On May 1, 1955, Pope Pius XII established a new feast day in the Church’s calendar, dedicating May 1 to “St. Joseph the Worker.” He sought to affirm the rights of workers and to put forth St. Joseph as the supreme model.
[As] the Vicar of Christ, we wish to reaffirm highly, on this day of May 1 … the dignity of work, and [to] inspire social life and laws, based on a fair share of rights and duties … [We have determined to] establish the liturgical feast of St. Joseph the Worker, assigning it precisely on the 1st of May … because the humble craftsman of Nazareth not only embodies the dignity of the arm of the worker … he is also always the guardian of you and your families.
Pope St. Pius X had similar desires when he composed a prayer to “St. Joseph the Worker.” It is a prayer that recognizes the great dignity of work and how it can be offered to God as a sacrifice, pleasing in his sight. St. Joseph has always been the supreme example of this type of holy work, teaching his son, Jesus, how to work with great care and precision, giving to God his best work possible.
Before beginning your next workday, consider praying this simple, yet powerful prayer to St. Joseph. He will help you utilize your talents, turning the “daily grind” into something beautiful for God.
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 motto in life and in death. Amen.
Looking for more prayers? Check out our page of “Prayers for a Particular Need.”
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Why is there a feast for St Joseph the Worker?
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