This is one of the most ancient and powerful prayers to St. Joseph in the Catholic tradition — said to have been found in the 50th year of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and carried by the faithful for centuries as a prayer of protection, provision, and trust.

Its promise is bold: those who read or hear this prayer will never suffer misfortune. Whether you hold that promise with the faith of a child or the curiosity of a seeker, the prayer itself is undeniably beautiful — a total surrender of all one’s interests and desires into the hands of the man God chose to protect His own Son.

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

St. Joseph, whose protection is so great,
so strong, so prompt before the throne of God,
I place in you all my interests and desires.

Oh, St. Joseph, do 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.

Oh, St. 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.

St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. 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 treasured card for devotees of St. Joseph and anyone seeking his powerful protection

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the “50th Year of Our Lord” prayer?
This prayer is said to have been discovered in the 50th year of Our Lord Jesus Christ and has been passed down through the centuries as one of the most powerful prayers to St. Joseph. It is especially known for its closing petition — asking St. Joseph, as Patron of the Dying, to intercede at the moment of death. Many Catholics carry it as a lifelong companion prayer.

Why does it mention St. Joseph as Patron of the Dying?
Catholic tradition holds that St. Joseph died in the arms of Jesus and Mary — the most blessed death imaginable. For this reason, he is invoked as the patron of a happy and holy death, and Catholics often pray to him for the grace of dying in God’s friendship. This prayer’s closing line — “ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath” — is one of the most tender lines in all of Catholic prayer.

Is this a good gift?
Absolutely — especially for someone with a deep devotion to St. Joseph, someone facing serious illness, or anyone who wants a prayer of total protection and trust. It’s also a beautiful card for the elderly, for those in hospice care, or for anyone preparing for the end of life with faith and peace.

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.