Anything under the Sun
Sorrows and joys of St. Joseph
March is the month of St. Joseph – the Guardian and Protector of the Child Jesus and Blessed Virgin Mary while here on earth.
Little had been said about the life of St. Joseph especially about his sorrows and accompanying joys. Here they are:
1. The First Sorrow was when he decided to leave the Virgin Mary after knowing that she was pregnant. His accompanying joy was when an angel in his dream explained the mystery of the Incarnation – conception of a child in Mary's womb thru the power of the Holy Spirit.
2. The Second Sorrow was when he witnessed the birth of Jesus in poverty – in a manger inside a stable with animals. His accompanying joy was when he learned that the angels sang to the shepherds in the field “Gloria in excelsis Deo (Glory to God in the highest)” announcing the birth of Christ.
3. The Third Sorrow was when he saw the blood of Jesus shed during His circumcision. The accompanying joy was when he himself gave the name Jesus to the Holy Child.
4. The Fourth Sorrow was when he heard the prophecy of Simon during the presentation of Jesus at the Temple of Jerusalem. The prophecy started with the future suffering of the Child and the Mother. The accompanying joy was when Simon ended saying “Now that I see salvation, I can now die.” Joseph understood that Jesus is Salvation not only for Simon but for the entire mankind.
5. The Fifth Sorrow was during his flight to Egypt with Jesus and Mary from the sword of Herod. The accompanying joy was when they reached Egypt, the pagan gods stumbled down from their pedestals.
6. The Sixth Sorrow was when he was afraid to return home to Nazareth for fear of persecution by Archelus. The accompanying joy was when in a dream, an angel told him that nothing untoward would happen to them there.
7. The Seventh Sorrow was when the Child Jesus at 12 years old, was lost in Jerusalem. The accompanying joy was when after three days looking for Him, he and Mary found him among the doctors discussing about the Scriptures at the Temple of Jerusalem.
These sorrows and joys of St. Joseph are good topics for meditations as it would strengthen our faith in the limitless goodness and mercy of God.
This meditation originated according to this story: Two Franciscan friars once were shipwrecked by a storm and they evoked St. Joseph for help. After the storm subsided, they saw a man who guided them to the shore.
When asked who he was, the man answered: “I am Joseph. If you wish to do something pleasing to me recite daily twelve Our Fathers and twelve Hail Marys in honor of my Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys which I experienced during the days on earth in company with Jesus and Mary.