Praying for Fathers

On this feast of Saint Joseph, husband of Mary and patron of fathers, please join me in praying for all fathers.

At Good Shepherd today my friends and I were talking about our husbands and each of us was asking for prayers for our husbands for different reasons. Our husbands currently face job stresses, job searches, illnesses, and other struggles. We each promised to lift all of our husbands, the fathers of our children, up in prayer in a special way today.

Dads have it tough. They carry a lot of responsibility. They don't deal with stress in the same ways that women do and often they don't have the support systems that women do. Today my friends and I were thanking God for each other, for the way we can talk and support each other. We talked about ways we can better support our hard-working husbands. We all sheepishly admitted that we tend to bombard our husbands when they get home from work with a million "to-do's " and complaints and problems.
We resolved to try to limit that and be more appreciative and supportive of our guys.

We also talked today about how proud we are of our husbands. I know I am so proud of Jon. He works so very hard and doesn't complain. He takes care of all of our financial stuff, yard work, lots of chores around the house. He truly enjoys playnig with the boys and teaching them new things. He honors me and is always thankful for what I do for him and the children. He is truly a good and honorable man. I know that he teaches our boys so much, especially by his example as father and husband. I remember how happy he was the day he became a father. Even though there are very tough days and he gets frustrated with the boys, I know he loves them so much and he is learning and growing as a father every day.


Obviously, dads need our support and God's grace to bear their responsibilities. Joseph is a great role model and intercessor for them and for all of us.

Let us pray today for our own fathers, living and deceased.
Let us pray for the fathers of our children.
Let us pray for all fathers, especially for those who are particularly struggling at this time and for those men who have not stepped up to be the fathers they should be to their children.

Prayer to Saint Joseph for Fathers
Saint Joseph, guardian of Jesus and chaste husband of Mary, you passed your life in loving fulfillment of duty. You supported the holy family of Nazareth with the work of your hands. Kindly protect those who trustingly come to you. You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes. They look to you because they know you will understand and protect them. You too knew trial, labor and weariness. But amid the worries of material life, your soul was full of deep peace and sang out in true joy through intimacy with God's Son entrusted to you and with Mary, his tender Mother. Assure those you protect that they do not labor alone. Teach them to find Jesus near them and to watch over Him faithfully as you have done. Amen.
(Pope John XXIII)