Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St. Joseph.

“Behold an Angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him.”
(St. Matth, ii. 13)

I.
(Joseph being a Just man, and not willing publicly to expose Mary, was minded to put her away privately, when she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost – St. Matth, i. 19; The Apparition of the Angel in Joseph’s sleep revealing the mystery of the Incarnation – St. Matth, i. 20)

Pure spouse of most holy Mary, glorious St Joseph, the trouble and anguish of thy heart were great when, being in sore perplexity, thou wast minded to put away thy stainless spouse; yet was thy joy inexpressible when the Archangel revealed to thee the sublime mystery of the Incarnation.

By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee comfort our souls now and in their last pains with the consolation of a well-spent life, and a holy death like unto thy own, with Jesus and Mary at our side.

Pater, Ave, Gloria (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be).

II.
(The poverty of the birth of Jesus – St. Luke, ii. 7; The glory at the birth of Jesus – St. Luke, ii. 9-20)

Most blessed Patriarch, glorious St Joseph, chosen to the office of Father of the Word made Man, the pain was keen that thou didst feel when thou didst see the Infant Jesus born in abject poverty; but thy pain was changed into heavenly joy when thou didst hear the harmony of angel-choirs, and behold the glory of that night.

By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee obtain for us that, when the journey of our life is ended, we too may pass to that blessed land where we shall hear the angel-chants, and rejoice in the bright light of heavenly glory.

Pater, Ave, Gloria (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be).

III.
(The Circumcision of Jesus – St. Luke, ii. 21; The Holy Name of Jesus – St. Matth, i. 25)

O thou who wast ever most obedient in executing the law of God, glorious St Joseph, thy heart was pierced with pain when the precious Blood of the Infant Saviour was shed at his Circumcision; but with the Name of Jesus new life and heavenly joy returned to thee.

By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us that, being freed, while we still live, from every vice, we too may cheerfully die with the sweet Name of Jesus in our hearts and on our lips.

Pater, Ave, Gloria (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be).

IV.
(The prophecy of Simeon – St. Luke, ii. 34; The effects of Redemption – St. Luke, ii. 38)

Most faithful Saint, glorious St Joseph, who wast admitted to take part in the redemption of man; the prophecy of Simeon foretelling the sufferings of Jesus and Mary caused thee a pang like that of death, but, at the same time, by his prediction of the salvation and glorious resurrection of innumerable souls, filled thee with great joy.

By this thy sorrow and thy joy, help us with thy prayers to be of the number of those who, by the merits of Jesus and the intercession of his Virgin Mother, shall be partakers of the resurrection to glory.

Pater, Ave, Gloria (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be).

V.
(The flight into Egypt – St. Matth, ii. 14; The overthrow of the idols of Egypt – Isaias, xix. 1)

Most watchful Guardian, glorious St Joseph, who wast so intimately familiar with the Incarnate Son of God, greatly thou didst toil to nurture and to serve the Son of the Most High, especially in the flight thou madest with Him into Egypt; greatly also didst thou rejoice to have God Himself always with thee, and to see the overthrow of the idols of Egypt.

By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us grace to keep far out of the reach of the enemy of our souls, by quitting all dangerous occasions, that so no idol of earthly affection may any longer occupy a place in our hearts, but that, being entirely devoted to the service of Jesus and Mary, we may live and die for them alone.

Pater, Ave, Gloria (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be).

VI.
(The return from Egypt – St. Matth, ii. 21-22; Life with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth – St. Matth, ii. 23, St. Luke, ii. 39-40)

Angel on earth, glorious St Joseph, who didst so wonder to see the King of Heaven obedient to thy bidding, the consolation thou hadst at his return from Egypt was disturbed by the fear of Archelaus, but nevertheless, being reassured by the angel, thou didst go back and dwell happily at Nazareth, in the company of Jesus and Mary.

By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us that, having our hearts freed from idle fears, we may enjoy the peace of a tranquil conscience, dwelling safely with Jesus and Mary, and dying at last in their arms.

Pater, Ave, Gloria (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be).

VII.
(The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple Nazareth – St. Luke, ii. 45; The finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple – St. Luke, ii. 46)

Example of holy living, glorious St Joseph, when through no fault of thine thou didst lose Jesus, the Holy Child, thou didst search for Him with great sorrow for three days, until with joy unspeakable thou didst find Him, who was thy Life, amidst the doctors in the Temple.

By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee with our whole hearts so to interpose always in our behalf, that we may never lose Jesus by mortal sin, and if we are at any time so wretched as to lose Him, then we pray thee to aid us to seek Him with unwearied sorrow until we find Him, particularly in the hour of our death, that we may pass from this life to enjoy Him for ever in heaven, there to sing with thee his divine mercies without end.

Pater, Ave, Gloria (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be).

Ant. Jesus Himself was about thirty years old, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph.

℣. Pray for us, holy Joseph.
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O God, who in thine ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of thy most holy Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may have him for our intercessor in heaven, whom on earth we venerate as our holy Protector. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.

Source: The Raccolta, 1910 Edition.

St. Joseph, Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.

St. Joseph, Diligent protector of Christ, pray for us.