Last November, when promulgating this summer's Provincial Chapter, Fr. Dominic Izzo, O.P., exhorted the members of the Province to keep the vast work of the chapter in their prayers.  In a letter to all the Friars, the Provincial wrote: "I call upon all in the Province to be united in prayer during the six months ahead.  I hope that all of us will take part in a novena to St. Joseph as the patronal feast of our province approaches in March of next year.  Let us together invoke the inspiration of the Holy Spirit upon the deliberations of our communities, of the Pre-Chapter Commissions, and of the Provincial Chapter itself.”

March has come and gone, of course, and many novenas were offered in the days leading up to March 19th.  These prayers are already bearing fruit in the preparations being made for the chapter.  In gratitude for God's good providence, let us turn to Him again through the prayers of the Just Man of Nazareth.

During the nine days ending on May 1st, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, many Friars of the Province will offer a novena to our heavenly patron asking again for his intercession.  Once more, we invite all friends and benefactors of the Province to join us in praying for a successful and grace-filled Provincial Chapter.  When offering this novena, join us in using the prayer posted below.

St. Joseph, Patron of our Province, pray for us!

O glorious St. Joseph, Husband of Mary, Faithful Guardian and Good Provider of the Holy Family, to you do we have recourse in our time of need. As you loved and protected Mary and Jesus, we implore you to extend to us, your sons, your paternal care as we hasten to you, our patron, who has not left our petitions unheeded.

When the angel of the Lord spoke to you in a dream you obeyed His word promptly and without question. May you secure for us the graces we need to quiet our hearts in times of anxiety so that we may hear His Word and, following your example, may we respond to Him with courage, confidence, and humility.

O holy patron of our Province, St. Joseph, intercede for us that we may receive the graces of the Dominican charism with open hearts that always rejoice in God the Father from whom all good gifts come. May we rejoice in your patronage, and that of your Blessed Spouse, Mary Most Holy. Through your help may we be confident in Divine Providence, diligent in work, and attentive to those entrusted to our care. Healed and elevated by His grace, may your prayers give success to the work of our hands. Amen.