SAN JOSÉ ( Seven Pains and Joys)
The seven Sundays of sorrows and joys of Saint Joseph are a custom of the Church to prepare for the feast of March 19. The meditation on the “pains and joys of Saint Joseph” helps to know the holy Patriarch better and to remember that he too faced joys and difficulties.
While his mother Mary was married to Joseph, before living together she was found to have conceived in his bosom by the Holy Spirit (Mt 1:18).
First joy:
And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, and said unto him, Joseph the son of David, fear not to receive Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived therein is of the Holy Ghost. She will bear a son and you will name him Jesus (Mt 1:20-21).
Our Father, Hail and Glory.
Second pain:
When the child Jesus was born in poverty.
Second joy:
Listening to the harmony of the choir of angels and observing the glory of that night.
O blessed patriarch, glorious Saint Joseph, chosen to be the adoptive father of the Son of God made man: the pain you felt watching the child Jesus being born in such great poverty was suddenly changed into heavenly joy upon hearing the harmonious concert of angels and contemplating the wonders of that shining night.
For this great pain, help us to get rid of all things on earth, convinced that only God is enough. Make us know how to follow Jesus from Bethlehem to Calvary, with the supernatural sense and human skill with which you knew how to carry, with Jesus and Mary, the cross that the Lord has set for you.
We also ask you, for the immense joy you had when you saw Jesus being born, while listening to the chant of the Angels in heaven, proclaiming the glory of God and peace for men of good will: Bless all the children of the Church of God and attend especially to those most in need!
Our Father, Hail and Glory.
Third pain:
When the Savior child's blood was shed in his circumcision.
given with the name of Jesus.
Third joy:
O most obedient executor of the divine laws, glorious St. Joseph: the most precious blood shed by the Redeemer Child in his circumcision pierced your heart; but the name of Jesus which was then imposed upon him comforted you and filled you with joy.
By this pain and joy we can live far from all sin, in order to expire joyfully, with the most holy name of Jesus in our hearts and lips.
Our Father, Hail and Glory.
Fourth pain:
Simeon's prophecy, predicting the sufferings of Jesus and Mary
Fourth joy:
The prediction of the salvation and glorious resurrection of countless souls.
O most faithful Saint, who took part in the mysteries of our redemption, glorious Saint Joseph; although the prophecy of Simeon about the sufferings that Jesus and Mary were to go through caused you mortal pain, yet it also filled you with joy, announcing at the same time the glorious salvation and resurrection that would follow from it for a great number of souls.
By this pain and joy you have succeeded in making us one of the number of those who, by the merits of Jesus and the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary, are to be gloriously resurrected.
Our Father, Hail and Glory
Fifth pain:
In his desire to educate and serve the Son of the Most High, especially on the journey to Egypt.
Fifth joy:
By always having with him God himself, and seeing the fall of the idols of Egypt.
O watchful custodian, intimate relative of the Son of God made man, glorious St. Joseph, how much you suffered having to feed and serve the Son of the Most High, particularly in your flight to Egypt, but how great was also your joy always having with you the same God and seeing the idols of Egypt torn down.
Through this pain and joy, let us manage to take the hellish tyrant away from us forever, above all by fleeing dangerous occasions, and to overthrow from our hearts every idol of earthly affection, so that, busy in serving Jesus and Mary, we may live only for them and die joyfully in their love.
Our Father, Hail and Glory.
Sixth pain:
To return to his Nazareth for fear of Archelaus.
Sixth joy:
When he returned with Jesus from Egypt to Nazareth and the trust established by the Angel.
O angel of the earth, glorious Saint Joseph, whom ye were able to admire the King of heaven, subject to your least commands; though the joy in bringing him from Egypt was troubled by fear of Archelaus, yet, later reassured by the angel, ye lived blissfully in Nazareth with Jesus and Mary.
Through this pain and joy, we have the grace to banish from our hearts all harmful fear, to possess peace of conscience, to live safely with Jesus and Mary and to die assisted by them.
Our Father, Hail and Glory.
Seventh pain:
When he blamelessly loses Jesus, he searches for him in anguish for three days.
Seventh joy:
Finding him in the middle of the doctors in the Temple.
O model of all holiness, glorious Saint Joseph, who, having lost without your guilt the Child Jesus, you sought him for three days with deep sorrow, until, full of joy, you found him in the temple, among the doctors.
For this pain and joy, we beseech you with words from the heart, intercede in our favor so that it never happens to us to lose Jesus for some grave sin. But if we should unfortunately lose Him, cause us to seek Him with such sorrow that we will not find rest until we find Him benign above all in our death, so that we may go to rejoice Him in heaven and sing His divine mercies with You forever.
Our Father, Hail and Glory.
