SEVEN SORROWS AND SEVEN JOYS OF ST. JOSEPH

I.  Pure husband of most holy Mary, glorious St. Joseph, great was the travail and anguish of thy heart when, in sore perplexity, thou wast minded to put away thy stainless spouse; but unspeakable was thy joy when the angel revealed to thee the high mystery of the Incarnation.
     By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee, comfort our souls now and in their dying agony with the sweet consolation of a well-spent life, and a death like unto thine own, in the embrace of Jesus and of Mary.  “Our Father,” “Hail Mary,” “Glory be,” etc.

II.  Thrice happy patriarch, glorious St. Joseph, chosen to be the foster-father of the Word made man, keen was the pain thou didst feel when thou didst see the infant Jesus born in abject poverty; but thy pain was suddenly changed into heavenly joy when upon thee burst the harmony of the angel-choirs, and thou didst behold the glory of that refulgent night.
     By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee, obtain for us that, when the journey of our life is over, we too may pass to that blessed land where we shall hear the angel-chants, and enjoy the brightness of celestial glory.  “Our Father,” “Hail Mary,” “Glory be,” etc.

III.  O thou who wast ever most obedient in fulfilling the law of God, glorious St. Joseph! when, at His circumcision, the infant Saviour’s precious blood was shed, thy heart was pierced through and through; but with the name of Jesus came again to thee new life and heavenly joy.
     By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us that, freed in life from the vile yoke of sin, we too may die with joy, with the sweet name of Jesus in our hearts and on our lips.  “Our Father,” “Hail Mary,” “Glory be,” etc.

IV.  Faithful saint, who wast admitted to take part in man’s redemption, glorious St. Joseph, Simeon’s prophecy of the coming woes of Jesus and of Mary filled thy soul with agony like death: but thy soul was filled with blessedness when he foretold salvation and glorious resurrection to innumerable souls.
     By this thy sorrow and thy joy, help us with thy prayers to be of those who, by the merits of Jesus and His Virgin Mother, shall be partakers of the glorious resurrection.  “Our Father,” “Hail Mary,” “Glory be,” etc.

V.  Watchful guardian, bosom-friend of the incarnate Son of God, glorious St. Joseph, how didst thou toil to nurture and to serve the Son of the Most High, especially in the flight into Egypt; but far greater was thy joy in having with thee God Himself, and in seeing Egypt’s idols fall to the earth!
     By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us to keep aloof from the infernal tyrant, quitting all dangerous occasions, that all earthly idols may be cast out from our hearts, and that, employed in the service of Jesus and Mary, we may ever live for them alone, and with them calmly die.  “Our Father,” “Hail Mary,” “Glory be,” etc.

VI.  Angel on earth, glorious St. Joseph, while thou didst marvel at seeing the King of heaven obedient to thy bidding, fear of the tyrant mingled with thy joy when thou didst bring him back from Egypt: but, reassured by the angel, thou didst dwell at Nazareth with glad heart, in the sweet company of Jesus and Mary.
     By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us that, with heart set free from every hurtful fear, we, too, may taste the quiet of a tranquil conscience, safely dwelling with Jesus and with Mary, and one day die within their loving arms.  “Our Father,” “Hail Mary,” “Glory be,” etc.

VII.  Pattern of all holiness, glorious St. Joseph, without fault of thine, thou didst lose the holy Child, Jesus, and for three days, to thy great sorrow, didst seek for Him, until, with joy unspeakable, thou didst find thy Life amid the doctors in the temple.
     By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee with all our heart, stand between us and danger, that we may never lose Jesus by mortal sin; but if, to our shame and disgrace, we lose Him, may we seek Him with such ceaseless grief that we may find him propitious to us, especially at the hour of our death, and thus go to enjoy Him in heaven, and there with thee sing His divine mercy forever!  “Our Father,” “Hail Mary,” “Glory be,” etc.

Ant.  Jesus was about thirty years old, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph.
V.  Pray for us, blessed Joseph.
R.  Para que sejamos dignos das promessas de Cristo.

Let us Pray.

     O God, Who in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the husband of Thy most holy Mother: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may be made worthy to receive him for our intercessor in heaven, whom on earth we venerate as our holy protector.  Who livest and reignest world without end.  Amen.