The fear of future terrorist attacks, including the potential for biological warfare, may be overwhelming to some people. Dr. Joseph Evers, a pediatrician from McLean, would like to share with our readers “an unfailing prayer of protection.” It is the prayer to St. Joseph, protector of the Holy Family and patron of the Universal Church. St. Joseph also is venerated in connection with prayers offered for the grace of a happy death.
Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. Oh, St. Joseph I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for me.
According to Evers, this prayer was found in the 50th year of our Lord. In 1505 it was sent from the pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Church tradition states that “whoever reads this prayer or hears it or keeps it about themselves, shall never die a sudden death or be drowned, nor shall poison take effect on them, neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy, or shall be burned in any fire or shall be overpowered in battle.”
“I have faithfully said this prayer for many, many years and have experienced his unfailing protection,” said Evers. “On two occasions from potential fatal automobile accidents without a scratch and on another occasion when, with my wife off the coast of Puerto Rico, we were caught in an undertow and even though we are terrible swimmers, escaped being drowned.
“The promises speak for themselves,” said Evers. “We hear about poisonous gas, viral particles such as smallpox and the bacterial spores of anthrax the terrorists are itching to use, yet a prayer composed almost 2,000 years ago will protect us today. How glorious is God’s providence and how powerful is St. Joseph.”
(This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)
