Seven Sorrows of Mary

(Traditionally either the Friday of passion week, which is the Friday before Good Friday, or more generally on September 15, the official date for the feast. But it is fitting during the year, especially during Lent, to honor the Sorrows of Mary.)

This devotion was originated in the thirteenth century It recalls the Seven Sorrows (Dolors) the Virgin Mary endured through her whole life, especially for her long martyrdom that began with the prophecy of Simeon and was consummated on Calvary. The Mass for the Feast of the Seven Dolors includes the traditional hymn, the Stabat Mater, which is traditionally included by verses in the 14 Stations of the Cross. St. Bonaventure is considered the author of the Hymn.

While reciting the prayers meditate upon her Seven Sorrows.

Before each Sorrow, recite the Our Father and Seven Hail Mary's

The Presentation in the Temple: Sorrow as sharp as a sword shall pierce Mary's heart because of her Child. Mary is in the Temple, having come with Joseph to present the Child to God. They meet Simeon, the holy man, and Anna, the prophetess. Simeon takes the Baby in his arms, saying he will now die in peace because he has seen Christ, then he foretells the sorrow to come.
V. O God, come to my assistance;
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, in the affliction of your tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon. Dear Mother, by your heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the holy fear of God.
The Flight into Egypt: Soon the sword of sorrow strikes. Herod the King seeks to kill the Child. Warned in sleep by an angel, Joseph takes Jesus and His Mother Mary, setting out for Egypt, where they lived in obscurity and poverty until it was safe to return to Nazareth.
V. O God, come to my assistance;
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the anguish of your most affectionate heart during the flight into Egypt and your sojourn there. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of generosity, especially toward the poor, and the gift of piety.
The Loss of the Child Jesus for Three Days: When Jesus is twelve, He is taken to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. On the return journey Joseph and Mary find at the end of the first day that Jesus is not with them. Racked with anxiety, they search for Him. Nobody in the streets, not even the beggars, can tell them where He is. Not till the third day do they find Him, in the Temple.
V. O God, come to my assistance;
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in those anxieties which tried your troubled heart at the lost of your dear Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart so full of anguish, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge.
Meeting Christ on the Road to Calvary: Mary has known fear and sorrow, but none so great as seeing her beloved Son stumbling under the weight of the Cross. She hears the jeering shouts from the crowd and has no power to help Him. Pity and love are in her eyes as she gazes at His blood-stained face. To many around her He is no better than a criminal, and her heart is breaking as she follows Him to Calvary or Golgotha.
V. O God, come to my assistance;
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the consternation of your heart at meeting Jesus as He carried His cross. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude.
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus Christ: With John, Mary stands at the foot of the Cross. "A sword shall pierce thy soul," Simeon told her. Truly her heart is pierced with sorrow. Her beloved Son is dying and she shares in His suffering. She does not ask God to take away this agony. She is His Mother, so close to Him that His pain is hers, too. And now He speaks from the Cross: "Woman, behold thy son." Jesus give His Mother to John, and to us. For all eternity she is our Mother.
V. O God, come to my assistance;
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the martyrdom which your generous heart endured in standing near Jesus in His agony. Dear Mother, by your afflicted heart, obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel.
Our Lord is Taken Down from the Cross (Pieta): It is over. Dark clouds have appeared in the sky and upon the world. Jesus is dead. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus take down the Body from the Cross. and Mary receives It in her arms. She is filled with a sadness that no human heart has known. This is her Son. Once she had cradled Him in her arms. listened to His voice, watched Him working at the carpenter's bench. Now He is dead. She does not weep, her grief is too great for tears.
V. O God, come to my assistance;
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the wounding of your compassionate heart, when the side of Jesus was struck by the lance before His Body was removed from the cross. Dear Mother, by your heart thus transfixed, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is Buried in the Tomb: Hastily the Body is wrapped in a clean linen cloth. Nicodemus has brought myrrh and aloes, and the Body is bound in the Shroud with them. nearby is a new tomb, belonging to Joseph of Arimathea, and there they lay Jesus. Mary and John and the holy women follow them and watch as the great stone to the sepulchre is rolled. it is the end.
V. O God, come to my assistance;
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, for the pangs that wrenched your most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart sunk in the bitterness of desolation, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom.

End the Chaplet with Three Hail Mary's in honor of the Sorrowful tears of Our Lady

V. Pray for us, O most Sorrowful Virgin

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, we now implore, both for the present and for the hour of our death, the intercession of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, your Mother, whose holy soul was pierced at the time of your Passion by a sword of grief. Grant us this favor, O Savior of the world, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen."

Prayer Of St. Bonaventure To The Mother Of Sorrows

O sorrowful Virgin, unite me at least to the humiliations and wounds of thy Son, so that both He and You may find comfort in having someone sharing Your sufferings. Oh, how happy I would be if I could do this! For is there perhaps anything greater, sweeter, or more advantageous for a person? Why do You not grant me what I ask? If I have offended You, be just and pierce my heart. If I have been faithful to You, leave me not without a reward: give me Your sorrows.

Prayer Of St. Alphonsus De Liguori

O afflicted Virgin, O soul great in virtues, as in sorrows, both the one and the other spring from that great fire burning in Your heart for God, the only love of Your heart! Mother, have pity on me, who has not loved God, and who has so greatly offended Him. You sorrows, it is true, assure me of pardon, but that is not sufficient. I wish to love God. Who could obtain for me that grace if not You, who are the Mother of holy love! O Mary, You console everyone; favor me also, with Your consolations. Amen.

Stabat mater dolorosa Hymn (By St. Bonaventure)

At the Cross her station keeping,

Stood the mournful Mother weeping,

Close to Jesus at the last.

Though her soul,

of joy bereaved,

Bowed with anguish,

deeply grieved,

Now at length the sword hath passed.

Oh how sad and sore distressed

Was that Mother,

highly blest,

Of the sole begotten One!

Oh that silent,

ceaseless mourning,

Oh those dim eyes,

never turning From that wondrous,

suffering Son!

Who on Christ's dear Mother gazing,

In her trouble so amazing,

Born of woman would not weep?

Who on Christ's dear Mother thinking,

Such a cup of sorrow drinking,

Would not share her sorrow deep?

For the sins of His own nation,

Saw Him hang in desolation

Till His Spirit forth He sent;

Bruised,

derided,

cursed,

defiled,

She beheld her tender Child,

All with bloody scourges rent.

thou Mother,

fount of love!

Touch my spirit from above,

Make my heart with thine accord.

Make me feel as thou hast felt;

Make my soul to glow and melt

With the love of Christ my Lord.

Holy Mother,

pierce me through.

In my heart each wound renew

Of my Savior crucified;

Let me share with thee His pain,

Who for all my sins was slain,

Who for me in torment died.

Let me mingle tears with thee,

Mourning Him who mourned for me,

All the days that I may live.

By the cross with thee to stay,

There with thee to weep and pray,

Is all I ask of thee to give.

Virgin of all virgins blest,

Listen to my fond request;

Let me share thy grief divine.

Let me to my latest breath,

In my body bear the death

Of that dying Son of thine.

Wounded with His every wound,

Steep my soul till it hath swooned In His very blood away.

Be to me,

O Virgin,

nigh,

Lest in flames I burn and die In His awful judgment day.

Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,

Be Thy Mother my defense,

Be Thy Cross my victory.

While my body here decays

May my soul Thy goodness praise

Safe in Paradise with Thee.

Search

Seven Sorrows of Mary