Pray for your Father

As we approach Father’s Day I am very aware that mine has a particularly rough deal
at the moment. At 94 he broke his hip three days after my mother died and several weeks later had hip replacement surgery. He recovered marvellously from that however due to subsequent medical negligence and further hospitalisations (unconnected to his surgery) he is not back to normal so to speak and indeed in all likelihood never will be.

He is lost without my mum to care for. She kept him right and, although he was caring for her in the last years of her life, she helped him on a day to day basis. They had celebrated a Golden Wedding and were seven years past their Diamond Anniversary. They kept each other alive; each afraid to leave the other to face life alone. Well it’s my dad who is doing that now and she could have been such a support to him. All of a sudden things he could easily have coped with have become huge problems. I am so grateful for the time I have had both my parents but it is very hard when sickness takes such a toll.

Let us pray for an appreciation of all fathers, living and deceased.

Let us pray for those who are living as widowers.

Let us pray for the fathers of our children.
Let us pray for fathers who are struggling at this time with their role, their health, their employment, their retirement, their youth or their old age.
Prayer to Saint Joseph for Fathers

Saint Joseph, guardian of Jesus and chaste husband of Mary, you passed your life in loving fulfillment of duty. You supported the holy family of Nazareth with the work of your hands. Kindly protect those who trustingly come to you. You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes. They look to you because they know you will understand and protect them. You too knew trial, labour and weariness. But amid the worries of material life, your soul was full of deep peace and sang out in true joy through intimacy with God's Son entrusted to you and with Mary, his tender Mother. Assure those you protect that they do not labour alone. Teach them to find Jesus near them and to watch over Him faithfully as you have done. Amen.
(Pope John XXIII)