St. Joseph, Pray for Us
“Not Fit For a King” By Mary Faucheux
St. Joseph, Pray for Us
By Madison Wurth
“My God, I love you. Help me with the grace to perform this action according to Your divine good pleasure.”
This prayer is repeated each day in the 31 Day Novena to Saint Joseph, and it is taken from St. Joseph as Seen by Mystics and Historians. These words were believed to be said by St. Joseph, himself—a Saint who is known for his quiet and faithful obedience in the Scriptures.
About four years ago, I was asked to pray this Novena, and as a fervent Catholic, I said, “Yes.” But, in all honesty, I did not really get people’s connection to St. Joseph, and in a Church as diverse as the Catholic Church with numerous devotions and ways to know the Lord’s Heart, I did not feel like I had a need for him. Despite this, I sincerely sought his prayer for the duration of the Novena, repeating St. Joseph’s prayer each day: “My God, I love you…”.
At the end of the Novena, I still did not feel closer to him, spiritually. Even though I admired St. Joseph, his interior life, and his role in Our Lord’s life, I accepted that I might not have a strong devotion to him. Then, a few months later in prayer, and during a season of suffering, the Lord opened my eyes to see that St. Joseph had brought my prayers and petitions close to His Heart. More specifically, he answered my prayer the day the Novena finished—albeit, differently than I could understand at the time, and in a way that brought about more faith and trust. Suddenly, I realized how much St. Joseph’s gentle, paternal care had been near to me without me even knowing it—a quiet and obedient Saint, indeed.
Since then, I have prayed this Novena multiple times, all with varying intentions, and each time, St. Joseph reveals something about my heart and the Lord’s Providence that is profound and necessary for my personal and spiritual growth. I have learned how powerful he is as an intercessor and as a spiritual father, and three years ago, I sought his guidance even more by completing a Consecration to Jesus through him.
Today, on his Feast Day, I encourage you to seek St. Joseph in your spiritual life. Ask him to pray for you, your family, and your most precious intentions, and be vulnerable with him, knowing that Our Lord Jesus shared His Heart with him in a similar way as a boy. May we learn from his quiet obedience, his willingness to love the Lord in his meekness, and his trust in the Providence of our Almighty God. If you feel called to, pray as St. Joseph prayed, “My God, I love you. Help me with the grace to perform this action according to Your divine good pleasure,” and patiently allow him to bring your petitions to the Lord’s Heart. It may take time, but he is quietly and obediently praying for you in the waiting. St. Joseph, Pray for us!
Previously, a Broadway performer in NYC, Madison is now a Certified Pilates Instructor and Cantor at her Parish based in San Diego County, CA. She is newly married to her best friend, Ben, and she is looking forward to all that God has in store for them in this Vocation.
Mary Faucheux is a Catholic convert, wife, work from home mom, and artist. Her goal is to share the joy of the Lord through modern, Catholic art through her art business Simply Joyful Prints!