This candle will be lit in honor of St. Joseph the Workman. St. Joseph is the patron saint of working people. He is often invoked for assistance in getting a job. In particular, he is said to have a soft spot for parents, and/or other family members, working to support a family. For those those practitioners who are not Catholic, remember the saints pray in heaven to God the Father and can pray for the well being of those still on earth. Worship and adoration is given unto God.
The person seeking employment can also get a prayer card with the image of St. Joseph. St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, is beloved in practically all forms of Christianity. The best known picture of the saint depicts of the upper half of St. Joseph’s torso holding the infant Jesus. However as St. Joseph the Workman, he is frequently depicted holding his emblem, the lily, and a carpenter's square. He is also depicted holding the carpenter's square and tools (hammer, chisel, etc.) or working in the woodshop with tools as symbols of St. Joseph’s trade as a carpenter.
St. Joseph is also sometimes depicted with a loaf of bread and a pitcher, indicating that as one who provided necessities for his family, he would be interested in assisting others providing victuals for their family as well. (Actually, any depiction of the saint will do. Please see St. Joseph Images.)
St. Joseph is also is the patron saint of the poor. He may also be inclined to grant someone's petition to help find employment, if the petitioner plans to donate something to the poor, especially though a charity that serves the greater community.
Often the request will be written on a piece of brown paper and the edges lightly annointed with Crown of Success oil (recipe below) and set under the candle holder or jar. The person should explain exactly what kind of job and what salary s/he needs, and why. Other items relating to the search (want ad, etc.) will also be set around or under the candle.
Crown of Success oil is an old hoodoo recipe for anointing oil, which can be applied in a number of ways. It can be rubbed onto a person's hands and/or feet. It is added to bath water, mojo bags, lodestones, and candles. According to Judika Illes in The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells: The Ultimate Reference Book for the Magical Arts, "Crown of Success may be used to enhance any other employment charm or spell: it is an entirely benevolent formula." (p. 176)
If the candle is a devotional candle in a jar with the image of St. Joseph on it, put three drops of Crown of Success oil in the jar before lighting it. If the candle is a white votive candle or white taper, it can be rubbed onto candle with both hands while focusing on the intention to find employement.
S/he will recite the appropriate prayers, such as Prayer to St. Joseph the Workman and Prayer to St. Joseph for a Heavenly Crown. S/he will also finish by praying the Lord's Prayer.
Alternatively, someone can recite the Novena to Saint Joseph daily for nine days. For safety reasons, lit candles should not be left burning unattended in one's home.
St. Joseph's Heavenly Crown can be a Heavenly Crown of Success.
Crown of Success oil can be purchased in many spirtual supply stores. However below is a standard recipe.
Crown of Success oil recipeChaplet of Saint JosephThese ingredients will be added to a blend of olive oil, sunflower oil, and/or jojoba oil, which serves as the base oil. Never use essential oils without mixing them into a base oil.
- crushed bay leaves or bay laurel essential oil (Laurus nobilis)
- powdered frankincense resin or frankincense essential oil (Boswellia sacra, Boswellia frereana, and Boswellia bhaw-dajiana)
- powdered sandalwood or sandalwood essential oil (Santalum album)
- khus oil [vetiver essential oil (Chrysopogon zizanioides)]
If the person making the Crown of Success Oil is using powdered ingredients rather than essential oils, s/he will bruise/crush using a mortar and pestle in order to blend them together before adding in the oil.
In this working, Crown of Success Oil is used to bring about success and financial well being through getting employment. Many people likewise use it to obtain promotions and financial benefits. It can even be used to achieve academic success.
The prayers, "Prayer to St. Joseph the Workman" and "Prayer to St. Joseph for a Heavenly Crown," may be recited as part of another form of petitioning the saint with the Chaplet of Saint Joseph. Like the holy rosary, the Chaplet of Saint Joseph are prayer beads used by Catholics. The beads are designed to keep count of the prayers.
The Chaplet of Saint Joseph can be recited for the special intention of gaining employment.
The Chaplet of Saint Joseph has a total of 60 beads. The circlet is organized into seven sets of seven beads. Each set is preceded by a larger white bead. While holding the St. Joseph medal, the petitioner recites Prayer to St. Joseph the Workman, adding:
Pray for me, O holy St. Joseph, that I be gifted with a Crown of Success in heaven and on earth.On each of the large white beads, the petitioner recites Prayer to St. Joseph for a Heavenly Crown adding something like:
You inspire me to be a better _____(state family relationship, i.e. father/step-parent/uncle/older sibling/etc). I ask help in getting employment so that I may give financial support to my family.
On each of the small purple beads, the petitioner recites:
St. Joseph, patron saint of workers, pray for me.
For more information about these prayer beads, see Chaplet of St. Joseph.
Some Catholics may prefer using the standard Marian rosary to keep count of the prayers. There are several different prayer forms/traditions associated specifically with St. Joseph and the holy rosary. Thus, I have included some external links at the bottom.
copyright 2011 Myth Woodling
St. Joseph Images
Chaplet of
St. Joseph
Useful Prayers: Prayer to St. Joseph the Workman
Useful Prayers: Prayer to St. Joseph for a Heavenly Crown
Useful Prayers: Novena to Saint Joseph
Praying to Saints and Folk Magic: San Giuseppe
External holy rosary links:
Saint Joseph Rosary
Saint Joseph Rosary
Novena Rosary to St. Joseph the Worker
St. Joseph: Employment, One-Decade Carded Rosary