The Seven Sorrows of Mary & The Promises to Those Who Meditate Upon Them Daily

by ChurchPOP Editor

Are you familiar with the devotion of Our Lady of Sorrows? If not, this is a wonderful Catholic devotion to meditate upon daily.

The Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on Sept. 15, immediately following the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

Mary presented several promises to St. Bridget of Sweden to those who devote themselves to the seven sorrows of her heart. But first, let’s look at her heart’s sorrows.

Mary’s Seven Sorrows, as presented in Scripture:

1) The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2: 34-35)

2) The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2: 13-21)

3) The Loss of Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2: 41-50)

4) The Carrying of the Cross (John 19: 17)

5) The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19: 18-30)

6) Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (John 19: 39-40)

7) Jesus Laid in the Tomb (John 19: 39-42)

St. Alphonsus Liguori revealed in his book, The Glories of Mary, that Jesus has four promises for those who devote themselves to Mary’s seven sorrows:

1) “That those who invoke the divine mother by her sorrows, before death will merit to obtain true repentance of all their sins.”

2) “That he will protect such in their tribulations, especially at the hour of death.”

3) “That he will impress upon them the memory of his passion, and that they shall have their reward for it in heaven.”

4) “That he will commit such devout servants to the hands of Mary, that she may dispose of them according to her pleasure, and obtain for them all the graces she desires.”

The Virgin Mary also presented her own promises to St. Bridget of Sweden for those who devote themselves to her sorrowful heart. Mary asks that the devotee prays one Hail Mary in honor of each of her sorrows.

Mary’s Seven Promises:

1) “I will grant peace to their families.”

2) “They will be enlightened about the divine Mysteries.”

3) “I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them
in their work.”

4) “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.”

5) “I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.”

6) “I will visibly help them at the moment of their death — they will see the face of their Mother.”

7) “I have obtained this grace from My divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to My tears and sorrows 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.”

In his book The Glories of Mary, St. Alphonsus Liguori includes meditations for each one of Mary’s seven sorrows. You can download the book for here, and the meditations begin on page 537. There are also additional prayers to Our Lady of Sorrows in the book.

Does this inspire you to begin a devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows?

Our Lady of Sorrows, Pray for Us!

Each Sorrow is meditated upon while praying 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Mary's. 

The First Sorrow of Mary: 
The Prophecy of Simeon at the Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:22-35)

1. When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
2. Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
3. He took Jesus up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word;
4. for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples.
5. And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him;
6. and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against"
7. (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."

The Second Sorrow of Mary: 
The Flight into Egypt (Mt 2:13-21)

1. When the Magi had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream
2. He said, "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."
3. Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod.
4. Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage.
5. He sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under.
6. But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.
7. "Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.

The Third Sorrow of Mary: 

The Loss of Jesus in the Temple (Lk 2:41-50)

1. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom;

2. When the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.

3. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey,

4. They sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.

5. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

6. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously."

7. He said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

The Fourth Sorrow of Mary: 

Mary Encounters Jesus on the Way of the Cross (John 19:1; Luke 23:26-32)

1. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross.
2. And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.
3. And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him.
4. But Jesus turning to them said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
5. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never gave suck!'
6. For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"
7. And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull).

The Fifth Sorrow of Mary: 
Jesus Dies on the Cross (Mark 15:22; John 19:18, 25-27; Mark 15:34; Luke 23:46)

1. And they brought him to the place called Gol'gotha (which means the place of a skull).

2. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.
3. Standing by the cross of Jesus were his Mother, and his Mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
4. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!"
5. Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your Mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
6. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "E'lo-i, E'lo-i, la'ma sabach-tha'ni?" which means, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
7. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last.

The Sixth Sorrow of Mary: Jesus Is Taken Down From the Cross (John 19:31-34, 38; Lam 1:12)

1. In order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the sabbath, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
2. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him;
3. but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
4. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.
5. After this Joseph of Arimathe'a, who was a disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus.
6. Pilate gave him leave. So he came and took away his body.
7. "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow.

The Seventh Sorrow of Mary: 
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb (Matthew 27:59; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:46; Luke 27:55-56)

1. Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud,

2. Nicodemus also, who had at first come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds' weight.
3. They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
4. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid.
5. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. And Joseph rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
6. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid.
7. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

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Related:

 Manual of Devotions
in Honour of Our Lady of Sorrows

http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.

Mother of Sorrows,
Pray for us. *

Thou who didst find no room at the inn, *

Who wast forced to take refuge in a stable, *

Who didst lay thy First-born in a manger. *

Who didst witness with compassion the Circumcision of thy Son, *

Who didst hear that thy Son was set as a sign that should be contradicted, *

Who didst hear that thine own soul should be pierced with a sword, *

Who wast fain to fly into Egypt with thy Son, *

Who didst grieve for the murder of the Innocents, *

Who for three days didst seek sorrowing thy Son, lost in the Temple, when He was twelve years old, *

Who didst painfully note the constant hatred of the Jews against Him, *

Who, on the day of the Last Supper, didst bid a sad farewell to thy Son going to Jerusalem to suffer, *

Who didst learn that He was betrayed by Judas, and led away captive, *

Who didst see Him delivered up as a malefactor to the chief priests, *

Who didst hear that He was falsely accused, *

Who didst learn that His blessed face was struck with a fearful blow, *

Who didst hear that He was most cruelly treated by the Jews and by the soldiers, *

Who didst hear thy Son rejected for Barabbas, *

Who didst behold Him beaten with scourges and crowned with thorns, *

Who didst hear the unjust sentence pronounced against Him, *

Who didst go to meet thy Son loaded with the weight of the Cross, *

Who didst see His blessed hands and feet being pierced with dreadful nails, *

Who didst receive the last words of thy Son upon the Cross, *

Who didst stand by Him in His agony, *

Who didst receive into thy maternal bosom the lifeless body of thy Son, taken down from the Cross, *

Who, after the body of thy Son was buried, didst return home all sad and desolate, *

O Queen of Martyrs, *

O Mirror of the afflicted, *

O Comfort of the weak, *

O Strength of the fearful, *

O Refuge of sinners, *


Through the most bitter Passion and Death of thy Son,
Deliver us, O Queen of Martyrs. **

Through the most poignant sorrows of thy heart, **

Through thy exceeding sadness and desolation, **

Through thy extreme anguish, **

Through thy groans and tears, **

Through thy maternal compassion, **

Through thy most powerful patronage, **

Through thy advocacy at the throne of thy Son, **

From immoderate sadness, **

From a pusillanimous spirit, **

From every occasion and danger of sin, **

From the snares of the devil, **

From hardness of heart, **

From impenitence, **

From sudden and unprepared-for death, **

From eternal damnation, **

We sinners:
Beseech thee to hear us.

That thou wouldst vouchsafe to preserve us by thy patronage in true faith, hope, and charity,

We beseech thee, hear us. ***


That thou wouldst vouchsafe to obtain for us from thy Son perfect sorrow and repentance for our sins, ***

That thou wouldst vouchsafe to bring consolation and assistance to those who call upon thee, ***

That thou wouldst vouchsafe to succor us in the agony of death. ***

That thou wouldst vouchsafe to obtain for us a happy end. ***

Mother of God, ***

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.


Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.


V. In all our tribulations and afflictions,
R. Succor us, O most Blessed Virgin Mary.

Let us pray:

O Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, that the holy Virgin Mary Thy Mother, whose sacred soul was pierced with the sword of sorrow in the hour of Thy Passion, may intercede with us for Thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death: through Thine own merits, O Jesus, Saviour of the world. Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, God, world without end. Amen.

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Consecration of a Family to the Mother of God
(by St. Alphonsus)

O Blessed Virgin, Immaculate Queen of Heaven, Mother of Sorrows, refuge and comfort of all the afflicted! Kneeling before your throne with all my family, I choose you as our Mistress, Mother, and Advocate with God. I consecrate myself and all belonging to me forever to your service, and I implore you, O Mother of God, to number us among your servants. Take us under your protection, assist us during life and especially at the hour of death. Mother of Mercy, I choose you as the Lady and Mistress of my entire household: my parents, my spouse, my children, my cares, and my duties. Disdain not to take charge of them, and direct everything as seems good to you. Bless us all, and permit not that anyone of us should ever offend your Son. Protect us in temptation, preserve us in danger, help us in trouble, counsel us in doubt, assist us in sickness, and especially at the hour of death. Permit not the evil one to boast that anyone of us now consecrated to you has ever fallen into his net. Obtain for us the crown of eternal happiness, that we may thank you while praising and loving Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, for all eternity. Amen.

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Pious Exercise in Honor of Our Lady of Dolors

The Sovereign Pontiff, Pius VII., by a brief, Dec. 1,1815, in order to increase, in all the faithful, devotion toward the sorrows of the most holy Virgin Mary, and to excite in them grateful recollection of the passion of her Son Jesus, granted to those who, with contrite heart, shall say the Hail Mary, seven times, and after each Hail Mary, the stanza,

Bid me bear, O mother blessed!
On my heart the wounds impressed,
Suffered by the Crucified,

An Indulgence of 300 days, once daily--Pope Pius IX 1876

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Ejaculations

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! may I breathe out my soul in peace with you.

(Indulgence of Seven Years--Pope Leo XIII, 1897)


Mater Dolorosa Ora Pro Nobis!