Hope of the Sick

God has healed many people through the intercession of St. Joseph. In 1847 when a typhoid epidemic threatened the village of Bytown in Ontario (now Ottawa), the chaplain placed a statue of St. Joseph in the church where people gathered each day. The disease quickly disappeared. St. Teresa of Avila was miraculously cured of a terrible illness after praying to St. Joseph, and in order to honor him, the first Convent that she founded was named after St. Joseph. St. Therese of Lisieux became deathly ill as an infant, but after her mother's prayers to St. Joseph, Therese was healed.

St. Joseph offers hope in times of sickness. If you or someone you know is sick, go to St. Joseph. Let us raise our voices in prayer for the intercession of Saint Joseph for those who are sick:

Benevolent Joseph, the Son of God placed his life in your hands. With the Virgin Mary, our Blessed Mother, you cared for the Child Jesus, who is the force of life in our world. May your compassion embrace our fragility and bring us the comfort of the divine presence.

Loving Saint Joseph, we join with you in prayer by crying out: Lord Jesus, Son of the Living God, say a word for our healing!

Make us sensitive to the illnesses of those closest to us. Support us in our efforts to care for our sick brothers and sisters. Give us courage in the fight against all evil.

Help us to find meaning in God's great project for humanity beyond the sickness and suffering that blind us. May the Love of God be with us, because our only hope is with Him.

We make this prayer through the intercession of Saint Joseph to Christ Jesus, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

St. Joseph, Hope of the Sick, pray for us! Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.

Daily Challenge

Pray a rosary with your family or throughout the day offering each decade for the healing of those you know who are sick in body, mind or spirit. Invite St Joseph to pray with you. Perhaps make a short call to a loved one who is ill to let them know they are in your prayers.