To Reflect on the 7 Sorrows & Joys of St. Joseph while praying the Crown Rosary

Father Francis Sariego, OFM Cap. has generously shared how he incorporates the Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St. Joseph while praying the Crown Rosary. In this year of St. Joseph, we are invited to use Father’s own way of keeping St. Joseph involved and remembered.

St. Joseph – Sorrows and Joys 

(within the celebration of the Franciscan Crown) 

Father Francis Sariego, OFM Cap

In the year of St. Joseph, we Franciscans are offered an opportunity to celebrate the sorrows and joys of St Joseph as we recall, with our Franciscan Crown, the 7 Joys of our Heavenly Mother.

First Joy of BVM – Annunciation/Incarnation 

1^st   Sorrow of St. Joseph: Confusion concerning Mary’s Pregnancy 

1^st  Joy of St. Joseph: Angelic assurance of pregnancy by work of the Holy Spirit 

Second Joy of BVM – Visit to Elizabeth 

2^nd Sorrow of St. Joseph: Distance from Mary for three months. 

2^nd Joy of St. Joseph: News of work of Holy Spirit in life of Elizabeth and Zachary

(Not a traditional joy or sorrow of St. Joseph)

Third Joy of BVM – Birth of Savior at Bethlehem 

3^rd  Sorrow of St. Joseph:          

• Poverty of an Animal Refuge for Mary to give birth to Jesus
• Pain imposed on Child – first bloodshed at circumcision 8 days after birth 
• Simeon’s prophecy of future sufferings of Jesus and Mary 

3^rd Joy of St. Joseph:

• Angel announcement to Shepherds and their adoration of the Child 
• Father’s right imposing name Jesus (“God is salvation”) 
• Jesus would be light of revelation to gentiles and glory of Israel 

Fourth Joy of BVM – Adoration of the Magi 

4^th Sorrow of St. Joseph:

• Flight into Egypt (massacre of the Innocents) 
• Confusion of place to dwell on return to Israel

4^th Joy of St. Joseph:

• Safety for Family and power of God manifest in Egypt 
• Nazareth home

Fifth Joy of BVM – Finding Jesus in Jerusalem Temple 

5^th Sorrow of St. Joseph: Loss of Jesus for three days 

5^th Joy of St. Joseph: Finding Jesus and His obedient return to Nazareth 

Sixth Joy of BVM – Resurrection / Ascension of Jesus 

6^th  Sorrow of St. Joseph: Leaving Jesus and Mary on earth in death 

6^th Joy of St. Joseph:

• Dying in the embrace of Jesus and Mary
• Accompanied to heaven by His Messianic Son, Jesus, sharing in the Resurrection and Glory of Jesus even before His Beloved spouse. 

Seventh Joy of BVM – Assumption and Crowning of Mary 

7^th Joy of St. Joseph:  Reunited to his spouse and sharing in the glory of God with His angels and saints as intercessor after Jesus the Only Mediator and Mary, His spouse, the “almighty by intercession” for all God’s creation.