A Prayer to Be Grateful

Help me, Lord, overcome the envy
that makes me sad
over my neighbor's success or good fortune.
Remove me from this web of bitterness
that posions my heart and mind
and leads me to complain about the blessings
you have granted to those I should consider
my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Set me free from the moral blindness
of envy and arrogance that lead me
to question your wisdom and freedom
in the distribution of your gifts or rewards.
Remind me that in every case, you know best.

Teach me to rejoice wholeheartedly
with those who rejoice
because of your blessings,
for this is what real Christian love
and solidarity means.
Teach me to count my blessings---
the numberless blessings you have showered
and still shower on me, day after day,
minute after minute.
Teach me to rejoice in them with a grateful heart
as Mary and all the saints did,
knowing that all the good things in life
are gifts that come from you.
Teach me to use these gifts well,
the very best way I can,
with wisdom and creativity,
for that will be my clearest thanks to you,
the source of all my blessings,
the source of all my joy.

Pastorale

Prayer to St. Joseph the Workman

Prayer to St. Joseph the Workman
(composed by Pope St. Pius X)

O glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace

to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations,

to work with gratitude and joy, in a spirit of penance for the remission of my sins, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God,

to work with order, peace, moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties,

to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account that I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God.

All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thine example, O Patriarch, St. Joseph. Such shall be my watchword in life and in death.

Amen.

Novena to St. Joseph

It's St. Joseph's Feast Day on March 19, and so today (March 11) would be a fitting day to start a novena. :)

There are short novenas, of course, consisting of just one prayer every day for nine days. Two examples follow below:

NOVENA PRAYER

Oh Saint Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.

Oh Saint Joseph, 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 below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the Loving of Fathers.

Oh Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and 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.

Saint Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us.

Amen.

NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER 

O God, the Creator of all things, You have laid the law of labor upon the human race. Grant, we beseech You, that by the example and protection of St. Joseph we may perform the work You command and attain to the reward that You promise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

But because I want this novena to be special, I looked for relatively long ones. Here are two:

1. Medidate on nine points (one each day) regarding St. Joseph---father, husband, chosen by the Blessed Trinity, faithful servant, patron of the Church, patron of families, patron of workers, friend in suffering, and patron of a happy death.
http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/novena/joseph.htm

2. Medidate on four points everyday regarding St. Joseph---fidelity to grace, fidelity to interior life, love for Mary, and love for Jesus.
http://www.catholictradition.org/Joseph/joseph12.htm

There are also more prayers that can be used as novenas on the following website:
https://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/Favorite-Prayers-to-St-Joseph

(image taken from http://www.hoseahouse.org/chapel/images/sjoseph.gif)