Prayer for the Souls in the Agony of Death by the Merits of Saint Joseph

Prayer for the Souls in the Agony of Death by the Merits of Saint Joseph 

Eternal Father, by the love Thou bearest toward St. Joseph, who was chosen by Thee from among all men to exercise Thy divine fatherhood over the Thy Son made Man, have mercy on us and upon all poor souls who are in their agony.

Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be . . .

Eternal Son of God, by the love Thou bearest toward St. Joseph, who was Thy most faithful guardian upon earth, have mercy on us and upon all poor souls who are in their agony.

Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be . . .

Eternal Spirit of God, by the love Thou bearest toward St. Joseph, who guarded with such tender care most holy Mary, Thy beloved spouse, have mercy on us and upon all poor souls who are in their agony.

Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be . . .

St. Alphonsus Liguori on St. Joseph,
Patron of a Happy Death

"Since we all must die, we should cherish a special devotion to St. Joseph, that he may obtain for us a happy death. All Christians regard him as the advocate of the dying who had honored him during their life, and they do so for three reasons:

"First, because Jesus Christ loved him not only as a friend, but as a father, and on this account his mediation is far more efficacious than that of any other Saint.

"Second, because St. Joseph has obtained special power against the evil spirits, who tempt us with redoubled vigor at the hour of death.

"Third, the assistance given St. Joseph at his death by Jesus and Mary obtained for him the right to secure a holy and peaceful death for his servants. Hence, if they invoke him at the hour of death he will not only help them, but he will also obtain for them the assistance of Jesus and Mary."


WORDS OF THE QUEEN

The Virgin Mary speaks to Sister Mary of Agreda, Spain, Taken From The Mystical City Of God By Venerable Mary Agreda As Dictatedd By The Immaculate Virgin Mary

My daughter, although thou hast described my spouse, saint Joseph, as the most noble among the princes and saints of the heavenly Jerusalem; yet neither canst thou properly manifest his eminent sanctity, nor can any of the mortals know it fully before they arrive at the vision of the Divinity. Then all of them will be filled with wonder and praise as the Lord will make them capable of understanding this sacrament. On the last day, when all men shall be judged, the damned will bitterly bewail their sins, which prevented them from appreciating this powerful means of their salvation, and availing themselves, as they easily could have, of this intercessor to gain the friendship of the just Judge. The whole human race has much undervalued the privileges and prerogatives conceded to my blessed spouse and they know not what his intercession with God is able to do. I assure thee, my dearest, that he is one of the greatly favored personages in the divine presence and has immense power to stay the arms of divine vengeance.

I desire that thou be very thankful to the divine condescension for vouchsafing thee so much light and knowledge regarding this mystery, and also for the favor which I am doing thee therein. From now on, during the rest of thy mortal life, see that thou advance in devotion and in hearty love toward my spouse, and that thou bless the Lord for thus having favored him with such high privileges and for having rejoiced me so much in the knowledge of all his excellences. In all thy necessities thou must avail thyself of his intercession. Thou shouldst induce many to venerate him and see that thy own religious distinguish themselves in their devotion. That which my spouse asks of the Lord in heaven is granted upon the earth and on his intercession depend many and extraordinary favors for men, if they do not make themselves unworthy of receiving them. All these privileges were to be a reward for the amiable perfection of this wonderful saint and for his great virtues; for divine clemency is favorably drawn forth by them and looks upon saint Joseph with generous liberality, ready to shower down its marvelous mercies upon all those who avail themselves of his intercession.

In Mary of Agreda's City of God, we learn the following consoling revelations:

• "First, those who invoke him shall obtain from God, by his intercession, the gift of chastity, and shall not be conquered by the temptation of the senses;

• Secondly, they shall receive particular graces to deliver them from sin;

• Thirdly, they shall obtain a true devotion to the Blessed Virgin;

• Fourthly, they shall have a good and happy death, and in that all-decisive moment be defended against the assaults of Satan;

• Fifthly, they shall be delivered when expedient for them, from bodily sufferings, and shall find help in their afflictions;

• Sixthly, if married, they shall be blessed with offspring;

• Seventhly, the demons shall have extreme dread of the glorious name of St. Joseph.