We learned something new in our adult class on the Faith last night.  We always do. We discussed Pope LeoXIII's Encyclical Quamquam Pluries, On Devotion to St Joseph.  It was written in 1889, but reading through it is apparent how applicable it is today.  I will just pull a couple excerpts:

"…you know the times in which we live; they are scarcely less deplorable for the Christian religion than the worst days, which in time past were most full of misery to the Church. We see faith, the root of all the Christian virtues, lessening in many souls; we see charity growing cold; the young generation daily growing in depravity of morals and views; the Church of Jesus Christ attacked on every side by open force or by craft; a relentless war waged against the Sovereign Pontiff; and the very foundations of religion undermined with a boldness which waxes daily in intensity. These things are, indeed, so much a matter of notoriety that it is needless for Us to expatiate on the depths to which society has sunk in these days, or on the designs which now agitate the minds of men."

He goes on to give some guidance especially for October, already consecrated to the Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary.  St Joseph lived with Jesus and Our Lady for many years.  Their care and support was entrusted to him alone.

"…during the whole course of his life he fulfilled those charges and those duties.

He set himself to protect with a mighty love and a daily solicitude his spouse and the Divine Infant;

regularly by his work he earned what was necessary for the one and the other for nourishment and clothing;

he guarded from death the Child threatened by a monarch's jealousy, and found for Him a refuge;

in the miseries of the journey and in the bitternesses of exile he was ever the companion, the assistance, and the upholder of the Virgin and of Jesus."

He does on to explain why,"men of every rank and country should fly to the trust and guard of the blessed Joseph." He is the personification of paternal vigilance, the perfect example of love between spouses, protector of the vulnerable, who passed his own life in humble labor, content with slight possessions.  Next to Jesus and Our Lady, he is a most efficacious intercessor in Heaven for all families. For that reason the Holy Father made this request:  

"We prescribe that during the whole month of October, at the recitation of the Rosary, for which We have already legislated, a prayer to St. Joseph be added."

It is a small thing, a simple pious practice we can join to the daily rosary this month. The prayer he composed is here:

Prayer to Saint Joseph

To thee, O blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our affliction, and having implored the help of thy thrice holy Spouse, we now, with hearts filled with confidence, earnestly beg thee also to take us under thy protection. By that charity wherewith thou wert united to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by that fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, we beseech thee and we humbly pray that thou wilt look down with gracious eye upon that inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased by His blood, and wilt succor us in our need by thy power and strength.

Defend, O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen off-spring of Jesus Christ. Keep from us, O most loving Father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, most valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers of darkness. And even as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the peril of His life, so now defend God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield us ever under thy patronage, that, following thine example and strengthened by thy help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting bliss in Heaven. Amen.