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One of the most popular prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary is known as the “Memorare,” and is named after the first word of the prayer in Latin. However, the prayer is not the only “Memorare” in the Church’s rich treasury of prayers, as there is also a prayer known as the “Memorare of St. Joseph.”
Devotion to St. Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus, can be traced back many centuries. He remains to this day one of the most popular saints of the Church’s 2,000 year history, second only to the Blessed Virgin Mary, his most beloved spouse.
In this context, it is not surprising to see one of the most popular Marian prayers converted into one that focuses on St. Joseph.
There are a few different versions of this prayer. The one that follows below became popular in the 19th century. It alludes to a quote from St. Teresa of Avila where she said, “It is now very many years since I began asking [St. Joseph] for something on his feast, and I always received it. If the petition was in any way amiss, he rectified it for my greater good.”
Remember, O most amiable, most benevolent, most kind, and most merciful father, St. Joseph, that the great St. Teresa assures us, that she never had recourse to thy protection without obtaining relief. Animated with this same confidence, O dear St. Joseph, I come to thee and groaning under the heavy burden of my many sins, I prostrate myself at your feet. O most compassionate father, do not, I beseech thee, reject my poor and miserable prayers, but graciously hear and obtain my petitions. Amen.
St. Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart, pray for us.
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And today we celebrate...