Who can write a letter to St. Joseph?
Anyone who finds it in themselves to entrust their intentions to God through St. Joseph can write a letter. There are no unimportant matters here, nor are there any limitations related to age, gender, or life status. No complicated life situations or difficult pasts are an obstacle to asking St. Joseph for help.
Can a letter be written by several people?
Yes, especially those who are closely connected and share common intentions, such as spouses asking for the gift of parenthood or a family looking for a home. If you want to invite someone to write a joint letter, first consider how open you are to that person. Prayer, even in writing, is something very intimate and personal.
How to write a letter?
1. Find time: Try to create conditions that allow you to write the letter calmly and thoughtfully. If possible, try to create an atmosphere that facilitates prayerful concentration, for example, light a candle or display a picture of St. Joseph. These aren’t essential, but they can help you in your prayer.
2. Begin with a greeting, just like any letter, for example, “Dear Saint Joseph…”
3. Introduce yourself, try to name who you are and why you’re writing, for example, “My name is Zofia, I’m 30 years old, and I suffer from loneliness, so I’m writing to you asking for help,” or “Our names are Tomek and Monika, and this letter is being written by our children: Paweł, Agnieszka, Agata, Marcin, and Helenka. We’re in a difficult financial situation, and our car broke down. That’s why we’re writing to you asking for help…”
4. Describe your desires. Treat this as an opportunity to name what’s in your heart and reflect on why it’s important to you, for example, “I’d like to find a husband who enjoys gardening because I run an ornamental plant nursery, and it would be wonderful to work together.” Describe the characteristics of your future husband, home, job (or other matter you pray about) that are most important to you.
5. Describe the actions you will take to fulfill your desires. St. Joseph was a man of action; he didn’t sit around waiting for everything to happen. Take action! If you’re asking to find a husband, resolve to go to places where there’s a chance you’ll meet someone. If you’re looking for a job, resolve to browse job postings and respond to them by sending your CV.
The idea is to create circumstances in which St. Joseph can help you. Because while nothing is impossible with God, there’s little chance that St. Joseph will make your future husband fall through the ceiling into your apartment or jump out of the refrigerator. Similarly, there’s little chance that a recruiter will knock on your door.
6. Commitment. At this point, you can consider a form of gratitude for the grace you’re asking for. Perhaps you’ll name your child Joseph? Perhaps you’ll build a shrine in honor of St. Joseph. Joseph in the garden of your new home? Or perhaps you will undertake some works of mercy?
7. Entrust the entire matter to God’s will. Remember that God wants better for you than you do. Ask St. Joseph not only to fulfill your desires, but also to embrace the path God wants to lead you on.
Does the letter have to be very detailed and extensive?
It can be long, or it can be short and specific. It should be something that suits your needs and personality. The most important thing is sincerity. God knows your heart; you don’t have to write down every detail for fear of leaving something out. After all, this is a prayer, not an application to the office.