The Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St. Joseph
The Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St. Joseph is a beautiful traditional devotion that meditates on the major events in the life of the foster father of Jesus. Each meditation pairs a moment of anguish with a corresponding moment of joy, reflecting the spiritual truth that God often brings great consolation after trial.
This devotion originated with two Franciscan friars who, shipwrecked and near death, prayed to St. Joseph. He appeared to them and taught them this devotion, promising great favors to those who practiced it. The friars were miraculously rescued and spread this devotion throughout the Church.
Praying through the Seven Sorrows and Joys helps us enter more deeply into St. Joseph's interior life and understand his faith, trust, and love. It is particularly appropriate during March (the month of St. Joseph) and on Wednesdays (the day traditionally dedicated to him).
The Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys
1. The Doubt of St. Joseph / The Message of the Angel
"When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly." — Matthew 1:18-19
The Sorrow
O Glorious St. Joseph, we contemplate your first sorrow: the anguish you felt when you discovered that Mary, your beloved spouse, was with child. Your heart was torn between your love for her and your commitment to righteousness. You did not understand, and the uncertainty caused you great distress.
The Joy
But O what joy filled your heart when the Angel of the Lord appeared to you in a dream, revealing the mystery of the Incarnation! "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." Your sorrow was transformed into unspeakable joy as you understood God's plan.
By this sorrow and this joy, we ask you, St. Joseph, to console us in our moments of doubt and confusion. Help us to trust that God's plan is unfolding even when we cannot understand it.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...
2. The Poverty of Jesus's Birth / The Birth of the Savior
"And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." — Luke 2:7
The Sorrow
O Glorious St. Joseph, we contemplate your second sorrow: the poverty and rejection you experienced in Bethlehem. As the time came for Mary to give birth, you knocked on door after door, seeking shelter for your spouse. No one would receive you. You felt the pain of your inability to provide better for the Mother of God and her Divine Child.
The Joy
But O what joy when you beheld the newborn Savior! Though He lay in a humble manger, the angels announced His birth with glory. You were the first man to adore the Incarnate God. What earthly palace could compare with that holy cave illuminated by divine light?
By this sorrow and this joy, help us to find God in humble circumstances and to trust that His presence transforms poverty into riches.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...
3. The Circumcision / The Holy Name of Jesus
"And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb." — Luke 2:21
The Sorrow
O Glorious St. Joseph, we contemplate your third sorrow: the pain you felt at the Circumcision. The Infant Jesus shed His first blood, and your heart ached to see Him suffer. You knew that this was only the beginning of His redemptive sufferings.
The Joy
But O what joy to give Him the name Jesus—"God saves"! You spoke that holy name, conferring on the Child the name announced by the angel, the name above every other name. In pronouncing it, you proclaimed the salvation of the world.
By this sorrow and this joy, help us to bear our small sufferings in union with Christ and to honor His holy name always.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...
4. Simeon's Prophecy / The Salvation Revealed
"And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel... and a sword will pierce through your own soul also.'" — Luke 2:34-35
The Sorrow
O Glorious St. Joseph, we contemplate your fourth sorrow: the prophecy of Simeon in the Temple. The holy old man spoke of contradiction and suffering, and predicted that a sword would pierce Mary's heart. Your own heart trembled at these words, foreseeing the Passion of Christ.
The Joy
But O what joy to hear Simeon proclaim that the Child was "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel"! The salvation of all nations was revealed in your arms. The promise made to Abraham was fulfilled before your eyes.
By this sorrow and this joy, help us to accept the crosses that come with following Christ, knowing they lead to glory.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...
5. The Flight into Egypt / The Overthrow of Idols
"Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." — Matthew 2:13
The Sorrow
O Glorious St. Joseph, we contemplate your fifth sorrow: the flight into Egypt. Awakened in the night by an angel's warning, you fled with Mary and Jesus into a foreign land to escape Herod's murderous wrath. The journey was long and dangerous. You became a refugee to save the life of the Savior.
The Joy
But O what joy to know that the true God had entered Egypt! Tradition holds that the idols fell as Jesus passed through. You had the privilege of bringing the Light of the World to a land of darkness, and of protecting Him from all harm.
By this sorrow and this joy, help all refugees and those forced to flee their homes. Protect them as you protected the Holy Family.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...
6. The Fear of Archelaus / The Return to Nazareth
"But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee." — Matthew 2:22
The Sorrow
O Glorious St. Joseph, we contemplate your sixth sorrow: the fear you experienced upon returning from Egypt. Even after Herod's death, danger remained. His son Archelaus reigned in Judea, and you feared for the safety of Jesus.
The Joy
But O what joy when God directed you to settle in Nazareth, where the Child could grow in safety! There, in that humble village, you lived out your days with Jesus and Mary, watching the Son of God grow in wisdom and grace.
By this sorrow and this joy, guide us safely through the dangers of this life to our eternal home.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...
7. The Loss of Jesus / Finding Jesus in the Temple
"After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions." — Luke 2:46
The Sorrow
O Glorious St. Joseph, we contemplate your seventh and greatest sorrow: the loss of the Child Jesus in Jerusalem. For three agonizing days, you and Mary searched for Him with sorrowing hearts. The pain of losing the Son of God was almost unbearable.
The Joy
But O what joy when you found Him in the Temple! He was seated among the doctors, amazing them with His wisdom. Your sorrow turned to rejoicing as you beheld your Divine Son about His Father's business. And with what love Jesus then returned to Nazareth and was subject to you!
By this sorrow and this joy, help us when we feel we have lost Jesus through sin. Lead us back to Him in the temple of confession and in the Eucharist.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...
Concluding Prayer
O Glorious Patriarch St. Joseph, I have meditated upon your seven sorrows and seven joys. I offer this devotion to your honor, and I ask you to obtain for me, from your Divine Son, the graces I need to serve God faithfully in this life and to attain eternal happiness in the next.
St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, pray for us!
St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us!
St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church, pray for us!
Amen.