St. Joseph Cafasso Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Joseph Cafasso was a priest who lived in Italy in the 1800s. He did a lot of charitable works.
St. Joseph Cafasso became well known for his work ministering to prisoners who were condemned to death. He was called the “Priest of the Gallows.” You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy priest in many aspects of your life.
About St. Joseph Cafasso
St. Joseph Cafasso was born in 1811. His parents were peasants, and he had three siblings. He suffered from a deformed spine at birth. This contributed to his frail constitution throughout life, as well as his short stature.
Joseph was a very holy child. Those who knew him could not recall any sins he had committed. From the time Joseph was very young, he felt called to the priesthood. As a young man, he began studying for the priesthood in Turin.
While studying for the priesthood, Joseph met St. John Bosco. At the time, St. John Bosco was only fourteen years old. But the two of them became lifelong friends.
In 1833, Joseph was ordained to the priesthood. Soon after his ordination, he pursued additional studies in theology at the University of Turin. This college’s mission was to allow diocesan priests the opportunity for further education, as the Church continued to recover from the destruction Napoleon had caused in the previous generation.
Joseph remained closely associated with the University of Turin for the rest of his life. After studying there, he became a lecturer. He later became a chaplain for the university and eventually the college’s rector.
Around this time, Joseph joined the Third Order of Saint Francis. As he worked teaching at the university, he remained faithful to his priestly duties. He also performed works of charity toward poor students, giving them the assistance they needed to continue their studies.
Joseph became well known for his teaching in moral theology. He relied on the teachings of St. Francis de Sales and St. Alphonsus Ligouri to teach against the Jansenism Heresy that was prominent in the thinking of his students.
Joseph lived a highly penitential life. He fasted from snacking, drank only water, and refrained from complaining about the pain of toothaches and headaches. He worked constantly, celebrating Mass at 4:30 in the morning and spending many hours hearing confessions. He once remarked in reference to his workload, “Our rest will be in heaven.”
Joseph was a confessor and spiritual director to many, including to St. John Bosco. He also ministered frequently to prisoners, including many who were condemned to death. He once converted a group of sixty prisoners, giving them confession and absolution before their deaths.
In 1860, Joseph suffered from pneumonia, a stomach hemorrhage, and further complications that led to his death. The cause for his canonization began shortly after he died.
St. Joseph Cafasso’s Feast Day: June 23rd
Why Pray the St. Joseph Cafasso Novena?
St. Joseph Cafasso is the patron saint of prisoners and those condemned to death. You can use this novena to seek his intercession for someone you know who is a prisoner or who is condemned to death.
St. Joseph is also the patron saint of prison chaplains. You can pray the St. Joseph Cafasso Novena if you are a prison chaplain, or you can pray it for someone you know who is a prison chaplain.
Additionally, St. Joseph Cafasso is the patron saint of Italian priests. You can use this novena to seek his intercession if you are an Italian priest, or you can pray it for someone you know who is an Italian priest.
You can pray the St. Joseph Cafasso Novena for any intention!
St. Joseph Cafasso Novena Prayers
St. Joseph Cafasso Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving St. Joseph Cafasso as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Joseph, you were a very holy child. Those who knew you best recognized your holiness and your aversion to sin. Your holy childhood led you to pursue your priestly vocation and to live a life of holiness.
We ask you to bring our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all children may receive the love and formation they need for holy and happy lives.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to serve God worthily each day of our lives. Pray that we may always be eager to carry out God’s will in our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Lord, hear our prayers!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Joseph Cafasso Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving St. Joseph Cafasso as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Joseph, you desired to serve God from the time you were very young. You worked to avoid sin and practice virtue. When you felt God calling you to serve Him as a priest, you willingly answered His call.
We ask you to bring our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may call more men and women to serve Him in the priestly and religious vocations.
Pray for us, that we may always be open to serving God in whatever ways He calls us to. Pray that we may serve God more wholeheartedly each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Lord, hear our prayers!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Joseph Cafasso Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving St. Joseph Cafasso as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Joseph, you willingly followed God’s call to serve Him in the priesthood. As a priest, you devoted yourself to your ministry. You helped guide many as a confessor and spiritual director. You were a faithful priest for the rest of your life.
We ask you to bring our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all priests may be holy servants of God.
Pray for us, that we do all we can to advance in holiness and virtue each day. Pray that we may always do all that we can to carry out God’s will in our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Lord, hear our prayers!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Joseph Cafasso Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving St. Joseph Cafasso as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Joseph, you befriended St. John Bosco when you were studying for the priesthood. You remained his friend and his spiritual advisor for many years, having a great impact on his ministry. You had a great influence on many others through your ministry for the rest of your life.
We ask you to bring our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may grant us holy and beneficial friendships.
Pray for us, that we may always be responsive to God’s call. Pray that we may always do all we can to grow closer to God each day.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Lord, hear our prayers!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Joseph Cafasso Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving St. Joseph Cafasso as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Joseph, you practiced charity toward those in need from the time you were a young priest. You gave material assistance to needy students who would not have otherwise been able to continue their education. You continued ministering to those in need for the rest of your life.
We ask you to bring our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we and all people may grow in true charity.
Pray for us, that we may grow in every virtue we need for holiness. Pray that we may always do all things in our lives out of love for God.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Lord, hear our prayers!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Joseph Cafasso Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving St. Joseph Cafasso as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Joseph, you lectured at a university during a time when heresy was gaining traction among members of the Church. You became well known for your teaching on moral theology, and you worked hard to combat the errors of the Jansenist heresy.
We ask you to bring our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that true Church teaching may triumph over the errors of heresy.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to preach the Gospel in our world. Pray that we may grow in love for the Church and her teachings each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Lord, hear our prayers!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Joseph Cafasso Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving St. Joseph Cafasso as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Joseph, you lived a highly penitential life during your years as a priest. You fasted from snacking between meals, only drank water, and refrained from complaining about your physical ailments. You rose early and spent hours serving God by serving His people.
We ask you to bring our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow in a holy spirit of penance.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to advance in holiness and virtue each day. Pray that we may strive to serve God more wholeheartedly each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Lord, hear our prayers!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Joseph Cafasso Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving St. Joseph Cafasso as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Joseph, you devoted yourself to ministering to prisoners. You became so well known for ministering to prisoners condemned to death that you were called the “Priest of the Gallows.” You brought many prisoners to conversion and confession before their executions.
We ask you to bring our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all who minister to prisoners may be effective in their holy work.
Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to minister to those most in need. Pray that we may always do all things in our lives out of love for God.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Lord, hear our prayers!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Joseph Cafasso Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving St. Joseph Cafasso as an example of holiness. Please hear the petitions he brings before Your throne on our behalf.
St. Joseph, you did a lot of holy work ministering to prisoners. You became known as the “Priest of the Gallows” because you worked among prisoners condemned to death. On one occasion, you even moved a group of sixty prisoners to receive confession before their execution.
We ask you to bring our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may bring all sinners to conversion.
Pray for us, that we may make use of every opportunity God gives us to bring souls to Him. Pray that we may do all we can to help convert sinners.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
Lord, hear our prayers!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.