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DEAR St.  Joseph,  foster-father  of  our  divine  Redeemer, and spouse  of  our  holy  Mother  Mary,  thou  didst  live with them  and  toil  for  them  through  all  the  years  of  the  hidden life, and  thou  didst  die  in  their  arms. By the  love  thou  bearest  to  them  and  the  love  they  bear  to  thee,  pray  for  us  always, and guard  us. Obtain for  us,  O  patron  of  a  happy  death, the grace  to  live  and  die  in  God's  love  and  favor,  that  we may  spend  our  eternity  with  Jesus  and  Mary  and  with  thee, O dear  St. Joseph.

HE Sovereign  Pontiff,  Pius  IX.,  Nov.  28,  1876,  granted  to all  the  faithful  who,  with  contrite  heart,  devoutly  make at any  time  during  the  year  the  novena  in  honor  of  St.  Joseph, spouse of  Mary  most  holy,  with  any  formula  of  prayer,  provided it  be  approved  by  competent  ecclesiastical  authority, an indulgence  of  300  days,  once  a  day;  plenary  indulgence on usual  conditions.

St. Joseph,  model  and  patron  of  those  who  love  the Sacred Heart  of  Jesus,  pray  for  us.

Indulgence of 100  days,  once  a  day.-— Leo  XIII.,  Dec. 19, 1891.

EMEMBER, O  most  pure  spouse  of  the  Blessed Virgin Mary,  my  sweet  protector  St. Joseph! that no one  ever  had  recourse  to  thy  protection  or  implored thy aid  without  obtaining  relief. Confiding therefore  in thy  goodness,  I  come  before  thee,  and  humbly  supplicate thee. Oh, despise  not  my  petitions,  foster-father  of  the Redeemer, but  graciously  receive  them. Amen.

Indulgence of 300  days,  once  a  day. — Pius IX.,  June  26,  1863.

TERNAL Father,  by  Thy  love  for  St.  Joseph,  whom Thou didst  select  from  among  all  men  to  represent Thee upon  earth,  have  mercy  on  us  and  on  the  dying.

Our Father,  Hail  Mary,  Glory  be  to  the  Father.