St. Joseph, Hope of the Sick, Pray for Us

The next title of St. Joseph found in our St. Joseph Chapel is Hope of Sick. This title again would be important and invoked by the Sisters of St. Joseph because of their involvement in hospital ministry.

“God has healed many people through the intercession of St. Joseph, such as St. Teresa of Avilla. St. Therese of Lisieux would have died in infancy were it not for the intercession of St. Joseph. Her mother and father, now St. Louis and St. Zelie, implored and prayed before his statue for his help and his powerful blessing.” St. Joseph, Hope of the Sick, Pray for Us - St. Teresa of the Child Jesus (stcm.org.uk)

There is an interesting story associated with this title of St. Joseph. In 1847 when a typhoid epidemic threatened the village of Bytown, now Ottawa, the chaplain placed a statue of St. Joseph in the church where people gathered each day. The disease quickly disappeared. Hope of Sick in 1847 Typhoid Epidemic – Oblates of St. Joseph (osjusa.org)

From these examples, we can see that St. Joseph is a powerful intercessor for the sick. In our times of pandemic, invoking St. Joseph under this title, especially in this Year of St. Joseph would be most encouraging for those who pray for the sick or are experiencing sickness.

Below is a nice prayer to St. Joseph, Hope of the Sick that might be used when praying for the sick.

Benevolent Joseph, the Son of God placed his life in your hands. With Mary, you cared for Him who is the force of life. May your compassion enfold our fragility, bringing us the comfort of the divine presence.

We join with you in prayer, saying:

Lord Jesus, Son of Living God, say a word for our healing ! » Make us sensitive to the illnesses of those close to us. Support our efforts and grant us courage in the fight against all evil.

Help us to find meaning in God’s great project for humanity beyond the sicknesses and sufferings that blind our sight. The love of God be with us, as our hope lies with Him. Amen.  St. Joseph, Hope of the Sick (www.ourparishpriest.blogspot.com)

1928 St. Joseph Statue
The is the oldest statue of St. Joseph on campus, arriving in October of 1928. Made of Carrara marble, the statue was placed in what was then called St. Joseph’s Circle in front of the 1904 St. Joseph Academy building. This building was razed in 1977 and the statue was moved to its current location in front of the retreat center by the Tebbe family and Martin Quinn in 1978.