St. Joseph is revered as the earthly father of Jesus and the spouse of the Virgin Mary. He’s regarded as a model for fathers and husbands, and an example of obedience to God’s will.
“Valiant and strong is the man who, like St. Joseph, perseveres in humility; he will be conqueror at once of the devil and of the world, which is full of ambition, vanity, and pride.”
–St. Francis de Sales
St. Joseph is a powerful protector and provider for the Church and Holy Family. Consecrating oneself to him invites his guidance and support, deepening one’s relationship with Jesus and Mary.
The Catholic Church teaches that his purity and faith give him remarkable power as the “Terror of Demons,” (among many other noteworthy names) making him a strong spiritual protector for many.
How do you consecrate yourself to St. Joseph?
Consecrating oneself to St. Joseph is a spiritual act that involves trusting yourself into his care and guidance. Following a structured program over 33 days, this process has several steps.
Here, we’ve outlined it in four parts:
The Four Steps to Consecration to St. Joseph
1. Preparation
Begin by selecting a period of 33 days for your preparation. This number symbolizes the years St. Joseph spent with Jesus and Mary. You will engage in daily prayers, readings, and reflections focused on the life of St. Joseph. Many people use a specific consecration book or guide that provides structured prayers and meditations for each day.You can find resources and examples at this website, established by the Marian Fathers.
You should choose your consecrate date based off the chart below:
| START DATE | FEAST DAY | CONSECRATION DAY |
| December 22 | Feast of the Holy Spouses | January 23 |
| January 1 | Presentation of the Lord | February 2 |
| February 15 (leap year: 2/16) |
Solemnity of St. Joseph | March 19 |
| March 30 | St. Joseph the Worker | May 1 |
| April 11 | Our Lady of Fatima | May 13 |
| July 20 | Our Lady of Knock | August 21 |
| September 30 | All Saints | November 1 |
| November* | Holy Family | *Last Sunday of December |
2. Daily Prayers and Reflections
On each day of the preparation period, you’ll spend time in prayer and meditation. You should focus on different aspects of St. Joseph’s life and how his virtues can be applied in your own life.
If you don’t have a consecration book, you can say a simple prayer each day. The Litany of St. Joseph is a great option.
3. Act of Consecration
On the final day of the preparation, you will make an act of consecration, which is a formal prayer in which you dedicate yourself to St. Joseph. In this prayer, you express your desire to entrust your life, your family, and your spiritual growth to his protection and guidance.
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION TO ST. JOSEPH
O Glorious Patriarch and Patron of the Church! O Virgin Spouse of the Virgin Mother of God! O Guardian and Virginal Father of the Word Incarnate! In the presence of Jesus and Mary, I choose you this day to be my father, my guardian, and my protector.
O great St. Joseph, whom God has made the Head of the Holy Family, accept me, I beseech you, though utterly unworthy, to be a member of your “Holy House.” Present me to your Immaculate Spouse; ask her also to adopt me as her child. With her, pray that I may constantly think of Jesus, and serve him faithfully to the end of my life. O Terror of Demons, increase in me virtue, protect me from the evil one, and help me not to offend God in any way.
O my Spiritual Father, I hereby consecrate myself to you. In faithful imitation of Jesus and Mary, I place myself and all my concerns under your care and protection. To you, after Jesus and Mary, I consecrate my body and soul, with all their faculties, my spiritual growth, my home, and all my affairs and undertakings.
Forsake me not, but adopt me as a servant and child of the Holy Family. Watch over me at all times, but especially at the hour of my death. Console and strengthen me with the presence of Jesus and Mary so that, with you, I may praise and adore the Holy Trinity for all eternity.
Amen.
4. Living the Consecration
After the consecration, you strive to live according to the virtues of St. Joseph, seeking his intercession in your daily life. This could involve regular prayer to St. Joseph, asking for his help in specific areas of your life, and imitating his humility, purity, and devotion to God.
In a world filled with challenges and uncertainties, we can find comfort in St. Joseph. Why? He can help us navigate life’s difficulties with faith and trust in God.
This consecration is a commitment and a relationship – it calls you to grow in holiness with St. Joseph as your guide and father.
Downloadable Resources:
Consecration Prayer
Date Chart
Consecration Dates (Artwork)
Additional Resources
Want to learn more about the Saints? Read our article explaining what a Catholic Saint is and how you can become one.
Speaking of saints, we’ve got a quirky list full of the most unusual patron saints. Check it out!
Learn more about the Holy Family from Fr. Donald Calloway’s keynote talk at SEEK about “The Virgin Mary: The Masterpiece of God”–watch the full video on our Youtube channel, and check out SEEK Replay for more amazing talks from our conference.
For more learning on fatherhood, listen to Fr. Mark Mary Ames, CFR, speak to what it means for God to be Father on SEEK Replay.
Sign up for SEEK next January in Washington, D.C., and Salt Lake City; registration is now open!
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