The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady is a deeply meditative Catholic devotion that reflects on the profound sufferings endured by the Virgin Mary throughout her life, especially during the Passion of Christ. Originating in the 14th century and later revived through Marian apparitions in Kibeho, Rwanda, this rosary invites the faithful to unite with Mary's sorrowful heart in prayer and contemplation.
Structure of the Rosary
It consists of seven sets of prayers, each focused on one of Mary's sorrows:
- The Prophecy of Simeon
- The Flight into Egypt
- The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
- Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
- The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
- The Body of Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
- Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
Each sorrow is meditated upon with one Our Father and seven Hail Marys, fostering empathy, repentance, and spiritual closeness to both Mary and Jesus.
This devotion is often prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays, and especially on September 15th, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. It's cherished for its power to bring healing, clarity, and deeper understanding of suffering through love.
Introduction
Hail Mary, full of sorrows, the Crucified is with thee: tearful art thou amongst women, and tearful is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of the Crucified, grant tears to us crucifiers of thy Son, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Meditation On Each Sorrow
One Our Father, Seven Hail Marys for each Sorrow.
The first sorrow: The prophecy of Simeon.
The second sorrow: The Flight into Egypt.
The third sorrow: The Loss of Jesus in the Temple.
The fourth sorrow: Mary meets Jesus on the way to Calvary.
The fifth sorrow: Jesus dies on the Cross.
The sixth sorrow: The piercing of Jesus' side.
The seventh sorrow: Jesus is placed in the tomb.
Closing Prayer
Then say three Ave Maria’s in veneration of the tears which Mary shed in her sorrows, to obtain thereby true sorrow for sins and the holy Indulgences attached to this pious exercise
V. Pray for us, Virgin most sorrowful.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the most blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of Thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death, whose most holy soul was transfixed with the sword of sorrow in the hour of Thine own Passion. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost for ever and ever.
Amen.
Rosarium Septem Dolorum Dominae Nostrae
Introduction
Ave Maria doloribus plena, Crucifixus tecum: lacrymabilis te in mulieribus, et lacrymabilis fructus ventris tui, Jesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Crucifixi: lacrymas impertire nobis crucifixoribus Filii tui, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae.
Amen.
Meditation On Each Sorrow
One Our Father, Seven Hail Marys for each Sorrow.
Prima dolor: Prophetia Simeonis
Secundu dolor: Fuga in AEgyptum
Tertia dolor: Amissio Pueri Jesu in Templo
Quarta dolor: Occursus Jesu in Via Crucis
Quinta dolor: Crucifixio Jesu
Sextus dolor: Depositio Corporis Jesu e Cruce
Septimus dolor: Iesus in Sepulchrum
Closing Prayer
Then say three Ave Maria’s in veneration of the tears which Mary shed in her sorrows, to obtain thereby true sorrow for sins and the holy Indulgences attached to this pious exercise
V. Ora pro nobis, Virgo dolorosissima.
R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.
Oremus.
Interveniat pro nobis, quaesumus, Domine Jesu Christe, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae, apud tuam clementiam beata Virgo Maria Mater tua, cujus sacratissimam animam in hora tuae Passionis deloris gladius pertransivit. Per te, Jesu Christe, Salvator mundi, qui cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum.
Amen.
