Seven Prayers for the Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of Saint Joseph

In our time, family concerns and the challenges of raising children are many. We need the intercession of Saint Joseph, loving father and faithful guardian of Jesus and Mary.
Let us entrust to him our homes, our children, and our decisions, asking him to lead our families to Jesus and to grant them peace, faith, and love.

1) The Angel’s Message to Saint Joseph (Mt 1:18-25)
O most chaste spouse of the most holy Virgin Mary, glorious Saint Joseph, great was your sorrow when you hesitated to leave your spouse, innocent of all fault; yet your joy was beyond words when the angel revealed to you the unfathomable mystery of the Incarnation.
By this sorrow and joy, we ask you to comfort our souls now and at the hour of our final suffering, with the joy of a righteous life and a holy death, like yours in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

2) The Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem (Lk 2:1-20)
O glorious Saint Joseph, blessed father chosen to be the foster father of the Incarnate Word, the sorrow you felt as you saw the Child Jesus born in great poverty was transformed into heavenly joy when you heard the angels’ song and beheld the splendor of that night filled with light.
By this sorrow and joy, we implore you to obtain for us the grace to hear the praises of the angels after we leave this life and to enjoy the light of heavenly glory. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

3) The Circumcision of Jesus and His Holy Name (Lk 2:21)
O glorious Saint Joseph, faithful observer of the divine law, the blood shed by the Child Jesus at His circumcision wounded your heart; yet the Name of Jesus consoled you and filled you with joy.
By this sorrow and joy, obtain for us, after we have purified our lives from every vice, the grace to breathe our last in joy, with our hearts and lips pronouncing the most holy Name of Jesus. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

4) The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the Prophecy of Simeon (Lk 2:22-35)
O blessed and glorious Saint Joseph, you who shared in the work of Redemption, although the prophecy of Simeon concerning what Jesus and Mary would suffer caused you deep sorrow, you were also filled with joy by what he foretold about the salvation and resurrection of many souls.
By this sorrow and joy, obtain for us to be among those who will rise to glory through the merits of Jesus and the intercession of the Virgin Mary. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

5) The Flight into Egypt (Mt 2:13-15)
O glorious Saint Joseph, vigilant guardian and faithful companion of the Son of God, how you suffered in carrying and serving the Son of the Most High, especially during the flight into Egypt! Yet how happy you were to have God Himself always with you and to see the idols of Egypt fall to the ground at His presence!
By this sorrow and joy, obtain for us the grace to drive far from us the infernal enemy, especially by fleeing dangerous occasions. May every idol and earthly attachment fall from our hearts, so that all our concern may be to serve Jesus and Mary. May we live and die for them alone. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

6) The Return from Egypt and Life in Nazareth (Mt 2:19-23)
O angel of the earth, glorious Saint Joseph, to whose commands the King of Heaven submitted, although the consolation of returning from Egypt with the Child was mixed with fear because of Archelaus, the angel reassured you. You then returned and lived in Nazareth with Jesus and Mary, in joy and peace.
By this sorrow and joy, ask for us that every harmful fear may vanish from our hearts, so that we may enjoy peace of conscience, live safely with Jesus and Mary, and also die in their hands. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

7) Jesus Found in the Temple (Lk 2:41-52)
O model of all holiness, glorious Saint Joseph, when you lost the Child Jesus through no fault of your own, you searched for Him for three days in deep sorrow, until you found Him in the Temple among the teachers of the Law and were filled with great joy.
We implore you with all our hearts, by this sorrow and joy, to keep us from losing Jesus through grave sin. But if, through misfortune, we should lose Him one day, help us to seek Him with sorrow and perseverance until we find Him, especially at the hour of our death. Then may we pass to behold Him in Heaven, where with you we will sing the mercies of God forever and ever. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

– Pray for us, Saint Joseph.
– That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: O God, who in Your ineffable providence deigned to choose blessed Joseph as the spouse of Your most holy Mother, grant that we, who honor him here on earth as our protector, may be worthy to have him as our intercessor in Heaven. You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.