# The joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Devotion of the seven joys of Mary in heaven
*2015-05-15*

> Bill Young explores the spiritual significance of the Seven Joys of Mary, contrasting her earthly sorrows with the eternal happiness she experiences in paradise.

## The balance of joy and sorrow

Mary was not only Our Lady of Sorrows. She was first introduced to us as the 'favored one' in the words of the Angel Gabriel, and the 'Blessed One' in the greeting of St. Elizabeth. She herself sang of her heavenly joys in the Magnificat. Mary's experience of human life was similar to that of Jesus; while He was filled with joy in the depths of His soul, His prophetic visions also bore much sorrow and pain, not only for His body but also for His soul. Likewise, the life of Mary was an incomprehensible and closely woven fabric of joys and pains.

## The origin of the devotion

The joys of Mary have attracted the attention of the faithful since the early days of Christianity. Initially, these joys were remembered on various feast days of the Virgin, but later, these joyous events began to be associated with one another in the hearts of the faithful, becoming a special devotion. The Virgin showed her pleasure for such devotions when appearing to St. Thomas of Canterbury, rejoicing in the celebration of her earthly joys and inviting the faithful to honor her heavenly joys as well. St. Bernardine, a Franciscan, was one of the great apostles of this devotion, professing that all the graces he received were granted to him through this particular practice.

## The seven joys in heaven

The devotion begins with the Apostles' Creed and moves through seven specific reflections on Mary's current state in paradise. We rejoice with the Spouse of the Holy Spirit, who is exalted among the choirs of angels for her purity. We honor her as the light of paradise, whose splendor makes the heavens resplendent. We acknowledge her as the daughter of God, honored by all hosts of angels and archangels as the mother of their Creator.

Furthermore, we reflect on Mary as the Handmaid of the Most Holy Trinity, noting that St. Bernard taught that no grace is granted on earth that does not first pass through her most holy hands. We honor her as our most serene princess, sitting at the right hand of her Son, who sits at the right hand of the Eternal Father. As the hope of sinners and refuge of the afflicted, she brings the reward of eternal glory to those who venerate her. Finally, we rejoice that the happiness she enjoys in paradise will never diminish, but will increase until the day of judgment and remain for all eternity.

## A prayer for intercession

In closing, we turn to Mary as the shining mirror of sanctity and the true image of God's glory. Because her mercy is such that she cannot deny graces to those who implore her intercession with devotion, we pray through these seven joys. We ask her to obtain from her only begotten Son the remission of our sins and to protect our souls, especially in the hour of death, so that we may be free from the snares of the devil.

*By meditating on the eternal joys of Mary in heaven, the faithful can find hope and a powerful means of intercession for their own salvation.*