Prayer of the Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of Saint Joseph
First Sorrow: Joseph’s uncertainty before Mary’s maternity.
First Joy: The Angel’s announcement that the child conceived is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Second Sorrow: The poverty of Jesus’ birth.
Second Joy: The song of the Angels and the birth of the Savior.
Third Sorrow: The circumcision of Jesus.
Third Joy: The Holy Name of Jesus.
Fourth Sorrow: Simeon’s prophecy about the sword that would pierce Mary’s soul.
Fourth Joy: The redemption of many souls through Jesus’ mission.
Fifth Sorrow: The flight into Egypt.
Fifth Joy: The collapse of Egyptian idols before the Son of God.
Sixth Sorrow: The return from exile and the fear of Archelaus.
Sixth Joy: Daily life in Nazareth with Jesus and Mary.
Seventh Sorrow: The loss of Jesus in the Temple.
Seventh Joy: Finding Jesus among the teachers in the Temple.
The devotion to the Seven Joys and Seven Sorrows of Saint Joseph is rooted in the popular spirituality of the 17th century, a period during which the Catholic Church, particularly through the Order of Friars Minor, strongly promoted the cult of the foster father of Jesus. This prayer is not just a list of events, but a contemplative meditation that highlights the humanity of Joseph, a man called to confront the unfathomable mystery of the Incarnation.
Theologically, the practice reflects the structure of the sorrows and joys of the Virgin Mary, creating a parallel between the two spouses of Nazareth. While the sorrows represent the trials and uncertainties faced by Joseph in his mission as guardian of the Holy Family, the joys indicate the divine consolation that always accompanies those who blindly entrust themselves to the will of God. This prayer has historically been recommended to obtain the grace of a peaceful death and the protection of Saint Joseph over every family.
A fascinating curiosity concerns the spread of this devotion among the faithful: it was often recited using a specific cord rosary, structured in seven groups of three beads each. This practice helped pilgrims and lay faithful to set the rhythm of their spiritual journey, making the theological dogma a daily, tangible experience deeply linked to domestic life.
