Holy Cloak of St. Joseph

What is the Holy Cloak in honor of Saint Joseph?

The prayer of the Holy Cloak is a special homage dedicated to St. Joseph to honor his person and to deserve his protection. It is advisable to pray these prayers for thirty consecutive days, in memory of the thirty years of life lived by Saint Joseph in the company of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

There are countless graces obtained from God by means of St. Joseph. In order to facilitate his assistance, however, it is good to accompany these prayers with the promise of an offering to honor St. Joseph. It is good to confess, participate in Holy Mass and receive Holy Communion daily. Another is to piously remember the souls of purgatory praying and sacrificing ourselves for them, to relieve them and free them from their sorrows.

With the same solicitude with which we wipe away the tears of the poor who need help, we can expect St. Joseph to wipe away our tears. This is how the cloak of his protection will mercifully spread over us and will be a valid defense against all dangers, so that we may all come with the grace of the Lord to the doors of eternal salvation.

St. Joseph smiles on us favorably and always blesses us.
​
St. Joseph, comforter of the afflicted, pray for us!

Prayers for the Novena of the Holy Cloak

                               In the name of the Father; and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

                                       Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
 
(Recite 3 Glory Be in thanksgiving to the Holy Trinity for having exalted St Joseph to a position of such great dignity.)
 
Invocation to the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.  Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.  And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray. O God, Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Apostolic Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.  He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. 
Amen.

OFFERING
O Glorious Patriarch St Joseph, I humbly prostrate myself before you. I beg the Lord Jesus, your immaculate Spouse, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the Angels and Saints in the Heavenly Court, to join me in this devotion. I offer you this precious cloak, while pledging my sincerest faith and devotion. I promise to do all in my power to honor you throughout my lifetime to prove my love for you.
 
Help me, St Joseph. Assist me now and throughout my lifetime, but especially at the moment of my death, as you were assisted by Jesus and Mary, that I may join you one day in Heaven and there honor you for all eternity. Amen
 
O Glorious Patriarch St Joseph, prostrate, before you and your Divine Son, Jesus, I offer you, with heartfelt devotion, this precious treasury of prayers, being ever mindful of the numerous virtues which adorned your sacred person. In you, O Glorious Patriarch, was fulfilled the dream of your precursor the first Joseph, who indeed seemed to have been sent by God to prepare the way for your presence on this Earth. In fact, not only were you surrounded by the shining splendor of the rays of the Divine Sun, Jesus, but you were splendidly reflected in the brilliant light of the mystic moon, the Blessed Virgin Mary. O Glorious Patriarch, if the example of the ancient Jacob, who personally went to congratulate his favorite son, who was exalted on the throne of Egypt, served to bring all his progeny there, should not the example of Jesus and Mary, who honored you with their greatest respect and trust, serve to bring me, your devoted servant, to present you with this precious cloak in your honor.
Grant, O Great St Joseph, that Almighty God may turn a benevolent glance toward me. As the ancient Joseph did not reject his guilty and cruel brothers, but rather accepted them with love and protected and saved them from hunger and death - I beseech you, O Glorious Patriarch, through your intercession, grant that the Lord may never abandon me in this exiled valley of sorrows. Grant that he may always number me as one of your devoted servants who live serenely under the patronage of your Holy Cloak. Grant that I may live always within the protection of this patronage, every day of my life and particularly at that moment when I draw my dying breath.
 
PRAYERS
 
1.  Hail O Glorious St Joseph, you who are entrusted with the priceless treasures of Heaven and Earth and foster-father of Him who nourishes all creatures of the universe. You are, after Mary, the Saint most worthy of our love and devotion.  You alone, above all the Saints, were chosen for that supreme honor of rearing, guiding, nourishing and even embracing the Messiah, whom so many Kings have Prophets would have so desired to behold.
 
St Joseph, save my soul and obtain for me from the Divine Mercy of God that petition for which I humbly pray.  And for the holy souls in Purgatory, grant a great comfort from their pain.
 
(Recite 3 Glory Be to the Father)
 
2.  O Powerful St Joseph, you were proclaimed the Patron of the Universal Church, therefore, I invoke you, above all the other Saints, as the greatest protector of the afflicted, and I offer countless blessings to your most generous heart, always ready to help in any need.
 
To you, O Glorious St. Joseph, come the widows, the orphans, the abandoned, the afflicted, the oppressed. There is no sorrow, heartache or anguish which you have not consoled.  Deign, I beseech you, to use on my behalf those gifts which God has given you, until I too shall be granted the answer to my petition.
 
And you, Holy Souls in Purgatory, pray to St. Joseph for me.
 
(Recite 3 Glory Be to the Father)
 
3. Countless are those who have prayed to you before me and have received comfort and peace, graces and favors. My heart, so sad and sorrowful, cannot find rest in the midst of this trial which besets me.  O Glorious St Joseph, you know all my needs even before I set them forth in prayer. You know how important this petition is for me. I prostrate myself before you as I sigh under the heavy weight of the problem which confronts me.
 
There is no human heart in which I can confide my sorrow; and even if I should find a compassionate creature who would be willing to assist me, still he would be unable to help me. Only you can help me in my sorrow, St Joseph, and I beg you to hear my plea.
 
Has not St Theresa left it written in her dialogues - that the world may always know - "Whatever you ask of St Joseph, you shall receive."
 
O St Joseph, comforter of the afflicted, have pity on my sorrow and pity on those poor souls who place so much hope in their prayers to you.
 
(Recite 3 Glory Be to the Father)
 
4. O Sublime Patriarch St Joseph, because of you perfect obedience to God, you may intercede for me.
 
For your holy life full of grace and merit, hear my prayer.
For your most sweet name, help me.
For your most holy tears, comfort me.
For your seven sorrows, intercede for me.
For your seven joys, console me.
From all harm of body and soul, deliver me.
From all danger and disaster, save me.
 
Assist me with your powerful intercession and seek for me, through your power and mercy, all that is necessary for my salvation and particularly the favor of which I now stand in such great need.
 
(Recite 3 Glory Be to the Father)
 
5.  O Glorious St Joseph, countless are the graces and favors which you have obtained for afflicted souls. Illness of every nature, those who are oppressed, persecuted, betrayed, bereft of all human comfort, even those in need of their life bread - all who implore your powerful intercession are comforted in their affliction.
 
Do not permit, O dearest St Joseph, that I alone be the only one of all who have appealed to you, to be denied this petition which I so earnestly beg of you. Show your kindness and generosity even to me, that I may cry out in thanksgiving, "Eternal glory to our Holy Patriarch St Joseph, my great protector on Earth and the defender of the Holy Souls in Purgatory."
 
(Recite 3 Glory Be to the Father)
 
6.  Eternal Father, Who art in Heaven, through the merits of Jesus and Mary, I beg you to grant my petition. In the name of Jesus and Mary I prostrate myself before Your Divine presence and I beseech you to accept my hopeful plea to persevere in my prayers that I may be numbered among the throngs of those who live under the patronage of St Joseph.
 
Extend Your blessing on this precious treasury of prayers which I today offer to him as a pledge of my devotion.
(Recite 3 Glory Be to the Father)
 
Section 2:  Supplications in Honor of St Joseph's Hidden Life With Jesus and Mary
St Joseph, pray that Jesus may come into my soul and sanctify me.
St Joseph, pray that Jesus may come into my heart and inspire it with charity.
St Joseph, pray that Jesus may come into my mind and enlighten it.
St Joseph, pray that Jesus may guide my will and strengthen it.
St Joseph, pray that Jesus may direct my thoughts and purify them.
St Joseph, pray that Jesus may guide my desires and direct them.
St Joseph, pray that Jesus may look upon my deeds and extend His blessings.
St Joseph, pray that Jesus may inflame me with love for Him.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus the imitation of your virtues.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus true humility of spirit.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus meekness of heart.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus peace of soul.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus a holy fear of the Lord.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus a desire for perfection.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus a gentleness of heart.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus a pure and charitable heart.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus a holy acceptance of suffering.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus the wisdom of faith.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus his blessing of perseverance in my good deeds.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus the strength to carry my crosses.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus a disdain for the material goods of this world.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus the grace to always walk on the narrow path towards Heaven.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus the grace to avoid all occasion of sin.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus a holy desire for eternal bliss.
St Joseph, request for me from Jesus the grace of final perseverance.
St Joseph, do not abandon me.
St Joseph, pray that my heart may never cease to love you and that my lips may ever praise you.
St Joseph, for the love you bore for Jesus, grant that I may learn to love him
St Joseph, graciously accept me as your devoted servant.
St Joseph, I give myself to you; accept my pleas and hear my prayers.
St Joseph, do not abandon me at the hour of my death.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my Soul.
 
(Recite 3 Glory Be to the Father)
 
Section 3 -- Invocations to St Joseph
I:
Remember O most chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, my good protector St Joseph, that never was it known that anyone who came to your protection, and sought your intercession was left unaided. Confidently I prostrate myself before you and fervently beg for your powerful intervention.  O foster - Father of our dear Redeemer, despise not my petition, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.
 
II:
Glorious St Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and virginal father of Jesus, look upon me and watch over me; lead me on the path of sanctifying grace; take heed of the urgent needs which I now beg you to envelop within the folds of your fatherly cloak. Dismiss those obstacles and difficulties standing in the way of my prayer and grant that the happy answer to my petition may serve for the greater glory of God and my eternal salvation. As a pledge of my undying gratitude, I promise to spread the word of your glory while offering thanks to the Lord for having so blessed your power and might in Heaven and Earth.
 
Section 4 -- Litany to Saint Joseph
 
Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us
Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, hear us
Christ, graciously hear us
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us
Holy Mary, Pray for us
St Joseph, Pray for us
Blessed offspring of David, Pray for us
Light of Patriarchs, pray for us
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us
Chaste custodian of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us
Guardian of the Son of God, pray for us
Defender of the Son of God, pray for us
Defender of Christ, pray for us
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us
O Joseph, most just, pray for us
O Joseph, most chase, pray for us
O Joseph, most prudent, pray for us
O Joseph, most valiant, pray for us
O Joseph, most obedient, pray for us
O Joseph, most faithful, pray for us
Mirror of patience, pray for us
Lover of poverty, pray for us
Model of laborers, pray for us
Patriarch of the home, pray for us
Protector of virgins, pray for us
Strength of the family, pray for us
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us
Hope of the sick, pray for us
Patron of the dying, pray for us
Terror of Demons, pray for us
Protector of the Church, pray for us,
Lamb of God, you who takes away the sins of the world, forgive us O Lord
Lamb of God, you who takes away the sins of the world, hear us O Lord,
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
 
Let Us Pray:
Lord Jesus, through the merits of the devoted spouse of Your most Holy Mother, help us, we beseech thee, that which we cannot obtain for ourselves, may be granted through the intercession of the Most Holy Patriarch, St Joseph. You who reign with God, the Father, in unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
 
Closing Prayer of the Holy Cloak
 
O Glorious Patriarch St Joseph, you who were chosen by God above all men to be the earthly head of the most holy of families, I beseech you to accept me within the folds of your Holy Cloak, that you may become the guardian and custodian of my soul.
 
From this moment on, I choose you as my father, my protector, my counselor, my patron and I beseech you to place in your custody my body, soul, all that I am, all that I possess, my life and my death.
 
Look upon me as one of your Children; defend me from the treachery of my enemies, invisible of otherwise, assist me at all times in all my necessities; console me in the bitterness of my life, and especially at the hour of my death.  Say but one word for me to the divine Redeemer whom you were deemed worthy to hold in your arms, and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, your most chaste spouse.  Request for me those blessings which will lead me to salvation. Include me among those who are most dear to you and I shall set forth to prove myself worthy of your special patronage. Amen.
 
Prayer to Saint Joseph
 
To thee do we cry in our tribulations, O Blessed Saint Joseph, as we confidently invoke your patronage, after that of your most holy spouse, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
 
By the sacred bond of devotion which linked you to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother Of God, and for the fatherly love you lavished on the child, Jesus, we beg you to cast a glance on those heavenly gifts which the Divine Redeemer has obtained for all mankind through his Precious Blood and through your power and mercy, help us in our needs.
 
O holy protector of the Holy Family, protect us children of the Lord Jesus Christ; keep far from us the errors and evils which corrupt the world; assist us from Heaven in our struggles against the powers of darkness. And as you once protected the Divine Child from the cruel edict of Herod, now defend the Church and Keep it safe from all dangers and threats; spread over all of us your holy patronage so that by following your example and aided by your spiritual guidance, we may all aspire to a virtuous life, look to a holy death and secure for ourselves the blessings of eternal happiness in Heaven. Amen.