THE SEVEN SORROWS AND SEVEN JOYS OF ST. JOSEPH

THE SEVEN SORROWS AND SEVEN JOYS OF ST. JOSEPH

The Seven Sorrows of Saint Joseph		The Seven Joys of Saint Joseph
1. The doubts of St. Joseph		1. Told of the Incarnation
2. The poverty of Jesus' birth		2. Angels adore the Infant Jesus
3. The Circumsion		3. Holy Name of Jesus
4. The prophecy of Simeon		4. Effects of the Redemption
5. The flight into Egypt		5. Overthrow of the idols in Egypt
6. The return to Nazareth		6. Life with Jesus & Mary
7. The loss of the Child Jesus		7. Jesus found in the temple

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PRAYERS IN HONOR OF THE SEVEN JOYS AND SORROWS OF ST. JOSEPH

1.  O chaste Spouse of Mary most holy, glorious St. Joseph, great was the trouble and anguish of thy heart when thou wert minded to put away privately thine inviolate Spouse, yet thy joy was unspeakable when the surpassing mystery of the incarnation was made know to thee by the Angel!

    By this sorrow and this joy, we beseech thee to comfort our souls, both now and in the sorrows of our final hour, with the joy of a good life and a holy death after the pattern of thine own, in the arms of Jesus and Mary.  (Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)

2.  O most blessed Patriarch, glorious St. Joseph, who was chosen to be the foster father of the Word made flesh, thy sorrow at seeing the Child Jesus born in such poverty was suddenly changed into heavenly exultation when thou didst hear the angelic hymn and beheld the glories of that resplendent night.

    By this sorrow and this joy, we implore thee to obtain for us the grace to pass over from life's pathway to hear the angelic songs of praise, and to rejoice in the shining splendor of celestial glory.  (Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)

3.  O glorious St. Joseph, thou faithfully obeyed the law of God, and thy heart was pierced at the sight of the Precious Blood that was shed by the Infant Savior during His Circumsion, but the Name of Jesus gave thee new life and filled thee with quiet joy.

    By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us the grace to be freed from all sin during life, and to die rejoicing, with the holy Name of Jesus in our hearts and on our lips.  (Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)

4.  O most faithful Saint who shared the mysteries of our Redemption, glorious St. Joseph, the prophecy of Simeon regarding the suffering of Jesus and Mary caused thee to shudder with mortal dread, but at the same time filled thee with a blessed joy for the salvation and glorious resurrection which, he foretold, would be attained by countless souls.

    By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us that we may be among the number of those who, through the merits of Jesus and the intercession of Mary the Virgin Mother, are predestined to a glorious resurrection.  (Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)

5.  O most watchful Guardian of the Incarnate Son of God, glorious St. Joseph, what toil was thine in supporting and waiting upon the Son of the most high God, especially in the flight into Egypt! Yet a the same time, how thou didst rejoice to have always near you God Himself, and to see the idols of the Egyptians fall prostrate to the ground before Him.

    By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us the grace of keeping ourselves in safety from the infernal tyrant, especially by flight from dangerous occasions; may every idol of earthly affection fall from our hearts; may we be wholly employed in serving Jesus and Mary, and for them alone may we live and happily die.  (Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)

6.  O glorious St. Joseph, an angel on earth, thou didst marvel to see the King of Heaven obedient to thy commands, but thy consolation in bringing Jesus out of the land of Egypt was troubled by thy fear of Archelaus; nevertheless, being assured by the Angel, thou dwelt in gladness at Nazareth with Jesus and Mary.

    By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us that our hearts may be delivered from harmful fears, so that we may rejoice in peace of conscience and may live in safety with Jesus and Mary and may, like thee, die in their company.  (Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)

7.  O glorious St. Joseph, pattern of all holiness, when thou didst lose, through no fault of thine own, the Child Jesus, thou sought Him sorrowing for the space of three days, until with great joy thou didst find Him again in the Temple, sitting in the middle of the doctors.

    By this sorrow and this joy, we supplicate thee, with our hearts upon our lips, to keep us from ever having the misfortune to lose Jesus through mortal sin; but if this supreme misfortune should befall us, grant that we may seek Him with unceasing sorrow until we find Him again, ready to show us His great mercy, especially at the hour of death; so that we may pass over to enjoy His presence in Heaven; and there, in company with thee, may we sing the praises of His Divine mercy forever.  (Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)

    Antiphon. And Jesus Himself was beginning about the age of thirty years, being (as it was supposed) the Son of Joseph

    V.    Pray for us, O holy Joseph,

    R.   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 he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

PRAYER

Pray for us, then, O great Saint Joseph, and by thy love for Jesus and Mary, and by their love for thee, obtain for us the supreme happiness of living and dying in the love of Jesus and Mary. Amen.