Feast Day of Saint Joseph the Worker

Joseph, by the work of your hands

and the sweat of your brow,

you supported Jesus and Mary,

and had the Son of God as your fellow worker.

Teach me to work as you did,

with patience and perseverance, for God and

for those whom God has given me to support.

Teach me to see in my fellow workers

the Christ who desires to be in them,

that I may always be charitable and forbearing

towards all.

Grant me to look upon work

with the eyes of faith,

so that I shall recognize in it

my share in God's own creative activity

and in Christ's work of our redemption,

and so take pride in it.

When it is pleasant and productive,

remind me to give thanks to God for it.

And when it is burdensome,

teach me to offer it to God,

in reparation for my sins

and the sins of the world.

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Please keep all workers in your prayers, especially those who work to support a family (often tirelessly, with little pay and at the expense of time with children). Pray for all immigrants and their relationship with our government, that justice would be served in recognizing these people for their sacrifices and contributions to our communities. Pray for those who do the "dirty work" we so easily turn our eyes from; the sweepers and baggers and trash collectors and countless, nameless others without whom our castles would crumble. Pray for those who are without work for whatever reason. May we see never become so entrenched in politics that we neglect to see each person we encounter, every day, as a unique soul created in God's image.