The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are two of the most widely practiced Catholic devotions.
But did you know there is a third, little-known devotion to the Chaste Heart of Joseph?
Devotion to the Most Chaste Heart of Joseph honors Saint Joseph as a virtuous and ‘just man’ made in the image of God the Father. It also honors Joseph’s profound love for the Holy Family, especially his chaste and virginal love for the Virgin Mary.
This devotion encourages the faithful to seek St. Joseph’s intercession, particularly in matters of purity and overcoming daily temptation.
Church tradition believes that Saint Joseph’s Heart is alive and beating, sharing in the grace of resurrection and assumption. Saints like St. Bernardine of Siena and St. Francis de Sales have also supported this belief.
However, unlike the well-known devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Chaste Heart of Joseph does not have a liturgical cultus and therefore remains a private devotion.
The Chaste Heart of Joseph is depicted aflame with love and adorned with a white lily of purity, meant to symbolize his role as a model of chastity and virtue.
To foster this devotion, St. John Eudes recommended praying to St. Joseph on the first Wednesday of every month, similar to the first Friday and Saturday devotions. Simple prayers like one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be, as well as the rosary of the seven sorrows and joys of St. Joseph, are also ways to honor his Chaste Heart.
St. John Eudes wrote a prayer to the Chaste Heart of Joseph, which you pray below:
St. Joseph, we offer you our hearts. Unite them to yours and to that of Jesus and Mary, asking them to grant that this union be inviolable and eternal. Amen.
We greet you, Joseph, image of God the Father.
We greet you, Joseph, father of God the son.
We greet you, Joseph, temple of the Holy Spirit.
We greet you, Joseph, beloved of the Blessed Trinity.
We greet you, Joseph, faithful auxiliary of God’s designs.
We greet you, Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mother.
We greet you, Joseph, father of all the faithful.
We greet you, Joseph, faithful to interior silence.
We greet you, Joseph, friend of holy poverty.
We greet you, Joseph, example of meekness and patience.
We greet you, Joseph, mirror of humility and obedience.
You are blessed among all men, and blessed be your eyes, for all they have seen …
Blessed be your hands which touched the Incarnate Word.
Blessed be your arms which carried him who carries the world …
Blessed be your heart, burning with love for him.
Blessed be the eternal Father who chose you.
Blessed be the Son who loved you.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit who sanctified you.
Blessed forever be those who bless and love you.
Amen.
St. Joseph, pray for us!
🙏
Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons | Heralder, Sagrado Corazón, Panzapuns, Xavigivax, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons | Luis Fraga / Shutterstock.com | Theology source: Fr. Hugh Barbour, O. Praem. via CatholicAnswers | Prayer source: Adapted from TekTon Ministries and Go to Joseph
