Good St. Joseph, pray for us!

You've got to hand it to Murillo - he sure does know how to capture St. Joseph and little Jesus!

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, we've got several pictures that speak to us today, and one gorgeous prayer that has obtained for me many favors in the past. I think it's because, far from imagining St. Joseph to take his sweet time, this prayer reminds him how quick and prompt he is to answer.

Can you imagine when Jesus called him? "Papa! Daddy!" I'm sure St. Joseph was captivated every time! So, too, when we call upon St. Joseph today, let's remind him: We are Jesus' little sisters and brothers! Dear Papa Joseph, hear our prayer and respond as if you are answering your dear little Jesus Himself! Only now that you are so happy in Heaven with our Savior and our Immaculate Mother, please obtain for us all that we need for ourselves and the whole world! And give our brother Marcel a quick tickle for us, too!

Awesome Prayer to the wonderful St. Joseph, our father, guardian, and friend:

With childlike confidence I present myself before you, O holy Joseph, faithful foster father of Jesus! I beg your compassionate intercession and support in this, my present necessity. . .

I firmly believe that you are most powerful near the throne of God, who chose you for the foster father of His well-beloved son, Jesus Christ. O blessed Saint, who saved that treasure of heaven, with His virginal mother, from the fury of His enemies, who with untiring industry supplied His earthly wants and with paternal care accompanied and protected Him in all the journeys of His childhood, take me also, for the love of Jesus, as your child. Assist me in my present difficulty with your prayers before God. The infinite goodness of Our Savior, who loved and honored you as His father upon earth, cannot refuse you any request now in heaven.

How many pious souls have sought help from you in their needs and have experienced, to their joy, how good, how ready you are to assist. How quickly you turn to those who call upon you with confidence! How powerful you are in bringing help and restoring joy to anxious and dejected hearts! Therefore, do I fly to you, O most worthy father of Jesus, most chaste spouse of Mary! Good St. Joseph, I pray you by the burning love you had for Jesus and Mary upon earth, console me in my distress and present my petition, through Jesus and Mary, before the throne of God! One word from you will move Him to assist my afflicted soul. Then most joyfully shall I praise Him and you, and most earnest shall be my thanksgiving! Amen!

Draw me, little Jesus who so loves St. Joseph, we will run!