A Church Mouse Prayer

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Good morning Lord, It’s me again. I’ll start out with my progress report. Yesterday, I told you that I was going to do this, that, and the other thing.

Well I got this done, but I’ve had some problems with it, and I wish it were in a little bit better shape, so maybe it’s not quite done yet.

Now as to that thing, I haven’t gotten to that yet…

And the other thing, well I forgot all about it until just now.

So Lord, today, I ask You for the graces to help me get something done.

Thank You, for hearing my prayer dear Lord

Amen.

When I pray extemporaneously, it is upon extremely rare occasion that my eloquence reaches a level as high as is illustrated in the above example. Most times, I fall far short. This is why I have always preferred reading prayers in prayer books over rolling my own. In spite of my preferences, I do strive to pray extemporaneously every day, in silence. I consider it an act of humility; as well as an act of mercy for those around me.

When I was an adolescent, I received a notification from my Grandmother that she had enrolled me, for one year, as a member of the St. Joseph’s Guild which was sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph at Baden Pa. On the other side of the notice was “The Prayer to St. Joseph”. I have carried this very same prayer with me ever since.

The Prayer to St. Joseph

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.

This prayer was found in the fiftieth year of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In 1505 it was sent from the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Whoever shall read this prayer or hear it or keep it about themselves, shall never die a sudden death, or be drowned, not shall poison take effect of them; neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy; or shall be burned in any fire, or shall be overpowered in battle.

Say for nine mornings for anything you may desire. It has never been known to fail.

IMPRIMATUR: SEPTEMBER 25, 1950

HUGH C. BOYLE, Bishop of Pittsburgh

Now, some copies of this prayer that I have seen carry the advisory after that last sentence: “So be careful what you ask for”; however, the copy that carries an imprimatur is shown above. I also note that the request to have St. Joseph kiss the infant Jesus and to ask for the return of that kiss at the hour of death is a pretty stout request in and of itself. What else could you ask for?

RIP Churchmouse 5/2013