Ora et Labora is the Benedictine exhortation to pray and work. By looking at the example of the Holy Family as revealed in Scripture, we clearly see the value of work, particularly of simple work. Saint Joseph was a carpenter. Some of the Apostles were fishermen. None of the highly esteemed characters, save for Jesus Himself, were teachers or philosophers or rich, learned individuals. What can we learn from these simple truths? First, Our Lord values work and we can be confident that He will find it for us. Second, He has given us a great Patron Saint to petition in the form of His foster father, Saint Joseph. And finally, Our Lord values simple work. It is in the simplest work that we are able to find time to pray while at work, and find time in the rest of our lives for our families and the simple goodness that life has to offer.
If you have a job right now, count your blessings and offer prayers of thanksgiving.
If you are now unemployed or under-employed your first step is simple: PRAY.
Finally, abandon yourself to the will of God. He will not fail you.
Prayer to Saint Joseph
Patron of Workers
Glorious Saint Joseph, you are the patron of all who work. Obtain for me, please, the grace to work conscientiously and to put devotion to duty before my selfish inclinations. Help me to labor in thankfulness and joy, for it is an honor to employ and to develop by my labor the gifts I have received from almighty God. Grant that I may work in orderliness, peace, moderation and patience without shrinking from weariness and difficulties. I offer my fatigue and perplexities as reparation for sin. I shall 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 empty pride in success, which is so fatal to the work of God. For Jesus through Mary, all in imitation of you, good Saint Joseph. This shall be my motto in life and in death. Amen.
Novena to Saint Anthony
To Find Something Lost – Such As A Job
St. Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find [name the item] which has been lost. At least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss. To this favor, I ask another of you: that I may always remain in possession of the true good that is God. Let me rather lose all things than lose God, my supreme good. Let me never suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God. Amen.
