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.