OUR LADY OF SORROWS : A Mother Who Understands Our Pain

Our Lady of Sorrows: A Mother Who Understands Our Pain

The Catholic Church lovingly honors Our Lady of Sorrows, whose heart was pierced by grief as she shared in the suffering of her Son, Jesus Christ. She is the mother who teaches us how to accept trials with faith, unite our sufferings to the Cross, and trust in God’s plan of salvation.

Who Is Our Lady of Sorrows?

The title Our Lady of Sorrows refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary in relation to the immense sufferings she endured, especially at the Passion of her Son. The prophecy of Simeon foretold this: “And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:35).

Mary experienced seven sorrows in her life, which the Church meditates upon:

1. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)

2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)

3. The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-50)

4. Mary meets Jesus on the way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17)

5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)

6. The body of Jesus is taken down from the Cross (Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-34, 38)

7. The burial of Jesus (Luke 23:55-56)

These sorrows show us that Mary truly understands the pain of every mother, every child, and every believer who suffers in this world. She is not a distant figure, but a compassionate mother who walks with us in our tears and trials.

Why Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows Matters

When we turn to Our Lady of Sorrows, we learn:

Patience in suffering – Mary teaches us how to bear crosses without despair.

Compassion for others – Her pierced heart reminds us to comfort those who mourn.

Deeper union with Jesus – Through Mary, we unite our suffering to Christ’s redemptive sacrifice.

St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote that Mary’s sufferings “were greater than those of all martyrs.” And yet, she never rebelled but trusted God completely.

The Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary

One of the most beautiful devotions to Our Lady of Sorrows is the Rosary Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows. Unlike the regular Rosary, this chaplet has seven groups of seven beads (total of 49), with a medal depicting the Sorrowful Mother.

How to Pray the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows:

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.

2. Say the Introductory Prayer:

“My God, I offer You this Rosary for Your glory, that I may honor Your Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin, to share and meditate upon her suffering. I humbly beg You to give me true repentance for all my sins. Amen.”

3. On the medal (or first bead), pray an Our Father.

4. Then announce the First Sorrow, meditate on it, and pray 7 Hail Marys.

5. Repeat for all Seven Sorrows.

6. After each sorrow, you may add: “Holy Mother, hear the prayers of your children. Help us to bear our sufferings in union with the sufferings of Christ.”

The Seven Sorrows (with corresponding prayers):

1. The Prophecy of Simeon – 7 Hail Marys

2. The Flight into Egypt – 7 Hail Marys

3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple – 7 Hail Marys

4. Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary – 7 Hail Marys

5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus – 7 Hail Marys

6. The Body of Jesus Taken Down from the Cross – 7 Hail Marys

7. The Burial of Jesus – 7 Hail Marys

At the end of all 7 sorrows, pray 3 Hail Marys in honor of our Lady's tears

Closing Prayer:

“Pray for us, O most sorrowful Virgin, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.”

The Promises of Our Lady

1. Tradition holds that Mary made special promises to those who faithfully pray the Seven Sorrows Chaplet, such as:

2. True repentance before death

3. Strength in times of suffering

4. Special graces for families and children

5. Protection from spiritual despair

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Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows

O most sorrowful Mother Mary,

you who stood faithfully at the foot of the Cross,

sharing in the sufferings of your Son, Jesus,

look with compassion upon me in my trials and sorrows.

Through your pierced heart,

help me to unite my sufferings to Christ’s sacrifice

for the salvation of souls.

Obtain for me the grace of patience in adversity,

strength in weakness,

and trust in God’s holy will.

O Mother of Sorrows,

wrap me in your mantle of love,

and lead me always closer to Jesus.

Intercede for me in all my needs,

and never let me be separated from your Son.

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us. Amen.

Conclusion

In times of suffering, we are never alone. Our Lady of Sorrows is a tender mother who knows what it means to weep, to lose, and to endure pain. Through devotion to her sorrows, especially the Chaplet, we draw closer to Jesus and find hope in the midst of trials.

Let us often pray:

“Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.”

Pray To Our Lady Of Sorrows For Her Unfailing Intercession To Obtain Healing And Protection from Covid 19

Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows

By St. Bridget


O Blessed Virgin Mary, Immaculate Mother of God, who didst endure a martyrdom of love and grief, beholding the sufferings and sorrows of Jesus! Thou didst co-operate in the benefit of my redemption by thy innumerable afflictions and by offering to the Eternal Father His only-begotten Son as a holocaust and victim of propitiation for my sins. I thank thee for the unspeakable love which led thee to deprive thyself of the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus, true God and true Man, to save me, a sinner. Oh! make use of the unfailing intercession of thy sorrows with the Father and the Son. that I may steadfastly amend my life and never again crucify my loving Redeemer by new sins; arid that, persevering till death in His grace, I may obtain eternal life through the merits of His Cross and Passion. Amen.



Mother of Love, of Sorrow, and of Mercy, Pray for us, Please protect us from the Coronavirus infection and Heal the people with COVID-19.

Chaplet of Our Lady of Sorrows

The Seven Sorrows Chaplet (also known as the Seven Dolors Chaplet or the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows) consists of seven Hail Marys for each of the seven Sorrows. One Our Father is said before each group of seven Hail Marys. After the seven Hail Marys of each Sorrow this stanza is said: “Holy Mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior Crucified.” On the three beads, at the end of the chaplet, three Hail Marys are said in honor of the Tears of Our Sorrowful Mother.

While reciting the prayers meditate upon:

THE FIRST SORROW–The Prophecy of Simeon: The prophecy of holy Simeon who told Our Sorrowful Mother of the bitter passion and death of Jesus. Our Father, Seven Hail Marys, “Holy Mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior Crucified.”

“Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35)

THE SECOND SORROW–The Flight into Egypt: Our Sorrowful Mother is forced to flee into Egypt to save her beloved Son from the death of all the innocent children ordered by Herod. Our Father, Seven Hail Marys, “Holy Mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior Crucified.”

“Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Matthew 2:13-15)

THE THIRD SORROW–The Loss of Jesus in Jerusalem: Our Sorrowful Mother is separated from Jesus for three long days while He is lost in Jerusalem. Our Father, Seven Hail Marys, “Holy Mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior Crucified.”

“Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the  boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple…” (Luke 2: 41-46)

THE FOURTH SORROW–Jesus Meets His Mother: Our Sorrowful Mother meets Jesus on the road to Calvary and sees Him fall under the cruel weight of the cross. Our Father, Seven Hail Marys, “Holy Mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior Crucified.”

“Carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, In Hebrew, Golgotha” (John 19:17)

THE FIFTH SORROW–Jesus Dies on the Cross: Our Sorrowful Mother watches Jesus die on the Cross. Our Father, Seven Hail Marys, “Holy Mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior Crucified.”

“Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala…When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.” (John 19:25, 30)

THE SIXTH SORROW–Mary Receives the Body of Jesus: Our Sorrowful Mother receives the dead body of Jesus in her arms. Our Father, Seven Hail Marys, “Holy Mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior Crucified.”

“..a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph…went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over.” (Matthew 27:57-58)

THE SEVENTH SORROW–The Burial: Our Sorrowful Mother sees Jesus placed in the sacred tomb. Our Father, Seven Hail Marys, “Holy Mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior Crucified.”

“They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom.  Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, win which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.” (John 19:40-42)

ENDING PRAYERS:

Three Hail Marys prayed in honor of the Tears of our Sorrowful Mother.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be prayed for the intentions of the Pope, the Holy Father.

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