In the 16th Century there arose a devotion called “The Seven Our
Fathers of Saint Joseph”, which would later be known as “The Seven
Sorrows and Joys”. The devotion as it appears today is credited to
Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli (1702-1744). Below is related the brief story
of how this devotion came to be requested by St. Joseph himself:
There were once two priests of the Franciscan
order who were sailing along the coast of Flanders. A terrible tempest
arose, sinking the ship along with 300 passengers. The two Fathers
grabbed hold of a nearby plank, embracing it for dear life, as they were
tossed about in the violent waves. All the while the two men had
recourse to St. Joseph, praying and begging for his assistance, to save
them in the name of God from their most helpless and dire situation.
On the third day someone came to their aide, appearing as a most
radiant man, encouraging them to have faith and to continue to confide
in St. Joseph. The mysterious man safely conducted them into a harbour
much to the happiness and relief of the two priests. Upon arriving
safely, they thanked him repeatedly and asked for the name of the man
who had just saved their lives. The man revealed to them that he was
none other than St. Joseph — the one to whom they had prayed all this
time.
The two priests wanting to extend some form of honour or
respect to the Saint for all that he had done for them, asked what they
could do to show their gratefulness. St. Joseph told them to honour him
thusly: to recite daily the “Our Father” and “Hail Mary” seven times
while meditating on his seven sorrows and seven joys. After advising
them, he disappeared as mysteriously as he had come.
THE SEVEN SORROWS & JOYS OF ST. JOSEPH
A just man shall fall seven times and shall rise again.
– Proverbs 24:16
– Proverbs 24:16
I – The Despair of St. Joseph (St. Matthew 1:19)
The Annunciation to St. Joseph (St. Matthew 1:20-24)
The Annunciation to St. Joseph (St. Matthew 1:20-24)
OUR FATHER + HAIL MARY
II – The Poverty of Jesus’ Birth (St. Luke 2:7)
The Birth of the Savior of Mankind (St. Luke 2:10-19)
The Birth of the Savior of Mankind (St. Luke 2:10-19)
OUR FATHER + HAIL MARY
III – The Circumcision of Jesus (St. Luke 2:21)
The Holy Name of Jesus (St. Matthew 1:25)
The Holy Name of Jesus (St. Matthew 1:25)
OUR FATHER + HAIL MARY
IV – Simeon’s Prophecy (St. Luke 2:34, 35)
The Salvation of Mankind (St. Luke 2:29-33)
The Salvation of Mankind (St. Luke 2:29-33)
OUR FATHER + HAIL MARY
V – The Flight into Egypt (St. Matthew 2:13-14)
The Toppling of the Idols (Isaiah 19:1)
The Toppling of the Idols (Isaiah 19:1)
OUR FATHER + HAIL MARY
VI – The Perilous Return from Exile (St. Matthew 2:19-22)
Family Life at Nazareth (St. Luke 2:51-52)
Family Life at Nazareth (St. Luke 2:51-52)
OUR FATHER + HAIL MARY
VII – The Loss of Jesus in Jerusalem (St. Luke 2:42-45)
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (St. Luke 2:46-49)
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (St. Luke 2:46-49)
OUR FATHER + HAIL MARY
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