A Pope’s prayer to a carpenter. A successor of Peter turning to the foster father of Jesus — asking for the grace to work with integrity, to labor in the spirit of penance, and to find in daily work a path to holiness.

Pope Pius X, one of the most beloved popes of the 20th century, had a deep personal devotion to St. Joseph. This prayer — written in his own words — is a beautiful meditation on the sanctity of work and the dignity of the working person. It’s a prayer for anyone who wants to offer their daily labor to God.

Designed by Shawn Kilgarlin — wife, mother of four, mental health clinician, and highly sought-after Life Coach from Shreveport, Louisiana — every ShopCatholic card is made with purpose. ShopCatholic is Shawn’s ministry: profits from every card go toward her mission of giving, including donating thousands of Christmas gifts to children in need every Christmas Eve through Holy Angels, and volunteering at addiction treatment centers. When you buy a card, you’re part of that giving.

👷 The Prayer of Pope Pius X to St. Joseph

O Glorious St. Joseph,
model of all who are devoted to labor,
obtain for me the grace to work in the spirit of penance
in expiation of my many sins;
to work conscientiously by placing love of duty above my inclinations;
to gratefully and joyously deem it an honor
to employ and to develop by labor
the gifts I have received from God;
to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience,
without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties;
to work above all with purity of intention
and unselfishness,
having unceasingly before my eyes death
and the account I must render of time lost,
of talents unemployed,
of good omitted,
of vain complacency in success,
so fatal to the work of God.

All for Jesus, all through Mary, all in imitation of thee,
O Patriarch Joseph!
This shall be my motto in life and in death. Amen.

📦 Card Details

• Laminated with gold colour accents
• 2.5" x 4.5" — wallet-size and Bible-bookmark ready
• Classic sacred art image of St. Joseph on the front, full prayer on the back
• Available as a single card or in packs of 3, 10, 25, 50, and 100
• A meaningful gift for workers, professionals, and anyone who wants to sanctify their daily labor

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Pope Pius X?
Pope Pius X served as Pope from 1903 to 1914 and was canonized a saint in 1954 — one of only two popes of the modern era to be declared a saint. He was known for his deep personal holiness, his love of the poor, and his devotion to St. Joseph. His prayer to St. Joseph reflects his belief that ordinary work, offered to God, is a path to sanctity.

When would I pray this prayer?
This prayer is beautiful as a morning offering before beginning a day’s work — a way of consecrating your labor to God and asking St. Joseph to help you work with integrity, patience, and purity of intention. It’s also a meaningful prayer for anyone in a demanding profession, going through a difficult work season, or seeking to find deeper meaning in their daily responsibilities.

Is this a good gift?
Absolutely — especially for professionals, tradespeople, teachers, healthcare workers, or anyone who takes their work seriously and wants to offer it to God. It’s also a beautiful gift for a new graduate entering the workforce, or anyone making a career transition.

Can I order in bulk or get custom printed cards?
Yes! Standard packs of up to 100 ship quickly — usually same day or within 24 hours if in stock. For larger needs, we offer custom printing with a minimum of 1,000 cards, delivered in approximately 5 days, in any quantity you need. When Pope Francis visited the United States, he ordered 15,000 custom “Praying with Five Fingers” cards to share with the faithful. Whether you need 1,000 or 15,000, we can make it happen — and every order helps fund Shawn’s mission of giving back.