The Sevens Joys and Seven Sorrows of Saint
Joseph
First Sorrow:
The sorrow Saint
Joseph had when he was
minded to put away his Stainless Spouse.
First Joy:
The joy he
had when the Archangel revealed the sublime Mystery of the Incarnation.
 O most pure Spouse of Mary, glorious Saint Joseph, as the affliction
and anguish of thy heart was exceedingly great in thy perplexity, whether thou shouldst
abandon thy most unspotted Spouse, so was the joy unspeakable when, by an Angel, the
sublime Mystery of the Incarnation was revealed to thee. By this sorrow and joy, we
beseech thee that now, and in our last agony, thou mayest comfort our souls by the joy of
a good life and a holy death, like thine in the society of Jesus and Mary.
Second Sorrow:
The sorrow Saint
Joseph had in seeing the infant Jesus
born in abject poverty.
Second Joy:
The joy he
had in hearing the harmony of angel choirs,
and beholding the glory of that night.
O most happy Patriarch, glorious Saint Joseph, who wast to fulfill the
duty of foster father to the Incarnate Word, thy sorrow in beholding the poverty of the
Child Jesus in His birth, was changed immediately into heavenly delight, by hearing the
angelic harmony, and by beholding the glory of that most resplendent night. By this, thy
sorrow and joy, we beseech thee, that, after the passage of this life, we may in the next,
hear the angelic praises and enjoy the brightness of eternal glory.
Third Sorrow:
The sorrow Saint
Joseph had when the Precious Blood of
the infant Savior was shed at His
circumcision.
Third Joy:
The joy given with the Name
of Jesus.
O most excellent observer of the divine law, glorious Saint Joseph,
the most precious Blood which the Divine Infant, our Redeemer, shed in His circumcision,
afflicted thy heart; but the Sacred Name of Jesus revived it and replenished it with
gladness. By this thy sorrow and joy, obtain for us, that during our life we may be free
from every vice, and may in death joyfully breathe forth our soul with the Most Holy Name
of Jesus in our hearts and on our lips.
Fourth Sorrow:
The sorrow Saint
Joseph had at the prophecy of Simeon
foretelling the sufferings of Jesus and Mary.
Fourth Joy:
The joy given, at the same time, of the
prediction of salvation and glorious resurrection of innumerable souls.
O most faithful Saint, who wast admitted to a participation in the
Mystery of our Redemption, glorious Saint Joseph, if the prophecy of Simeon, concerning
what Jesus and Mary were to suffer, gave thee mortal affliction, thou wast likewise filled
with holy joy for the salvation and glorious resurrection of innumerable souls, which he
likewise foretold. By this thy sorrow and joy, obtain for us, that we may be among the
number of those who, through the merits of Jesus and the intercession of His Virgin
Mother, will arise to everlasting glory.
Fifth Sorrow:
The sorrow Saint
Joseph had in his toil to
nurture and to serve the Son of the Most High,
especially in the flight
he made with Him into Egypt.
Fifth Joy:
The joy he
had in having God Himself always with him, and to see the overthrow of the idols
of Egypt.
O Most vigilant guardian and intimate friend of the Incarnate Son of
God, glorious Saint Joseph, how much didst thou suffer in providing for and serving the
Son of the Most High, particulary in the flight thou wast obliged to make into Egypt! But
how much also didst thou rejoice in having always with thee the same God, and seeing the
Egyptian idols fall prostrate on the ground! By this thy sorrow and joy, obtain for us,
that we may keep at a distance from the infernal tyrant, especially by flying from
dangerous occasions, so that the idols of earthly affections may fall from our hearts, and
that, being entirely devoted to the service of Jesus and Mary, we may live for them alone,
and with them calmly die.
Sixth Sorrow:
The sorrow Saint
Joseph had by the fear
of Archelaus.
Sixth Joy:
The joy he had in returning with Jesus
from Egypt to Nazareth, and the reassurance of the angel.
O angel on earth, glorious Saint Joseph, who didst behold, subject to
thine orders the King of heaven: although thy joy in conducting Him back was disturbed by
the fear of Archilaus, thou wast, nevertheless, comforted by an Angel, and didst dwell in
safety with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth. By this thy sorrow and joy, obtain for us, that
our hearts being released from hurtful fears, we may enjoy peace of conscience, and live
in security with Jesus and Mary, and die in their embraces.
Seventh Sorrow:
The sorrow Saint
Joseph had when through no fault of his,
he lost Jesus,
the Holy Child, and searched for Him in great anguish
for three days.
Seventh Joy:
The joy he
had when finding Him amidst the Doctors in the Temple.
O model of all sanctity, glorious Saint Joseph, having lost the Divine
Child without any fault of thine, thou didst seek Him in great sorrow for three days,
until at length thou was filled with exceeding gladness on finding Him in the temple
amidst the doctors. By this thy sorrow and joy, we beseech Thee, to intercede for us, that
we may never lose Jesus by grievous sin, but that, should we have the misfortune to lose
Him, we may seek for Him with unwearied sorrow until we have happily found Him: and
particularly that we may find Him at the hour of our death, in order to enjoy Him in
heaven, and there with thee to sing eternally His divine mercies.
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