Patron of Carpenters

To provide for his family, St. Joseph worked as a carpenter. The original word in the Gospel is tekton which means “craftsman” or “artisan,” thereby suggesting that he could well have been a builder of homes as well as a carpenter. St. Joseph left an example to all those who must earn their bread by work of their hands, which constitutes an overwhelming majority of mankind; and therefore, he is the principal patron in the world of work.

St. Joseph is also referred to as the Model of Artisans. This is a beautiful title that reminds us that St. Joseph was fully human–talented, hard-working, with an eye for beauty and quality. At our baptism, God gives us spiritual gifts (charisms), which are special abilities to enable us to be channels of God’s love and presence in the world. Some are given the charism of craftsmanship which empowers an individual to be an effective channel of God’s grace to others through artistic or creative work that beautifies and/or orders the physical world. It is quite possible that St. Joseph had the charism of craftsmanship.

Today, God continues to give the Body of Christ a variety of gifts through which He can continue to make His presence known in the world. Those of you who have the gift of craftsmanship have a special intercessor in St. Joseph. St. Joseph can help you to glorify God by practicing your trade with integrity and skill. 

Let us pray the St. Joseph Prayer for Workers to honor carpenters, artists, and craftsman:

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.

Teach me to see in my fellow workers

the Christ who desires to be in them,

that I may always be charitable and forbearing

towards all.

Grant me to look upon work

with the eyes of faith,

so that I shall recognize in it

my share in God’s own creative activity

and in Christ’s work of our redemption,

and so take pride in it.

When it is pleasant and productive,

remind me to give thanks to God for it.

And when it is burdensome,

teach me to offer it to God,

in reparation for my sins

and the sins of the world.

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.

 Daily Challenge

What are some of the charisms or spiritual gifts that God has given you? Reflect on how you are using these to bring beauty to your world. Is there some small way you might use your gifts to better channel God’s love and presence? Ask for the grace and opportunity to do so.

Litany of St. Joseph

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
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 Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Noble Offspring of David, pray for us.
Light of 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.
Zealous 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 Courageous, 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 Workmen, pray for us.
Glory of Domestic Life, pray for us.
Guardian of Virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of Families, pray for us.
Comfort of the Afflicted, pray for us.
Hope of the Sick, pray for us.
Patron of the Dying, pray for us.
Terror of Demons, pray for us.
Protector of the Holy Church, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
He has made him lord of his household,
And prince over all his possessions.

Let us pray. O God, who, in your loving providence, chose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most Holy Mother, grant us the favor of having him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our protector. You, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

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