etc. (once)
Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.