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The title given to the Mother of Sorrows (Dolors or Sorrows of Mary) dates back to the 13th Century to the Servite Order. The Seven Sorrows are a series of meditations on Mary’s journey with Her Son Jesus till His burial.
The Seven Sorrows (Dolors or Sorrows of Mary) are Scriptural journey of the Mother of Jesus:
- Prophecy of Simeon.
- Escape to Egypt.
- Losing the Child Jesus.
- Meeting Jesus Carrying the Cross.
- At the foot of the Cross.
- Taking down Jesus from the Cross into the waiting arms of His Mother.
- Jesus is laid in the Sepulchre.
The Mother of God appeared to St Bridget of Sweden in the 14th Century and again to Marie Claire of Kibeho, Rwanda in the 20th Century, recommending the devotion and associated promises.
It is a great honour to accompany Mary on these sorrowful occasions as She journey with Her Son to the moment of Redemption. The Catholic Church recognises that there are Seven in number. There are several ways of fulfilling this devotion and gaining favours from the Mother of God to those who practice this devotion devoutly.
What is the history of the Sorrows of Mary?
History of the Seven Sorrows
The Seven Dolors or Seven Sorrows of Mary are taken from Scripture events and the devotion has a long history, although it was not officially promulgated by the Church until the early nineteenth century.
When was the Seven Sorrows of Mary as a devotion approved?
Before Pope Pius VII’s formal approval, the Servite Order.
The Servite Order was founded in 1233 AD in Florence Italy. These merchants commenced a life of poverty and penance. These men are known as the Seven Holy Founders; they were canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1888.
The order was established in honor of Mary, the Mother of God.
From the beginning, the members of the Order dedicated themselves to Mary under her title of Mother of Sorrows.
Dedicating their devotion to the mother of Jesus, they adopted Mary’s virtues of hospitality and compassion as the order’s hallmarks.
The distinctive spirit of the order is the sanctification of its members by meditation on the Passion of Jesus and the Sorrows of Mary and spreading this devotion.
The Bishop of Florence approved the Friar Servants of Mary as a religious Order sometime between the years 1240 and 1247.
The Servants decided to live by the Rule of St. Augustine and added to the Rule their own expression of Marian devotion and dedication. By 1250 there were several Servants who were ordained to the priesthood, thus creating an Order with priests as well as brothers.
When was the Feast of the Sorrows of Mary established?
Feast of the Sorrows of Mary is Adopted in 1668
An approval was given in 1668 to celebrate the Feast of the Seven Dolors because the Order was instrumental in popularizing the Seven Sorrows Devotion.
The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is honoured on 15 September, a day following the Feast of the Holy Cross, 14 September.
Very fitting since Our Mother of Sorrows was there at the foot of the Cross and witness to her Son’s suffering and death.
A Litany of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady
The Litany of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady was composed by Pope Pius VII (1740-1823) while held in captivity during the Napoleonic Wars.
What are the Seven Sorrows of Mary?
The Seven Sorrows of Mary are all founded on Scripture and there are Seven in number.
Sorrow Scripture Reference
Prophecy of Simeon St Luke 2:34-35
Flight into Egypt St Matthew 2:13-14
Loss of the Child Jesus St Luke 2:44-45
Meeting of Jesus Carrying the Cross St John 19:17–18; Isaiah 1:6
Witnessing the suffering and death of Jesus St John 19:25
Jesus is taken down from the Cross into the Living arms of Mary St Matthew 27:57-59
Jesus is laid in the Sepulcher St John 19:40-42
How to fulfill the Seven Sorrows devotion in honour of Our Lady of Sorrows?
Devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady
The Devotion is applied in either way as shown below.
Whether the single Hail Mary at the end of each Sorrow or the Seven Sorrows Rosary.
A) Single Hail Mary Devotion:
Commence by making the Sign of the Cross and reciting the prayer
“O God, come to my assistance…”
Followed by the “Glory be…..”
Announce the first Sorrow of Mary, meditate and the pray one Hail Mary.
Then repeat for each Sorrow of Mary.
Final prayer.
Pope Pius VII approved another series of prayers in honor of the Seven Sorrows for daily meditation in 1815:
“O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”
1. the prophecy of holy simeon
(St Luke 2:34–35)
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.
Hail Mary…
2. the flight into Egypt
(St Matthew 2:13–14)
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.
Hail Mary…
3. the losing of the child jesus
(St Luke 2:44–45)
I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in those anxieties which tried your troubled heart at the loss 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.
Hail Mary…
4. the meeting of jesus carrying the cross
(St John 19:17–18; Isaiah 1:6)
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.
Hail Mary…
5. the witnessing the suffering and death of her divine son. (St John 19:25–27)
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.
Hail Mary…
6. taking down of jesus from the cross into her loving arms. (St Matthew 27:57–59)
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.
Hail Mary…
7. jesus is laid in the sepulcher.
(St John 19:40–42.
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.
Hail Mary…
Let Us Pray:
Let intercession be made for us, we beseech You, O Lord Jesus Christ, now and at the hour of our death, before the throne of Your mercy, by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, whose most holy soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the hour of Your bitter Passion. Through You, O Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns world without end. Amen.
The Seven Sorrows Rosary is prayed on a special Seven Sorrows Rosary.
B) The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary
Begin with Sign of the Cross.
Introductory Prayer:
My God, I offer You this Rosary for Your glory, so I can honor your Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin, so I can share and meditate upon her suffering. I humbly beg you to give me true repentance for all my sins. Give me wisdom and humility, so that I may receive all the indulgences contained in this prayer.
Act of Contrition:
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend You, my God, You Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
(Pray 3 Hail Mary’s)
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
First Sword of Sorrow – The Prophecy of Simeon (St Luke 2:34-35)
O Mother of Sorrows, how deeply your heart was pierced with sorrow when Simeon announced that Jesus, your beloved Child, was to be a sign that would be rejected. Your heart knew that He was to be the suffering Messiah the prophets had foretold, the man of sorrows, who would carry all our sins and heal us by His wounds. Through this bitter sorrow obtain for us the grace never to reject Jesus or refuse Him anything. Help us to completely surrender our lives to Him and to live according to His most holy will in everything.
(Pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Mary’s)
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
Second Sword of Sorrow – Flight into Egypt (St Matthew 2:13-15)
O Mother of Sorrows, what pain filled your heart as you fled your home and country knowing that the tyrant Herod was intent on murdering your little Child whom you loved above all else. The hardships of travel, the long journey, and life as a refugee was nothing compared to the torment of such demonic malice directed toward Jesus. Through this bitter sword of sorrow obtain for us the grace never to risk the life of Jesus in our souls through deliberate sin.
(Pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Mary’s)
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
Third Sword of Sorrow – The Child Jesus Lost, But found in the Temple (St Luke 2:41-51)
O Mother of Sorrows, what grief filled your heart as you and Joseph searched desperately for Jesus when you could not find Him among your relatives and friends returning home from Jerusalem. When your Son replied that He must be about His Father’s business, you accepted that He had begun the mission that would lead to His sacrificial death. The sorrow of those three days of separation prepared you for the three days of suffering you endured while His body lay lifeless in the tomb. Through this bitter sword of sorrow obtain for us the grace to accept the ways of Divine Providence even when we do not understand them.
(Pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Mary’s)
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
Fourth Sword of Sorrow – Mary meets Jesus carrying the Cross (St Luke 23:26-31)
O Mother of Sorrows, how it must have wounded your tender maternal heart to see your beloved Son Jesus carrying His Cross to Calvary, the place of execution! How it must have pained you to see Him so bloodied, beaten, and reviled as He strained to fulfill His deepest desire: to give His life as a ransom for us. Through this bitter sword of sorrow obtain for us the grace to deny ourselves, pick up our crosses, and follow Jesus with perseverance and love.
(Pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Mary’s)
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
Fifth Sword of Sorrow – Mary at the foot of the Cross (St John 19:25-27)
O Mother of Sorrows, here the prophecy of Simeon comes to its ultimate fulfillment: the sword of sorrow impales your heart as you stand beneath the Cross of your Son. Crucified spiritually with your crucified Son, you offered Him to the Father and united yourself completely to His self-offering and sacrificial death. We simply cannot fathom the pain of your offering or the depth of love that inspired it. Through this bitter sword of sorrow obtain for us the grace to unite all our sufferings to our crucified Lord with unselfish generosity and love.
(Pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Mary’s)
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
Sixth Sword of Sorrow – Mary receives the body of Jesus (St John 19:38)
O Mother of Sorrows, your heart was drowned in grief as you embraced the lifeless corpse of your Son. He who was your very life was now dead. Your light in this life was extinguished. Yet you accepted this sorrow with love knowing that it was all part of the Father’s plan of salvation. Through this bitter sword of sorrow obtain for us the grace to accept with patience and love the sorrows that befall us in this vale of tears, firmly believing that God works all things to the good for those who love Him.
(Pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Mary’s)
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
Seventh Sword of Sorrow – Mary witnesses the burial of Jesus (St John 19:39-42)
O Mother of Sorrows, who could express the cruel anguish of this moment? The same Child that you once wrapped in swaddling clothes amidst unspeakable joy, you now wrap silently in His burial shroud. Your tears mingle with the blood and dirt that covers His broken body. But even in this moment your trust in His promise did not die. Your mourning was not without hope, for you knew that He would rise again from this grave just as He promised. Through this bitter sword of sorrow obtain for us the grace to believe with unshakable hope in the victory of our Lord even in the darkest moments of life.
(Pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Mary’s)
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
Concluding Prayer:
Queen of Martyrs, your heart suffered so much. I beg you, by the merits of the tears you shed in these terrible and sorrowful times, to obtain for me and all the sinners of the world the grace of complete sincerity and repentance. Amen.
Three times, say: Mary, who was conceived without sin and who suffered for us, pray for us.
Sign of the Cross: In the name of The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Amen.
What are the promises associated with the Seven Sorrows Devotion?
There are two private revelations made separately to St Bridget of Sweden and again to Marie Claire of Kibeho, Rwanda.
Promises of Our Lady to those who pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary!
To Saint Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373)
“I will grant peace to their families.”
“They will be enlightened about the divine Mysteries.”
“I will console them in their pains and will accompany them in their work.”
“I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.”
“I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.”
“I will visibly help them at the moment of their death– they will see the face of their mother.”
“I have obtained this grace from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.
To Marie Claire of Kibeho, Rwanda (1961-1994)
With the recitation of the Seven Sorrows Rosary, the hardest hearts shall change, if you pray it for yourself or for others.
By the recitation of the Seven Sorrows Rosary, you shall be freed from obsessions and addictions.
This rosary when said from the heart, it will win us true repentance of our sins and free our souls from guilt and remorse.
Those who say it often, especially as re-commended by Our Lady to Marie Claire, on Tuesdays and Fridays, shall obtain clear understanding of their weaknesses and flaws causing them to sin and those things we don’t like about ourselves and thought were a part of our character, shall change.
You shall obtain whatever you ask for through this rosary, praying this rosary from the heart.
More than ever, the world needs the Seven Sorrows Rosary.
In the Devotion to the Sorrowful Heart of Mary, we reflect on Our Lady’s journey as Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix.
Journey with Our Lady in Her Sorrows, keep Her company and She will keep You company throughout your life.
Our Lord and Our Lady do not break their promises.
Our Lady of Sorrows, Pray for us.