The Seven Sundays of St. Joseph is a traditional devotion of seven consecutive Sundays before the feast of St. Joseph on March 19, meditating each Sunday on his seven sorrows and seven joys. Each sorrow and joy recalls a moment in the Gospel when Joseph, the husband of Mary and guardian of Jesus, suffered and then rejoiced. Below are the dates for 2027, how to pray the devotion, and the full prayers of the Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys from the Raccolta.
The Seven Sundays in 2027
St. Joseph’s feast, March 19, falls on a Friday in 2027. The seven Sundays before it are:
| Sunday | Date |
|---|---|
| First | January 31, 2027 |
| Second | February 7, 2027 |
| Third | February 14, 2027 |
| Fourth | February 21, 2027 |
| Fifth | February 28, 2027 |
| Sixth | March 7, 2027 |
| Seventh | March 14, 2027 |
The devotion may also be made on any seven consecutive Sundays of the year.
How to pray the Seven Sundays
On each of the seven Sundays:
- Pray all seven sorrows and joys below, each followed by an Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory Be. (Some people pray one sorrow and joy each Sunday instead.)
- End with the antiphon, versicle and prayer at the bottom of this page.
- Receive the sacraments if you can, and offer the Sunday for an intention entrusted to St. Joseph.
The Raccolta records that the popes of the nineteenth century enriched this devotion with indulgences, adding that those who could not read might pray seven Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glory Bes instead.
The Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St. Joseph
1. The doubt and the angel’s message
Pure spouse of most holy Mary, glorious St. Joseph, the trouble and anguish of thy heart were great when, being in sore perplexity, thou wast minded to put away thy stainless spouse; yet was thy joy inexpressible when the Archangel revealed to thee the sublime mystery of the Incarnation.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee comfort our souls now and in their last pains with the consolation of a well-spent life, and a holy death like unto thy own, with Jesus and Mary at our side.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
2. The poverty of Bethlehem and the song of the angels
Most blessed Patriarch, glorious St. Joseph, chosen to the office of Father of the Word made Man, the pain was keen that thou didst feel when thou didst see the Infant Jesus born in abject poverty; but thy pain was changed into heavenly joy when thou didst hear the harmony of angelchoirs, and behold the glory of that night.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee obtain for us that, when the journey of our life is ended, we too may pass to that blessed land where we shall hear the angel-chants, and rejoice in the bright light of heavenly glory.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
3. The Circumcision and the Holy Name
O thou who wast ever most obedient in executing the law of God, glorious St. Joseph, thy heart was pierced with pain when the precious Blood of the Infant Saviour was shed at his Circumcision; but with the Name of Jesus new life and heavenly joy returned to thee.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us that, being freed, while we still live, from every vice, we too may cheerfully die with the sweet Name of Jesus in our hearts and on our lips.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
4. Simeon’s prophecy
Most faithful Saint, glorious St. Joseph, who wast admitted to take part in the redemption of man; the prophecy of Simeon foretelling the sufferings of Jesus and Mary caused thee a pang like that of death, but, at the same time, by his prediction of the salvation and glorious resurrection of innumerable souls, filled thee with great joy.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, help us with thy prayers to be of the number of those who, by the merits of Jesus and the intercession of his Virgin Mother, shall be partakers of the resurrection to glory.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
5. The flight into Egypt
Most watchful Guardian, glorious St. Joseph, who wast so intimately familiar with the Incarnate Son of God, greatly thou didst toil to nurture and to serve the Son of the Most High, especially in the flight thou madest with Him into Egypt; greatly also didst thou rejoice to have God Himself always with thee, and to see the overthrow of the idols of Egypt.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us grace to keep far out of the reach of the enemy of our souls, by quitting all dangerous occasions, that so no idol of earthly affection may any longer occupy a place in our hearts, but that, being entirely devoted to the service of Jesus and Mary, we may live and die for them alone.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
6. The return to Nazareth
Angel on earth, glorious St. Joseph, who didst so wonder to see the King of Heaven obedient to thy bidding, the consolation thou hadst at his return from Egypt was disturbed by the fear of Archelaus, but nevertheless, being reassured by the angel, thou didst go back and dwell happily at Nazareth, in the company of Jesus and Mary.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, obtain for us that, having our hearts freed from idle fears, we may enjoy the peace of a tranquil conscience, dwelling safely with Jesus and Mary, and dying at last in their arms. PATER, Ave, Gloria. SI | Oo Mier 244
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
7. The loss and finding of Jesus in the Temple
Example of holy living, glorious St. Joseph, when through no fault of thine thou didst lose Jesus, the Holy Child, thou didst search for Him with great sorrow for three days, until with joy unspeakable thou didst find Him, who was thy Life, amidst the doctors in the Temple.
By this thy sorrow and thy joy, we pray thee with our whole hearts so to interpose always in our behalf, that we may never lose Jesus by mortal sin, and if we are at any time so wretched as to lose Him, then we pray thee to aid us to seek Him with unwearied sorrow until we find Him, particularly in the hour of our death, that we may pass from this life to enjoy Him for ever in heaven, there to sing with thee his divine mercies without end.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
The closing prayers
Ant. Jesus himself was about thirty years old, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph (Luke 3:23).
V. Pray for us, holy Joseph.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
O God, who in thine ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of thy most holy Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may have him for our intercessor in heaven, whom on earth we venerate as our holy Protector. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
The origin of the devotion
A pious tradition tells of two Franciscan friars shipwrecked off the coast of Flanders in the sixteenth century, who clung to a plank for three days praying to St. Joseph; a radiant young man appeared, brought them safely to shore, revealed himself as St. Joseph, and asked them to pray daily seven Our Fathers and Hail Marys in memory of his sorrows and joys. Whatever its origin, the devotion spread widely and was blessed by Popes Pius VII, Gregory XVI and Blessed Pius IX.
Frequently asked questions
When do the Seven Sundays of St. Joseph start in 2027?
On Sunday, January 31, 2027, ending on March 14, the last Sunday before his feast on Friday, March 19.
Do I have to pray all seven sorrows and joys every Sunday?
The traditional form prays all seven each Sunday; many people today pray one each Sunday. Both are good.
What other prayers to St. Joseph are there?
See the St. Joseph prayer, the Litany of St. Joseph and the St. Joseph novena, traditionally prayed March 10–18.
More prayers to St. Joseph
- St. Joseph prayer
- St. Joseph novena
- Litany of St. Joseph
- St. Joseph’s Day (March 19)
- St. Joseph prayer to sell a house
- Seven Sorrows Rosary of Mary
Texts and sources
- Prayers: The Raccolta (Burns and Oates, 1910), no. 300, Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St. Joseph, public domain (archive.org). Scan corrections (missing initial capitals and page marks) are listed in our text log.
- The antiphon (from Luke 3:23), versicle and closing prayer follow the same section of the Raccolta.
- The dates were calculated for this page.