Tag Archives: Catholic prayer

Our Lady of Sorrows

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
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Today is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

In my book, “Daily Devotions for Grandmothers,” I wrote some reflections on the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows. I’ll provide an excerpt from the Prayer Appendix below.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary Devotion

Tradition holds that in the fourteenth century, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373), requesting devotion to her tears and dolors. She promised seven graces to those who honor her by mediating upon her seven sorrows daily.

Consider spending a few minutes a day to honor Mary in her seven sorrows by praying seven Hail Marys daily (or seven for each sorrow daily) while meditating upon each sorrow.

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First Sorrow: The prophecy of Simeon. “Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2: 34-35).

First Promise of Grace: Peace to their families.

Consider that what should have been a happy occasion for parents presenting their beloved baby in the Temple did not turn out that way. Normally, parents would experience great joy and thanksgiving in fulfilling the law and basking in the goodness of God, Whom had gifted their child to them. However, in the case of the Holy Family, the experience was very different. A sword of sorrow had pierced Mother Mary’s heart, upon hearing the holy prophesy of Simeon.

Pray: Mary, I wish to honor you in your seven sorrows. Thank you for your promise of grace and peace to our families. Now, pray one Our Father, and seven Hail Marys.

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Second Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt. “Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph[a] got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son” (Mathew 2:13-14).

Second Promise of Grace: They will be enlightened about divine mysteries.

Consider the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt. An Angel told Saint Joseph in his dream, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him” (Matthew, 2:13-14). How hard this was for their little family. Consider Mary grabbing hold of her sweet Baby Jesus and wrapping Him quickly to set out on a perilous journey to safety. Though a woman of deep faith, she was also intensely concerned for the life of her holy Child. 

Meditate upon Mary’s heavy Immaculate Heart in her rush to Egypt and pray wholeheartedly.

Pray: Our Lady of Sorrows, please help me. Thank you for the promise of grace to enlighten devotees about divine mysteries. Now, pray one Our Father, and seven Hail Marys.

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Third Sorrow: The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple. “When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him” (Luke 2:43-45).

Third Promise of Grace: I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work. 

Consider this third sorrow of Mary. Her precious Child Jesus lost for 3 entire days and her motherly heart was in turmoil. She prayed and searched with St. Joseph. Can we imagine the torment we would feel in not knowing how to find our beautiful child at a time without our modern technology? The holy couple traipsed all over to finally find the boy Jesus. He told them that he was doing His Father’s business. 

Ponder Mary’s sorrows, especially in losing her Son.

Dear Our Lady of Sorrows, thank you for the promise of grace that you will console us in our pains and accompany us in our work. Now, pray one Our Father, and seven Hail Marys.

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Fourth Sorrow: The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross. 

“A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed”(Luke 23:27-29).

Fourth Promise of Grace: 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.

Consider this fourth sorrow of Mary. Can we imagine seeing our own son carrying a cross on the way to his death? When their eyes met, Mary’s heart was breaking, though she knew what had to happen for the salvation of souls. She was (and is still) totally connected to her Son’s work. Her holy tears ran down her sorrowful face as she fervently prayed. 

Take time to ponder Mary’s tears and sorrow.

Dear Our Lady of Sorrows, please help me. Thank you for your promise of the grace of giving us as much as we ask for as long as it is within God’s holy will. Now, pray one Our Father, and seven Hail Marys.

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Fifth Sorrow: The Crucifixion. “Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home” (John 19:25-27).

Fifth Promise of Grace: I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.

Consider Mary, after having followed behind, as her divine Son carried the Cross to His death, with grave sorrow, witnessed huge nails pounded into His Sacred hands and feet. Then, being raised up on the wooden Cross, Mary watched her Son’s Precious Blood drip down His body. It was impossible for her to put a stop to her Son’s agonizing death. Helplessly, she watched as her Son forgave others, promised Eternal Life to the good thief hanging beside Him,  and gave the eminent gift of His own Blessed Mother to John and all mankind. 

Meditate upon Mary’s sorrow and the gift of Mother Mary in your life.

Dear Our Lady of Sorrows, thank you for your promise of the grace of defending me in spiritual battles and for such great protection. Now, pray one Our Father, and seven Hail Marys.

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Sixth Sorrow: The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross. “Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out” (John 19:32-34).

Sixth Promise of Grace: I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their Mother.

Consider the excruciating pain and heart ache of Mother Mary as she watched the soldier thrust a sword into her dear Son’s Sacred Heart. Yet, that very Blood and Water which gushed forth was in reality the beginning of the Church and a sure sign of Divine Mercy for the world. After a while, when the time was right, Jesus’ dead Body was lowered from the cruel Cross and the Divine Son was placed on Mother Mary’s lap, against her breast, to be cradled in her aching arms. 

Can we even imagine her sorrow? 

Meditate on Mother Mary’s deep sorrow. Close your eyes, take your time, pray, and imagine yourself in the scene.

Dear Our Lady of Sorrows, thank you for your great promise to visibly help me at the hour of my death. Now, pray one Our Father, and seven Hail Marys.

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Seventh Sorrow: The burial of Jesus 

“After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there” (John 19: 38-42).

Seventh Promise of Grace: 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 and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.

Consider, when Jesus was buried in the tomb, Mother Mary’s Immaculate Heart was aching beyond anything we can imagine. Yet, as a faith-filled and prayerful Jewish woman, she prayed earnestly as she helped with the burial of her own Son. Her holy tears must have mingled with the spices and sweet smelling herbs. Can we imagine her loving and sorrowful gaze as she observed her Son’s battered dead Body?

Meditate upon Mary’s deep and grievous sorrow. Place yourself in the scene with her in prayer.

Dear Our Lady of Sorrows, please help me. I am sorry you suffered excruciatingly to have to bury your own beloved Son. Thank you for the great graces that you promise to devotees of your sorrows. Now, pray one Our Father, and seven Hail Marys.

I have designed and crafted a Prayer Cord in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows. You can order an “Our Lady of Sorrows” Prayer Cord here.

You can learn more and order a copy of my book “Daily Devotions for Grandmothers” here.

Mother Teresa “Emergency Novena” Prayer Cord

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
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Brand new! Here is my Mother Teresa “Emergency Novena” Prayer Cord. Mother Teresa often prayed what she called an “Urgent Novena” or an “Emergency Novena” (sometimes, called the “flying Novena”) whenever she needed Heavenly help quickly. She prayed 9 Memorare prayers in a row (at one time, not on 9 separate days). Then, she immediately followed it up with a 10th Memorare in thanksgiving to God — no matter what happened.

You might already be familiar with the Mother Teresa “Emergency Novena” bracelets I have created. However, here is a Prayer Cord to help you keep track of your Memorares and to have in your pocket, back pack, or purse as a sacramental (after it is blessed) and a tangible sign of FAITH.

It measures approximately 10 inches from end to end.

You may order your Prayer Cord below:

Reflecting on 9/11

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
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My friend June who had worked nearby to the horrifying devastation that occurred on 9/11 paused to reflect upon the events of her day, and nineteen years later, has shared her thoughts with me.

“I was living in Westchester County, north of New York City,” she recalled, “and taking the Metro-North commuter railroad to Grand Central terminal on the East side of New York City each day.” This began her trek to work, which she did so often, she could probably do it in her sleep!

It began as a typical work day for June. Buses, taxis, trucks, and cars were out in full force. Shop owners were opening their doors for business, while conversations emanated from newsstands and breakfast kiosks, and the unmistakable satisfying rich aroma of freshly brewing coffee wafted through New York City’s air. 

My friend recalled her typical morning, “I would then walk to my office at the Verizon location at 42nd Street and 6th Avenue.” Every day, June naturally took in the day-to-day New York City sights and sounds as she walked briskly to get to work. 

Looking south from 6th Avenue, the view was dominated by the twin towers. 

Though the daily sights and sounds along June’s commute were pretty much predictable, she remembered that on that particular morning, she had made a point to pause and make a mental note of appreciation of the incredible beauty that caught her eye. 

June told me, “As I reached 6th Avenue and approached the Verizon building, I recall looking south, seeing the towers, and thinking what a beautiful day it was. Without a single cloud, the sky was an incredible rich blue.” 

Mental note taken, she kept up her swift morning pace and got to the office for what she imagined would be yet another true to form work day.

That striking eye-catching beauty that June had gazed upon earlier and so much more was about to quickly evaporate. As June recalled, “I was on a call, when someone came to my office to tell me that a plane had hit one of the towers.”

Dumbfounded, June went over to one of the offices with a view south and “saw just one tower standing.” 

“For the sake of His sorrowful Passion…”

She immediately turned to God. June said, “I prayed for everyone, including friends who were working at the Verizon building across the street.” Within minutes, a second plane hit the other tower. As June watched in utter disbelief, she shared, “The second tower fell.”

She added, “I recall praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for all the souls.”

The Empire State Building is just eight blocks from the Verizon 42nd Street building. “Fearful that a third plane might target the Empire State Building,” June said, “about 11 AM, upper management advised us to vacate the building and head home.” June made immediate arrangements with her brother who was working at the same location. They met in the lobby, along with another worker, who headed out with them. June said, “Because no trains were leaving from Grand Central, we decided to walk to my brother’s home in Queens.”

June deeply reflected and continued to share her experience, “By 11 AM, with almost all traffic stopped and no planes flying overhead, and the hushed tones of other people nearby, midtown New York City was eerily quiet.” She told me that suddenly everything had dramatically changed. There were, “No engines humming, no impatient horns tooting, no boisterous crowd conversations.” None of that was left—it had totally, frighteningly dissipated into thin air, it seemed.

June called to mind, “It was spooky without all the noise of daily hustle and bustle.” She  vividly remembered, “With so many walking—heading uptown, walking across the bridges usually filled with vehicles—the visual was like that of refugees walking miles to safety.”

Eerie silence remains vividly in her thoughts

June could not forget. “Everyone was focused on the billowing smoke where the towers had been downtown.That frighteningly eerie silence is still very vivid in my thoughts.”

“We walked about seven or eight miles into the heart of Queens,” June shared. The siblings found a tour bus driver who was willing to take them a few miles farther. June said, “At that point, off the bus, we neared the famously heavily traveled Long Island Expressway.” 

June recalled the experience. Even eerier still, “With no vehicles traveling on the Expressway, the only sounds we heard were the booms of fighter jets flying overhead.”

June’s brother contacted a parish priest who is a good friend stationed at a church about three miles from where they were at the time. “The priest had to navigate through police blockades but did reach us about an hour later.” June will never forget that long journey when, amid countless others who suddenly found themselves in the same inconceivable predicament, the three of them kept putting one foot in front of the other to get to safety. 

“We started our journey at 11 AM and reached my brother’s home about 4 PM.”

It was a trek that June, her brother, their priest friend, and thousands of others would never forget. June said, “I stayed with my brother overnight. The following day, he was able to drive me to the Westchester train station where I had left my car the previous morning.” 

As June recollected, she stated a couple of times, “I can hardly believe that all this, and more in the months that followed, happened 19 years ago!” It is still so very fresh in the minds of countless people.

June counted her blessings and told me, “We were fortunate to have been far enough uptown to only see the macro picture of what was happening, but our friends who worked at the Verizon building across the street from the towers saw, felt, and experienced everything within a couple of hundred feet.” 

June stated, that because of the unimaginable horrendous trauma, “A number of them suffered from PTSD afterward and still have difficulty today.” 

Sadly, in addition to the horrifying devastation thousands have experienced and have even perished from, many others suffer from “survivor’s guilt,” and, as June pointed out, “many are reliving the trauma of seeing everything close up.”

June shared with me, “My brother and I pray each year for the deceased and also for the survivors, those friends and heroes who were there that day and those who worked later at the site doing rescue, recovery, and cleanup.” 

June encourages us, “If you haven’t had an opportunity to go to the memorial and museum, both are beautiful solemn tributes.”