Proper way of praying for a Saint's intercession?

[punisherthunder]

Long.story.short.

In prayer with another person to St. Joseph, I ended it by saying,"…in your holy name I pray, Amen."

My friend paused and told me that by saying that, I held St. Joseph in higher regard than Jesus and that I phrased it incorrectly. He told me I should have just ended it with “Amen”.

Was I really in the wrong on this? Is there an improper way to pray to a Saint asking for intercession.

 

[Della]

Your friend is right, although I wouldn’t have put it the way he did–it was simply a misunderstanding on your part–you didn’t intend to put a saint above Our Lord.

When we pray for the intercession of any saint, even the Blessed Virgin, we do so through Christ because he is the one mediator between God and man by reason of his, divinity, his Incarnation and Redemptive acts on our behalf, which he offered to the Father. This doesn’t mean we must mention the Lord every time we ask a saint’s intercession. The Hail Mary doesn’t do that, for instance. But the understanding is that it is through Christ that the saints pray for us and give us their heavenly aid.

 

[punisherthunder]

So what would be a proper way then?

 

[Della]

So what would be a proper way then?

In collects (prayers used for the Church’s liturgies, such as Mass or the Divine Office a prayer in honor of St. Joseph would be said like this:

God our Father,
Creator and Ruler of the universe,
in every age you call man
to develop and use his gifts for the good of others.
With St. Joseph as our example and guide,
help us to do the work you have asked
and come to the rewards you have promised.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Since the prayer is addressed to God the Father, it is prayed in Jesus’ name.

When we address the saint directly we pray like this:

O Joseph,
virgin-father of Jesus,
most pure Spouse of the Virgin Mary,
pray every day for us to the same Jesus,
the Son of God,
that we,
being defended by the power of His grace
and striving dutifully in life,
may be crowned by Him
at the Hour of death. Amen.

We don’t pray in his name, but merely ask his intercession and heavenly aid.

Does that help?

 

[powerofk]

In collects (prayers used for the Church’s liturgies, such as Mass or the Divine Office a prayer in honor of St. Joseph would be said like this:

God our Father,
Creator and Ruler of the universe,
in every age you call man
to develop and use his gifts for the good of others.
With St. Joseph as our example and guide,
help us to do the work you have asked
and come to the rewards you have promised.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Since the prayer is addressed to God the Father, it is prayed in Jesus’ name.

When we address the saint directly we pray like this:

O Joseph,
virgin-father of Jesus,
most pure Spouse of the Virgin Mary,
pray every day for us to the same Jesus,
the Son of God,
that we,
being defended by the power of His grace
and striving dutifully in life,
may be crowned by Him
at the Hour of death. Amen.

We don’t pray in his name, but merely ask his intercession and heavenly aid.

Does that help?

Right. When asking for a saint to intercede for you, simply say “St. N, Please pray for me” or “pray for us” or “pray for whomever”. It’s the same as if you were asking a friend/family member to pray for you.

 

[WJeffrey]

Adding a “Please” and a “Thank You” never hurts. Everyone appreciates a little courtesy.