For the past year I have felt drawn to Saint Joseph. Whether praying for work, my future spouse, or just asking for wisdom, I have pleaded with St. Joseph often. So on a recent trip to St. Louis, Missouri, I was pretty excited to go visit the shrine to St. Joseph, however, due to a few weddings and locked doors my visit did not go as intended. More disappointed then I expected, I left St. Louis feeling a little defeated and disheartened after not getting to go inside the shrine.

Despite prayers to and a strong feeling that I would get to visit the shrine in honor of St. Joseph, my sisters and I started our drive home without the answers and time I desired.

On the drive home while we were passing through farms in Missouri, one of the fields had a sign with the Divine Mercy image. It brought a bit of peace and a smile to my face. A short while later on the other side of the highway there was a large prolife sign in another farm field. I thought the likely hood of a beautiful Catholic community residing in the area was quite high and I felt happy to have just driven by.

Then in the distance I saw a steeple sticking out of the horizon. I immediately turned to my sister and had her search what it might be. As a testament to just how awesome God is, my little sister read the name of the building with the beautiful steeple, St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Of course I exited the highway and drove past the farms and houses to get to the church. I said a little prayer the doors would be unlocked and walked up to the stone church. With great joy I opened the door. I shed a few tears talking to Jesus and St. Joseph in the little sanctuary.

Although it was not what I had imagined, thanks to the incredible Catholic community in Zell, Missouri, I was blessed with the opportunity to see a beautiful place in honor of St. Joseph.

Prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker

Glorious St. Joseph, patron of all who are devoted to toil, obtain for me the grace to toil in the spirit of penance in order to thereby atone for my many sins; to toil conscientiously, putting devotion to duty before my own inclinations; to labor in thankfulness and joy, deeming it an honor to employ and to develop, by my labors, the gifts I have received from Almighty God; to work with order, peace, moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties ; to work, above all, with a pure intention and with detachment from self; having always before my eyes the hour of death and the accounting which I must then render of time ill-spent, of talents unemployed, of good undone, and of my empty pride in success, which is 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.

St. Joseph, most faithful, pray for us.

St. Joseph, Patron of all who labor, pray for us.

P.S. There was another Divine Mercy image in a farm field a couple miles after our stop in Zell.

J.M.J.