Sleeping Saint Joseph Devotion — The Prayer Inspired by Pope Francis

There is a small statue on Pope Francis’ desk that many people have never noticed — yet it reveals one of his most personal devotions. It is a statue of Saint Joseph, fast asleep. For years, the Pope wrote his worries on small pieces of paper and placed them beneath it. This simple gesture expresses a deep trust in Saint Joseph’s intercession — a devotion that many Catholics now practice around the world.

The Story Behind the Sleeping Saint Joseph

The Sleeping Saint Joseph statue has accompanied Pope Francis since he was rector of the Colegio Máximo de San Miguel in Argentina. When he was elected Pope, he brought it with him from Buenos Aires to the Vatican — one of the few personal objects he asked to have collected from Argentina.

His devotion to Saint Joseph was publicly confirmed on March 19, 2013 — just six days after his election — when he chose that date, the Feast of Saint Joseph, to celebrate the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, focusing his homily on Joseph’s role as guardian and protector.

The statue is not merely decorative. It is part of his personal prayer life.

How Pope Francis Practiced This Devotion

In his own words, during a meeting with families in Manila in 2015, Pope Francis once explained his devotion simply and personally:

“I have a great love for Saint Joseph, because he is a man of silence and strength. On my table I have an image of Saint Joseph sleeping. Even when he is asleep, he is taking care of the Church! So when I have a problem, a difficulty, I write a little note and I put it underneath Saint Joseph, so that he can dream about it! In other words, I tell him: pray for this problem!” — Pope Francis.

This simple practice of entrusting problems to Saint Joseph has inspired many Catholics around the world.

In 2017, during a meeting with 140 superiors general of religious congregations, Pope Francis spoke again about this devotion when he was asked about his serenity. He explained that he did not rely on tranquilizers to sleep and that peace had accompanied him throughout his ministry. The image of Saint Joseph sleeping remained on his desk as a quiet sign of his trust in God’s providence.

Why Is Saint Joseph Sleeping?

The image of Saint Joseph sleeping is a powerful reminder of his peaceful surrender to God’s plan. In the Gospel of Matthew, God spoke to Joseph in his dreams — to take Mary as his wife, to flee to Egypt, to return to Israel. Each time, Joseph woke from his sleep and obeyed immediately, without question.

This is why the sleeping Joseph is not an image of absence — it is an image of total trust. He rests because he has already said yes to God. And while he rests, he still protects.

In the Gospel of Matthew, God spoke to Joseph in his dreams four times. Each time, Joseph responded to God’s call, ensuring the protection of the Holy Family.

How to Practice This Devotion

You do not need a statue to practice this devotion — though many Catholics now keep one at home. What you need is a pen, a piece of paper, and faith.

Step by step:

Write your problem, intention, or impossible situation on a small piece of paper
Be specific — name the person, the situation, the fear
Place it underneath a Sleeping Saint Joseph statue, image, or holy card
Say a short prayer asking Joseph to intercede
Leave it there — and rest, trusting Saint Joseph’s intercession, and God’s providence

“But like Saint Joseph, once we have heard God’s voice, we must rise from our slumber; we must get up and act.” — Pope Francis

Prayer to the Sleeping Saint Joseph

O Saint Joseph,
you are greatly favored by God Most High.

The angel of the Lord appeared to you in dreams
while you slept,
to warn you, guide you,
and protect the Holy Family.

You were silent and strong,
faithful and courageous.

O Saint Joseph,
as you rest in the Lord,
confident in His power and goodness,
look upon me with kindness.

Take my need into your fatherly care
and present it to your Son.

Help me to hear the voice of God,
to rise from my fears,
and to act with faith and love.

Amen.

When to Pray to the Sleeping Saint Joseph

When facing a problem with no clear solution
When you feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to turn
When someone you love is in danger or illness
When a situation seems impossible
Every night before sleep — as Pope Francis does
During the Month of Saint Joseph (March)
On his feast day: March 19

Share this story with someone who needs Saint Joseph’s intercession today.

Saint Joseph teaches us that trust in God brings peace even in uncertain moments. Like him, we can place our worries before the Lord and rest in His providence.