St. John Chrysostom (?407) described the life of St. Joseph in terms of the "sorrows and joys" that characterized his earthly existence.
In 1536 John da Fano, an Italian Capuchin, published a devotion called "the seven Our Fathers of Saint Joseph," in an appendix to a spiritual work of his. Da Fano presented Saint Joseph himself speaking to two ship-wrecked monks he had saved off the coast of Flanders, advising them to recite daily seven Our Fathers and Hail Marys in honor of his sorrows. The devotion seems to be modeled after the corresponding devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows that was enjoying much popularity at the time. Before long the seven joys were added to the seven sorrows.
The "Seven Sorrows and Joys of Saint Joseph" is a widespread devotion, whose original formula is attributed to Venerable Gennaro Sarnelli (?1744). On December 9, 1819 the devotion was indulgenced by Pius VII. On January 22, 1836 Gregory XVI granted further indulgences to the "Seven Sundays in Honor of the Seven Sorrows and Joys of Saint Joseph." Under Pius IX in 1846 these indulgences were granted also to a shorter version for the sick, and in 1847 were extended for the Seven Sundays. Under Pius XI, indulgences for the Seven Sorrows were granted again in 1932 and for the Seven Sundays in 1936.
Chaste Lover of Mary, how overwhelmed you were when you thought that you would have to end your betrothal to her. But when the angel of God came to you in a dream, you were filled with awe to realize that Mary would be your wife, and you would be the guardian of the Messiah.
Help us St. Joseph, help our families and all our loved ones to overcome all sadness of heart and develop an absolute trust in God’s goodness.
