St. Joseph: Prince, Patron, and Patriarch

St. Joseph is a quiet saint, to whom no words are attributed in the gospels, but whose actions resonate with tectonic effect. Since March is considered St. Joseph’s month, a worthy tribute to this universal saint would be to pray the Litany of St. Joseph. To help you do so, consider using a recently released book, Prince, Patron and Patriarch - The Litany of St. Joseph and the Dogma that Makes it Strong by Ian Mahood (2026 Sceptre Publishing).

This small devotional is extensively researched and rigorously based in Scripture, papal documents and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Despite the weight sometimes associated with the word “dogma,” this book is neither complicated nor boring. Dogma simply refers to truths that the Church holds and proclaims, and it is a relief to know that every word is attested to by Church scholars, some of whom offer glowing testimonials on the book’s back cover.
 
Ian Mahood was formerly a seminarian for the Diocese of Calgary. He now lives with his family in Edmonton. Born in Red Deer, he was raised Evangelical. Ian credits his parents with providing him a solid grounding in the Bible and “for teaching me to love God”. He commended their openness to other Christian traditions as well.

In his late teens, Ian desired a more sacramental life and felt attracted to liturgy. He was baptized an Anglican in 2010 and converted to Catholicism in 2014. While articling as a law student in Calgary, he felt a call to explore the priesthood. So he applied to the Diocese of Calgary, was accepted into the seminarian formation years, and was sent to St. Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton. It was there his thoughts first took shape as he prayed the Litany of St. Joseph each week. “I didn’t set out to publish a book,” Ian said, “I just wanted to write a devotional that would satisfy me.” His life would be changed by his time at the seminary, an experience he describes as “excellent, very good formation.” In time, however, he discerned that his vocation was to family life, and he is now married to Heidi, and they are expecting twins.
 
Ian works full-time as a corporate-commercial litigator but still found time to write this book in three months, working for an hour early each morning. “I would think about the Litany throughout the day and focus on one of St. Joseph’s titles at a time,” he said, “It’s meant to be a devotional, a slower read.” Slow perhaps, but deep.

The book is rich in spiritual insights, e.g., “Obedience is the best sacrifice because obedience is a sacrifice of the will.” Each mini-meditation is based on one line of the Litany and unpacks its meaning in plain language. I particularly enjoyed the way Ian brings Bible passages to life when retold in a novel-like or story-like manner. The meditations close with ways one can practice that quality in everyday life.
 
Ian's years in seminary are evident in his liberal use of Latin - albeit followed by English translations - and the technical overtones. However, his sense of humour defuses any stuffiness, e.g., “We love chastity the way a fat man loves his weight-loss program.” Ian readily admits his book is “a bit dense,” but says it’s not intended as a scholarly work and will appeal to anyone seeking a more reasoned and doctrinally sound handbook.

St. Joseph’s impact on the life of Jesus and Mary is immeasurable. He may not be prominent in the Bible, but according to Ian, “That’s the point. He had this plan for his life, and whatever dreams he had were radically transformed. He had to become small, though not less, to make room for Jesus.” St. Joseph’s closeness to God made him open to communications from angels, and his decisive response to the angel-messages created a safe environment for the Holy Family.
​
St. Joseph appeals to men and women, singles and married people, workers and artisans, immigrants and more. The list of people covered by his patronage is long, but the most common definition of St. Joseph is as the foster father of Jesus. So this freshly minted book would be an excellent Father’s Day gift for a dad or a parish priest. Ian's book is available here (paperback/e-book) or on Amazon. A few copies will be available this Thursday, after the Solemnity of St. Joseph's 5 pm Mass with Bishop McGrattan at St. Albert the Great's Parish, Calgary. 

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Jesus, hear us. Jesus, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Renowned offspring of David, pray for us.
Light of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Diligent protector of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph most just, pray for us.
Joseph most chaste, pray for us.
Joseph most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph most strong, pray for us.
Joseph most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model of artisans, pray for us.
Glory of home life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of families, pray for us.
Solace of the wretched, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Jesus.
He made him the lord of his household
And prince over all his possessions.

O God, in your ineffable providence, you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever.

St Joseph, pray for us.

---

Written by Alice Matisz for Faithfully.