Labor Day 2016: Prayers for Workers




Prayer for Success in Work

Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my many sins; to work with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop, by means of labor, the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, prudence and patience, never surrendering to weariness or difficulties; to work, above all, with purity of intention, and with detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account which I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all after thy example, O Patriarch Joseph. Such shall be my motto in life and death. Amen.


A Prayer for Workers

O glorious Joseph! Who concealed your incomparable and regal dignity of custodian of Jesus and of the Virgin Mary under the humble appearance of a craftsman and provided for them with your work, protect with loving power your sons, especially entrusted to you.

You know their anxieties and sufferings, because you yourself experienced them at the side of Jesus and of His Mother. Do not allow them, oppressed by so many worries, to forget the purpose for which they were created by God. Do not allow the seeds of distrust to take hold of their immortal souls. Remind all the workers that in the fields, in factories, in mines, and in scientific laboratories, they are not working, rejoicing, or suffering alone, but at their side is Jesus, with Mary, His Mother and ours, to sustain them, to dry the sweat of their brow, giving value to their toil. Teach them to turn work into a very high instrument of sanctification as you did. Amen.


A Prayer in Thanksgiving for Work

Blessed are you, Lord God, creator of all that is good, for in your mercy you give us work that we may be co-creators with you.

With hands to fashion and form, minds to imagine what has yet to be, hearts to care for what we have made and a spirit to impart to our own creations, we rejoice in the labor you give us.
By imitating you, our God and maker, we continue to shape the world, to name it and claim it and be good stewards of your good gifts through the life-giving Spirit that renews the earth.
So keep us mindful of the power you share with us that we may create only that which leads to peace. May the work of our hands and our visions and dreams collaborate with your good will, which continues to build for us your kingdom on earth.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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