The devotion of the Seven Sundays of Saint Joseph is an ancient tradition in the Catholic Church. It consists of meditating, over seven consecutive Sundays leading up to the feast of Saint Joseph (March 19), on his seven sorrows and seven joys, intertwined with events from the lives of Jesus and Mary.

This practice originated from a miracle recorded in Church history: two Franciscan friars shipwrecked on the coast of Flanders were saved by an apparition of Saint Joseph. He advised them to pray seven Our Fathers and Hail Marys in honor of his seven sorrows and seven joys, guiding them safely to port.

On the first Sunday, we meditate on the pain Saint Joseph experienced upon discovering Mary’s pregnancy before they lived together. This caused him great anguish and led him to consider separating from her quietly so as not to expose her to public disgrace (Mt 1:18-19).

However, his joy was immense when an angel appeared to him in a dream, revealing that the child had been conceived by the Holy Spirit and that he should name Him Jesus, thus confirming his vocation as the legal father (Mt 1:20-21).

This tradition invites the faithful to trust in divine providence amid doubts, just as Saint Joseph did. He acted with humility, feeling unworthy of such a mystery.

Prayer

O most chaste Spouse of the Most Holy Mary, glorious Saint Joseph! Great was the travail and anguish of your heart when, perplexed, you thought of withdrawing from your immaculate Treasure; but your joy was ineffable when the angel revealed to you the supreme mystery of the Incarnation.

Through this sorrow and this joy, we ask you to console our souls now and at the hour of our death with the joy of a good life and a holy death, like your own, assisted by Jesus and Mary.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory.

• First Sunday: The sorrow of St. Joseph’s doubts and the joy of the Angel’s message
• Second Sunday: The sorrow of poverty at Jesus’ birth and the joy of the Savior’s birth
• Third Sunday: The sorrow of the circumcision and the joy of Jesus’ name
• Fourth Sunday: The sorrow of Simeon’s prophecy and the joy of the effects of redemption
• Fifth Sunday: The sorrow of the flight to Egypt and the joy of the overthrow of the idols
• Sixth Sunday: The sorrow of the return from Egypt and the joy of life in Nazareth
• Seventh Sunday: The sorrow of Jesus’ loss in the temple and the joy of his finding