A nod to St. Joseph the Worker

Today is the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.

He is, of course, my assigned saint for the year. He’s also my confirmation name (my middle name is Francis, so I have two saints I like as part of my name).

Pope Pius XII created the feast in May 1, 1955 – a month before I was born. Pius reportedly did it as a response to the “May Day” celebrations for workers sponsored by Communists.

Of course, he’s long been associated with work anyway. So many of the depictions of Joseph are of him at work in his shop (sometimes with Jesus).

Here’s a little prayer for the occasion:

Prayer to Saint Joseph, Patron of Workers

Glorious Saint Joseph, you are the pattern of all who work. Obtain for me, please, the grace to work conscientiously and to put devotion to duty before my selfish inclinations. Help me to labor in thankfulness and joy, for it is an honor to employ and to develop by my labor the gifts I have received from almighty God. Grant that I may work in orderliness, peace, moderation and patience without shrinking from weariness and difficulties. I offer my fatigue and perplexities as reparation for sin. I shall work, above all, with a pure intention and with detachment from self, having always before my eyes the hour of death and the accounting which I must then render of time ill-spent, of talents unemployed, of good undone, and of empty pride in success, which is so fatal to the work of God. For Jesus through Mary, all in imitation of you, good Saint Joseph. This shall be my motto in life and in death. Amen.