Saint Joseph

Publish a Prayer

Patron Saint of Carpenters

Dear Saint Joseph,

You are the Patron of the family of the church. God choose you to be the head and protector of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

You choose to do a carpenter's work, which made some say about Jesus: "Is he not the carpenter's son?"

Deign to bless and encourage carpenters whose work is so much like yours.     Amen

(This prayer was given to my husband 2nd generation trim carpernter 25 years ago, He recently finished the trim on a new home for our Jesuit community at Santa Clara University, a special job.  This has been a prayer I say daily for the past 25 years as he goes off to work to keep him safe. Kathe)

As many requests you receive I wanted you to know that our Lord is certainly with us.  On 11/4/2006 I requested you publish this prayer given to me by my husband's grandmother some 25 earlier, this special prayer is in my bible and over the year's the ink is fading, the paper old..... thank you so much for granting my request.....soon after that

George, had just finished rebuilding the residence for the Jesuits, that teach at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA.  His specialty is crown modling, trim and woodwork. A few months later to our surprise, we were invited to attend the "open house" of their new home. Part of the work had been to move the original residence of the Jesuits over a mile away to a new location and incorporating it into the new building!  Continuing the history and tradition of the Santa Clara Mission. 

 We were given a warm and gracious greeting, as we visited hallowed halls rich with history and art of the Holy Family.  I was truly in awe - a treat to see the fruits of his hard labor.

The Jesuits were so happy with the chapel, which is used daily for Mass! It was was an especially beautiful room filled with custom woodwork and the ceiling was filled with intricute crown modeliing and beautiful artwork which was breathtaking and one of a kind. The kind Priest told me that my husband George, had done the woodwork, and the Jesuits were so happy with the outcome. It is beautiful, I was in awe as I rarely get a chance to see the beautiful custom work that he does. Not a cut out of place, not a joint showing, not a nail to be seen and with the beautiful stained glass I was brought to tears and so very proud of him, I felt the Lord's presence with us and as we stepped out of this holy place  - outside the doorway was the inscription - Saint Joseph's Chapel!  God truly had his hand on my husband's shoulder as he worked on this sacred building which will be here forever.

You see, George, had never done well in school, and began to learn his trade at the side of his Farther at the age of 14. Over these 30 some years he has worked hard to raise a family. It is a hard trade and he labors until his body is weary, at times over the years doubting himself. On that special day he was able to know and feel the grace that only God can give.

The gift that the Lord gave him he was able to use on this special job, he has left his mark on the world.  Years from now people may see his work and wonder at the beauty of the labor, but George, will carry the special grace of God in his heart forever.  I know he is pleased, and George has stood a bit taller, and more confident in himself.....God is good!