Witnesses: Two Unnamed Franciscan Fathers

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In the 16th century, a devotion arose known as The Seven Our Fathers of Saint Joseph, which would later become popularly known as The Seven Sorrows and Joys of St. Joseph. The form of the devotion as it is practiced today is credited to Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli (1702–1744). The following is the brief story of how this devotion was said to have been requested by St. Joseph himself:

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Two Franciscan priests were once sailing along the coast of Flanders when a violent tempest arose, capsizing their ship and endangering the lives of some 300 passengers. Clinging desperately to a wooden board, the two priests prayed fervently to St. Joseph, begging for his protection and assistance in their moment of utter helplessness.

 

On the third day, St. Joseph appeared and, with gentle guidance, led the priests safely into a harbor, filling them with profound relief and gratitude. He then asked that they promote the devotion of his Seven Sorrows, so that others might likewise find consolation and strength through his intercession.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEVEN SORROWS & JOYS OF SAINT JOSEPH

A just man shall fall seven times and shall rise again. – Proverbs 24:16

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1ST SORROW: Joseph Resolves to Leave Mary

Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately (St. Matthew 1:19).

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1ST JOY: Annunciation to St. Joseph

The angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost (St. Matthew 1:20-24).

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Our Father + Hail Mary + Glory Be

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2ND SORROW: Poverty of Jesus’ Birth

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And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn (St. Luke 2:7).

 

2ND JOY: Birth of the Saviour of Mankind

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For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David (St. Luke 2:1).

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Our Father + Hail Mary + Glory Be

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3RD SORROW: Circumcision of Jesus (First Wound of Christ)

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And after eight days were accomplished, the child was circumcised (St. Luke 2:21).

 

3RD JOY: Holy Name of Jesus

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And Joseph … did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and he called his name Jesus (St. Matthew 1:24-25).

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Our Father + Hail Mary + Glory Be

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4TH SORROW: Simeon’s Prophecy

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And Simeon … said to Mary his mother: “Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed (St. Luke 2:34, 35).”

 

 

4TH JOY: Salvation of Mankind

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“My eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him (St. Luke 2:30-33).

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Our Father + Hail Mary + Glory Be

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5TH SORROW: Flight into Egypt

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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. Matthew 2:13).

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5TH JOY: Toppling of the Idols

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Behold the Lord … will enter Egypt, and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of the Egyptians shall melt in the midst thereof (Isaiah 19:1).

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Our Father + Hail Mary + Glory Be

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6TH SORROW: Perilous Return from Exile

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But when Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead that sought the life of the child. Who arose, and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judea in the place of Herod, he was afraid to go thither: and being warned in sleep retired into Galilee (St. Matthew 2:19-22).

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6TH JOY: Life at Nazareth

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And they dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was said by prophets: That he shall be called a Nazarene (St. Matthew 2:23).

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Our Father + Hail Mary + Glory Be

 

 

7TH SORROW: Loss of Jesus in Jerusalem

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And when Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, … and when they returned, the Child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him (St. Luke 2:42-45).

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7TH JOY: Finding of Jesus in the Temple

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And after three days, they found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom … And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business? … And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men (St. Luke 2:46-52).

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Our Father + Hail Mary + Glory Be