Consecrations to St. Joseph

The consecration to St. Joseph is an act of total and trusting surrender to the protection and intercession of the glorious Patriarch of the Holy Family. Through this devotion, we place ourselves under the protective mantle of the one whom God chose to be the guardian of Jesus and Mary.

St. Joseph, as the foster father of Jesus and most chaste spouse of Mary, holds a unique position in the economy of salvation. His mission of protecting and caring for the Holy Family continues today in the protection of the whole Church and of every faithful soul who consecrates themselves to him.

The consecration may be made individually or as a family, and is particularly recommended in times of difficulty, when we need special protection, or when we wish to grow in the spiritual life by following the example of St. Joseph's virtues.

Preparation

Before making the consecration, a few days of preparation with prayer, reflection on the virtues of St. Joseph, and, if possible, the sacrament of Confession to purify the soul is recommended.

Act of Total Consecration

O glorious St. Joseph, most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary and foster father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I choose you today as my father, protector, and guide on the path of holiness.

To you I consecrate myself entirely: my soul and my body, my outward and inward possessions, and the very merits of my good works, past, present, and future.

I renounce every right to dispose by myself of the spiritual merits that the goodness of God may grant me through your intercession, leaving you full freedom to apply them as you see fit for the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls.

In exchange for this offering, O most chaste Patriarch, I beseech you to receive me as your child and to assist me in every moment of my life. Obtain for me a filial devotion to Jesus and Mary; the grace to grow daily in holiness; the strength needed to fulfill my duties of state; protection against the dangers of body and soul; and the grace of a holy death, attended by you, Jesus, and Mary.

O St. Joseph, from this moment you are my father, my protector, my guide, and my hope. I am your servant, and as a sign of my filial dependence, I wish always to carry with me this prayer of consecration.

O my protector, deign to bless me and accompany me always, that I may live and die in holiness in your company, in the company of Jesus and Mary. Amen.

For Times of Difficulty

O glorious St. Joseph, who faced with unshakable faith the tribulations and persecutions that threatened the Holy Family, I come to you in this moment of trial.

Just as you protected Jesus and Mary in the flight to Egypt and in all the difficulties of earthly life, I consecrate myself entirely to your paternal protection in this hour of need.

Receive, O St. Joseph, this my tribulation [state the situation] and intercede for me before the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. If it be the will of God and for the good of my soul, obtain for me relief in this affliction.

But if this cross is part of the divine plan for my sanctification, grant me the strength and resignation needed to carry it with love, following the example of Jesus Christ.

Under your protection, O most chaste Patriarch, I fear nothing. You who were the mainstay of the Holy Family, be also my support in this storm. May this trial be transformed into a source of grace and spiritual growth.

St. Joseph, my father and protector, I abandon myself entirely into your paternal hands. Care for me as you cared for Jesus and Mary. Amen.

Family Consecration

This prayer is to be led by the head of the family, with all members gathered together.

O glorious St. Joseph, head of the Holy Family of Nazareth, who received from God the mission to protect and sustain Jesus and Mary, we choose you today as the protector and patron of our family.

To you we consecrate our home, our parents, our children, our possessions, and our activities. We place under your protection our household, that it may always be a sanctuary of peace, love, and Christian virtue.

Obtain for the parents of this family wisdom to raise their children in the faith, patience in difficulties, strength in work, and generosity in service to those in need. Give to mothers the example of Most Holy Mary and to fathers your own example of protection, labor, and dedication to family.

Protect our children from all dangers of body and soul. Keep them in innocence and purity, guide them in discovering their vocation, and accompany them in every moment of their lives.

Defend our family from the attacks of the evil one, from discord, from temptation, and from all that could harm our unity and our faith. Make our home a true cenacle where prayer, love, and joyful service to God abound.

O St. Joseph, protector of families, bless our home. May the peace of Christ reign among us, may the love of Mary unite us, and may your protection accompany us always. We wish to live and die under your guardianship, in the hope of being eternally reunited in heaven with Jesus, Mary, and you. Amen.

Prayer of Renewal

To be prayed periodically, especially on the 19th of each month, on the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19), and on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker (May 1).

O my dear St. Joseph, I renew today with joy and gratitude my consecration to you. During the time I have been under your protection, I have experienced your paternal goodness and your powerful intercession.

Forgive me if at times I have not corresponded as I should to your protection, if I have not invoked you with sufficient trust, or if I have not imitated your virtues as I had promised.

Renewing my total surrender to you, I promise to strive more earnestly to live according to your example: in purity, humility, obedience, work, and love for Jesus and Mary.

Continue to be my father, protector, and guide. Help me to grow in holiness and to give always a good Christian example. Intercede for all my needs and those of my family.

St. Joseph, renew in me the spirit of consecration and grant that my life may always be a hymn of praise to God and of gratitude for your protection. Amen.

St. Joseph, Model for the Young

O St. Joseph, model of purity and chastity, I, a young person who desires to serve God and build a holy future, consecrate myself entirely to you.

Protect my youth from all dangers that threaten the purity of body and soul. Grant me strength to resist the temptations of the world and courage to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Enlighten me in the choice of my vocation. If God calls me to marriage, help me to prepare worthily and to find a person who will help me walk toward heaven. If He calls me to the consecrated life, grant me generosity to respond with promptness.

Teach me to work with honesty and dedication, to study with diligence, and to use well the time that God grants me. May my youth be a solid preparation for a virtuous and holy adult life.

St. Joseph, protector of youth, keep me always under your paternal protection. Amen.

Recommended Practices

• Daily prayer: Pray a prayer to St. Joseph every day, especially in the morning and at night.
• The 19th: Do something special on the 19th of each month in honor of St. Joseph.
• Imitation of virtues: Strive to imitate the virtues of St. Joseph: humility, purity, obedience, work, silence.
• Medal or image: Wear a medal or carry an image of St. Joseph as an outward sign of your consecration.
• Spread the devotion: Promote devotion to St. Joseph among family and friends.

Renewal

The consecration should be renewed periodically, especially:

• On March 19 (Feast of St. Joseph)
• On May 1 (St. Joseph the Worker)
• On the 19th of each month
• In times of special need