The Chaplet of St. Joseph consists of a medal, five beads, and a circlet of seven sets of seven beads separated by a single large bead, 61 beads in all. How to pray the St. Joseph Chaplet:
While holding the St. Joseph medal, make the Sign of the Cross and then recite the
Opening St. Joseph Prayer:
O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires
O Saint Joseph, assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers
O Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. Amen.
(This prayer was found in the 50th year of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In 1505, it was sent from the pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Whoever shall read this prayer or hear it or keep it about themselves shall never die a sudden death or be drowned, nor shall poison take effect on them—neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy or be burned in any fire or be overpowered in battle. Say for nine mornings for anything you desire. It has never been known to fail, provided that the request is for one's spiritual benefit or for those whom we are praying for.)
On the first bead, recite the Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth, and in in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into Hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
On the second bead, recite the Our Father:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
On the third bead, recite the Anima Christi:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee.
From the malignant enemy, defend me.
In the hour of my death, call me.
And bid me to come to Thee.
That with Thy Saints, I may praise Thee forever and ever. Amen.
On the fourth bead, recite the Prayer for the Help of the Holy Ghost
O God, send forth your Holy Ghost into my heart that I may perceive, into my mind that I may remember, and into my soul that I may meditate. Inspire me to speak with piety, holiness, tenderness and mercy. Teach, guide and direct my thoughts and senses from beginning to end. May your grace ever help and correct me, and may I be strengthened now with wisdom from on high, for the sake of your infinite mercy. Amen.
On the fifth bead, recite My Sovereign Lady:
O Holy Mary, my sovereign Lady, into thy blessed trust and special custody, and in the bosom of thy mercy, I this day and every day, and in the hour of my death, commend my soul and my body. To thee I commit all my hope and happiness, all my anxieties and miseries, my life and the end of my life, that through thy most holy intercession and through thy merits, all my actions may be guided and governed according to thine and thy Son's will. Amen
At the beginning of each section, Recite Prayer for a Heavenly Crown, then we humbly pray for St. Joseph to intercede on our behalf in asking our heavenly Father to bestow upon us virtues which St, Joseph himself was a perfect model.
Prayer for the Heavenly Crown
O St. Joseph, virgin father of Jesus and most pure spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pray every day for us to the same Jesus, the Son of God, that being defended by the power of His grace and striving dutifully in life, we may be crowned by Him at the hour of death. Amen. (Pope St. Pius X)
On each of the seven beads that follow you pray:
V. St Joseph we love and honor you,
R. protect and guide us!
with the intention of obtaining each virtue prayed for on each section of the chaplet (provided below). The purpose of the seven times is to honor the Seven Sacraments and the Seven Sorrows and Joys of St. Joseph.
We humbly pray for the virtue of ...
1. Wisdom, Understanding & Counsel
2. Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety & Fear of the Lord
3. Charity, Joy & Peace
4. Patience, Kindness & Goodness
5. Longsuffering, Mildness& Faith
6. Modesty, Temperance & Chastity
7. Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance & a love for Voluntary Poverty, Perpetual Chastity, Entire Obedience
(Numbers 1 and 2 are the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost; Numbers 3, 4, 5, and 6 are the Twelve Fruits of the Holy Ghost; Number 7 is Four Cardinal Virtues & Three Evangelical Counsels) After the last set of prayers, the Chaplet is concluded with the Prayer of St. Joseph prescribed by Pope Leo XIII.
To you, O blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our affliction, and having implored the help of your thrice holy Spouse, We now, with hearts filled with confidence, Earnestly beg you also to take us under your protection. By that charity, by which you were united to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and by that fatherly love, with which you did cherish the Child Jesus, We beseech you and we humbly pray that you will look down with gracious eyes upon That inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased by His Blood, And will aid us in our need by your power and strength. Defend O most watchful guardian of the Holy family, The chosen offspring of Jesus Christ. Keep from us, O most loving Father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, most valiant defender, In this conflict with the powers of darkness, and even as of old, You did rescue the Child Jesus from the peril of His life, So now defend God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield us ever under your patronage, that, following your example and strengthened by your help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain everlasting bliss in Heaven. Amen
Then say:
St. Joseph hear my prayers and obtain my petitions.
St. Joseph of the House of David, pray for us. (repeat three times)
THE SEVEN SORROWS AND SEVEN JOYS OF ST. JOSEPH
The Seven Sorrows of St. Joseph
1. The doubts of St. Joseph (Matt. 1:19)
2. The poverty of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:7)
3. The Circumcision (Luke 2:21)
4. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34)
5. The flight into Egypt (Matt. 2:14)
6. The return to Nazareth (Matt. 2:22)
7. The loss of the Child Jesus (Luke 2:45)
The Seven Joys of St. Joseph
1. Told of the Incarnation (Matt. 1:20)
2. Angels adore the Infant Jesus (Luke 2:10-11)
3. Holy Name of Jesus (Matt. 1:25)
4. Effects of the Redemption (Luke 2:38)
5. Overthrow of the idols in Egypt (Is. 19:1)
6. Life with Jesus & Mary (Luke 2:39)
7. Jesus found in the temple (Luke 2:46)