The Seven Sorrows of St. Joseph are:
1. The prophecy of Simeon. When Jesus was presented in the Temple, Simeon prophesied that a sword would pierce Mary’s heart. As the earthly father of Jesus, St. Joseph must have felt the weight of this prophecy and the challenges that his family would face.
2. The flight into Egypt. When King Herod sought to kill the infant Jesus, St. Joseph and his family fled to Egypt. This experience must have been a difficult one for St. Joseph, as he had to provide for and protect his family in a foreign land.
3. The loss of Jesus in the Temple. When Jesus was twelve years old, he went missing after a trip to Jerusalem. St. Joseph and Mary spent three days looking for him. This experience must have been a source of anxiety and sorrow for St. Joseph, as he was responsible for the safety of his family.
4. The poverty of Jesus’ childhood. St. Joseph and his family lived in poverty, relying on the kindness of others for their basic needs. This experience must have been a humbling one for St. Joseph, as he worked hard to provide for his family in difficult circumstances.
5. The labor of St. Joseph. St. Joseph was a carpenter by trade, and he worked hard to provide for his family. This experience must have been a source of both pride and exhaustion for St. Joseph, as he balanced his work with his duties as a father and husband.
6. The passion and death of Jesus. St. Joseph witnessed the suffering and death of his adopted son on the Cross. This experience must have been a source of profound sorrow and grief for St. Joseph, as he watched his beloved son suffer for the sins of the world.
7. The burial of Jesus. St. Joseph helped to bury Jesus after his death. This experience must have been a somber one for St. Joseph, as he said goodbye to his son and laid him to rest.
Despite these sorrows, St. Joseph also experienced many joys in his life. The Seven Joys of St. Joseph are:
1. The joy of betrothal to Mary. St. Joseph experienced great joy when he was betrothed to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
2. The joy of the Nativity. St. Joseph experienced the joy of welcoming the newborn Jesus into the world.
3. The joy of the naming of Jesus. St. Joseph was present when Jesus was named, and he experienced the joy of giving his son a name.
4. The joy of the Presentation. St. Joseph witnessed the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, where Simeon recognized Jesus as the Messiah. This experience must have been a source of great joy for St. Joseph.
5. The joy of the finding of Jesus in the Temple. St. Joseph must have experienced great relief and joy when Jesus was found in the Temple after three days.
6. The joy of the Resurrection. St. Joseph witnessed the Resurrection of Jesus and experienced the joy of seeing his son rise from the dead.
7. The joy of the Assumption. St. Joseph was assumed into heaven at the end of his life, where he was reunited with Jesus and Mary.
The Seven Sorrows and Joys of St. Joseph remind us of the challenges and blessings of life as a follower of Christ. St. Joseph’s example of humility, hard work, and fidelity to God can inspire us to live our own lives with trust and devotion. May we imitate St. Joseph’s example of faith, and may he intercede for us before God.