During his earthly life, St. Joseph was the divinely-appointed guardian and protector of the Child Jesus and His Holy Mother.
This mission did not end when he died—death expanded his mission to include all members of the Body of Christ. St. Joseph continues his role from heaven as the guardian and protector of the Catholic Church.
We can always turn to the manly strength and powerful intercession of the pure and chaste Joseph.
The powerful prayer Ad Te Beáte Ioseph (To thee, O Blessed Joseph) was composed by Pope Leo XIII. It asks the Guardian of the Holy Family to defend the Church from the snares laid for us by the Enemy of our souls. Pope Leo recommended that the faithful recite this prayer daily during the month of October along with the Holy Rosary and the Litany of Loreto—but you can pray this prayer any time!
Let us entrust ourselves with great confidence to St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church and Terror of Demons.
Ad Te Beáte Ioseph
To thee, O blessed Joseph, do we have recourse in our tribulation, and, having implored the help of thy thrice-holy Spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also. By that charity wherewith thou wast united to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by that fatherly affection with which thou didst embrace the Child Jesus, we beseech thee and we humbly pray, that thou wouldst look graciously upon the inheritance which Jesus Christ hath purchased by His Blood, and assist us in our needs by thy power and strength.
Most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen people of Jesus Christ; keep far from us, most loving father, all blight of error and corruption: mercifully assist us from Heaven, most mighty defender, in this our conflict with the powers of darkness; and, even as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the supreme peril of His life, so now defend God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; keep us one and all under thy continual protection, that we may be supported by thine example and thine assistance, may be enabled to lead a holy life, die a happy death and come at last to the possession of everlasting blessedness in Heaven. Amen.
