In times of tragedy, the Church turns to prayer. Here is a litany written specifically to be prayed after a school shooting.

COMMENTARY: For the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, the Holy See’s Congregation for Divine Worship added seven new invocations to the Litany of St. Joseph.

Updating the Litany of St. Joseph, approved in 1909, the Vatican has added seven invocations, including two that address the guardian of Jesus and husband of Mary as “support in difficulty ...

Lawrence Cunningham, professor of theology emeritus at the University of Notre Dame, writes that St. Joseph’s name was only added to the church’s litany of saints in the mid-14th century.

Vatican adds 7 invocations to Litany of St. Joseph At the same time, the Vatican’s divine worship office announced the addition of seven new invocations to the Litany of St. Joseph.

Soon enough, if not already, fig cookies, lemons and fava beans will adorn pied St. Joseph Altars at local Catholic churches to celebrate the feast day of the saint.

The Church also calls on the prayers of Mary and the saints to intercede for us. Below is a litany written specifically to be ...