The Promises of the Seven Sorrows of Mary and the Power of the Seven Hail Marys
A Journey into the Heart of Our Sorrowful Mother
In every age of the Church, the Blessed Virgin Mary has drawn souls closer to her Son through her maternal love and compassion. One of the most powerful devotions given to us is the Devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary, which helps us meditate on her deep suffering and unwavering faith during the Passion of Jesus Christ.
This devotion is not only an act of love toward Our Lady but also a path to conversion, healing, and grace — especially when we unite her sorrows with our own.
The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary
As revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden, the faithful are invited to meditate on seven key sorrows that pierced the Immaculate Heart of Mary:
1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25–35)
Mary hears that her Child will be “a sign that will be contradicted,” and that a sword will pierce her soul.
2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15)
To protect the infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt — a journey of hardship and fear.
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41–50)
After three days of anxious searching, Mary and Joseph find Jesus teaching in the Temple.
4. Mary Meets Jesus Carrying the Cross (Luke 23:27–31)
Their eyes meet on the road to Calvary — a silent exchange of unbearable sorrow and deep love.
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25–30)
Mary stands at the foot of the Cross, watching her beloved Son suffer and die for humanity.
6. The Body of Jesus Placed in the Arms of His Mother (Luke 23:50–54)
She receives His lifeless body, holding Him close for the last time.
7. The Burial of Jesus (Luke 23:55–56)
Mary watches as the stone seals the tomb — her heart, too, enclosed in silence and grief.
The Seven Promises to Those Who Practice This Devotion
Our Lady revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden seven extraordinary promises for those who daily meditate upon her sorrows and pray seven Hail Marys — one for each sorrow:
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 accompany them in their work.
4. I will give them as much as they ask for — as long as it does not oppose the 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 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 from my Divine Son that those who spread this devotion will be taken directly from earthly life to eternal happiness, as their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.
How to Pray the Seven Sorrows Devotion
This devotion can be prayed daily or especially on Fridays, the day of the Passion.
Here’s a simple way to pray:
1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
2. Announce the First Sorrow, reflect briefly on it, and pray one Hail Mary.
3. Continue through all seven sorrows, praying one Hail Mary for each.
4. End with:
“O Mary, who was conceived without sin and who suffered for us, pray for us.”
You may also add an Act of Contrition and offer your prayers for the conversion of sinners and for the souls in Purgatory.
The Power of the Seven Hail Marys
The “Seven Hail Marys” prayed in honor of Our Lady’s sorrows are not mere repetition but a loving remembrance of the moments when her heart united most deeply with the sufferings of her Son.
Each Hail Mary becomes a flower of compassion offered to her sorrowful heart — and through her, graces flow abundantly to those who suffer, repent, and trust in God’s mercy.
A Mother’s Promise of Hope
In the devotion of the Seven Sorrows, we discover not only Mary’s immense pain but also her strength, her faith, and her victory through love.
When we console the Sorrowful Mother, she consoles us in return — guiding us toward Christ, the source of peace and eternal joy.
“No one will ever be lost who honors my sorrows and helps me in my tears.”
— Our Lady to St. Bridget
