19 MAR - SEVEN SORROWS AND JOYS OF ST JOSEPH

Fathers of the Franciscan order were sailing along the coast of Flanders, 

    when a terrible tempest arose, which sank the vessel, with its 300 hundred passengers. The two Fathers had sufficient presence of mind to seize hold of a plank, 

    upon which they were tossed to and fro upon the waves, for three days and nights. In their danger, their whole recourse was to St. Joseph, 

    begging his assistance in their sad condition. The Saint appeared in the habit of a young man of beautiful features, 

    encouraged them to confide in his assistance and as their pilot, conducted them into a safe harbor. Desirous to know their benefactor, 

    he told them he was St. Joseph, and advised them daily to recite the Our Father and Hail Mary seven times, in memory of his seven Dolours or griefs, 

    and of his seven Joys and then disappeared.

    1. ST. JOSEPH, by the SORROW with which Your heart was pierced at the thought of a cruel separation 

    from Mary and by the deep JOY that You felt when the Angel revealed to You the ineffable mystery of 

    the Incarnation.

    2. ST. JOSEPH, by the bitter SORROW which Your heart experienced in seeing the Child Jesus lying in a manger and by the JOY which You felt in seeing the 

    Wise men adore Him as their God.

    3. ST. JOSEPH, by the SORROW with which Your heart was pierced at the sight of the Blood which flowed 

    from the Infant Jesus in the Circumcision and by the JOY that inundated Your soul at Your privilege of 

    imposing the sacred and mysterious Name of Jesus.

    4. ST. JOSEPH, by the SORROW when the Lord declared that the soul of Mary would be pierced with a sword of sorrow and by Your JOY when Simeon added that the 

    Infant was to be the resurrection of many.

    5. ST. JOSEPH, by Your SORROW when told to fly into Egypt and by Your JOY in seeing the idols overthrown at the arrival of the living God.

    6. ST. JOSEPH, by the SORROW of Your heart caused by the fear of the tyrant Archelaus and by the JOY in sharing the company of Jesus and Mary at Nazareth.

    7. ST. JOSEPH, by the bitter SORROW with which the loss of the Child Jesus crushed Your heart and by the holy JOY which inundated Your soul in recovering 

    Your Treasure on entering the Temple.





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