Saint Joseph the Worker

I bid you greetings of great joy on this feast of him whose name I bear.

I hope that the priests at your parishes celebrated the Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker, optional though it is.

I find it rather sad that this feast is optional because Joseph, as it seems to me, is one of the most neglected of the saints. And yet, this seems to fit his personality and the example of humble, quiet and patient love he has given us.

Glorious St. Joseph,
model of all who are devoted to labor,
obtain for me the grace to work
in the spirit of penance in expiation of my many sins;
to work conscientiously by placing love of duty
above my inclinations;
to gratefully and joyously deem it an honor
to employ and to develop by labor the gifts
I have received from God,
to work methodically, peacefully,
and in moderation and patience,
without ever shrinking from it
through weariness or difficulty to work;
above all, with purity of intention and unselfishness,
having unceasingly before my eyes death
and the account I have to render of time lost,
talents unused, good not done, and vain complacency in success,
so baneful to the work of God.
All for Jesus, all for Mary, all to imitate thee,
O patriarch St. Joseph!
This shall be my motto for life and eternity.

- Pope Pius IX