In these times that threaten to be difficult, Canadians perhaps need to be reminded that St. Joseph is the patron saint of our country, as well as patron of the universal Church, patron of a happy death, and patron of workers.

Since before Canada was founded, St. Joseph was patron of this vast land. In fact, from the very start of New France, St. Joseph was invoked as a guardian and protector. On March 19, 1624, Father Joseph Le Caron, one of Canada’s first missionaries, wrote that he had been chosen the “Patron of New France.”

Ever since, Canada has had a central role in promoting devotion to him. In 1911, Pius X approved a motion by the First Plenary Council of Quebec to include his name in the Divine Praises. In 1923, at the request of Bishop Émile Grouard, OMI, of Athabasca, Benedict XV mandated it for the whole Church.

Pope St. John Paul II, in his 1989 document Redemptoris Custos – “On the Person and Mission of Saint Joseph in the Life of Christ and of the Church” – stressed that as Mary’s spouse, Joseph “shared” in God’s Incarnation as “no other human” did except her.

At St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal on Sept. 11, 1984, John Paul II noted, “From the very beginning, your founders sought the protection of the Holy Family and particularly of Saint Joseph.”

And in a prayer to Canada’s patron saint, he said St. Joseph gave Jesus “legal paternity in the line of David.” 

That is why Matthew and Luke list the generations in Jesus’ ancestry “according to the genealogy of Joseph.”

Joseph was truly a father to Jesus.

Prayer to St. Joseph, Patron of Canada

Read by Pope St. John Paul II at St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal in 1984

Saint Joseph: with you, for you, we bless the Lord. He chose you among all men to be the chaste spouse of Mary, the one who would remain at the threshold of the mystery of her divine maternity, and who, after her, would accept it in faith as the work of the Holy Spirit.

You gave to Jesus legal paternity in the line of David. You constantly watched over the Mother and the Child with an affectionate concern, in order to protect their lives and to allow them to accomplish their destiny.

The Saviour Jesus deigned to submit himself to you, as to a father, throughout his childhood and adolescence, and to receive from you an apprenticeship in human life, while you shared his life in the adoration of his mystery.

You remain at his side. Continue to protect the whole Church, the family born of the salvation of Jesus.

Protect especially the people of Canada, who have placed themselves under your patronage. Help them to come closer to the mystery of Christ in that attitude of faith, submission, and love that was your own.

See the spiritual and material needs of all those who beg your intercession, particularly families and those who are poor, in every sense; through you, they are certain to find Mary’s maternal face and the hand of Jesus to assist them. Amen.

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