The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary

History of the Devotion

Devotion to the Sorrowful Mother began on Calvary when Our Dying Lord gave us His Mother, saying to St. John "Behold Thy Mother".

In Italy, around 1233 on the Feast of the Assumption, Mary appeared to seven men, absorbed in penitential prayer, her eyes streaming with tears, she said "SPREAD EVERYWHERE THE MEMORY OF MY DOLORS AND THE PASSION OF MY JESUS". In 1240 they withdrew from the world to pray and serve the Lord, leading a life of penance, prayer and service to 'St. Mary' by forming a Religious Community, the Servants of Mary, known as the Servites. Under the direction of St. Peter of Verona, they began to wear a religious habit similar to the Dominicans and began to live under the rule of Saint Augustine. The order took on new life and before the end of the 14th century had over 100 convents throughout Europe, India and Crete. The Servites devoted their prayer to the rosary of the Seven Sorrows.

The devotion was encouraged by St. Bridget of Sweden, who revealed seven graces that Our Lady would grant to souls who honour her by daily praying seven Hail Mary’s while meditating on her tears and Sorrows. She promised the following:

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 in union with the Divine Will of my Son.
5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles and protect them.
6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death - they will see my face.
7. Those who propagate this devotion will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness.

In 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima. Beginning on May 13 she appeared to them each month till her final appearance on October 13, the day of the Great Miracle witnessed by 70,000 people. Mary requested that the Rosary be prayed to avert war and establish peace. The Blessed Mother terminated the final apparition by showing the children three separate visions, symbolizing the rosary.

The fist vision was of the Holy Family – representing the joyful mysteries;
The second was Our Lady of Sorrows – representing the sorrowful mysteries.
The third was a vision of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel – representing the glorious mysteries.

The rosary is a powerful weapon given to us by Our Lady by which we can fight the evils of today’s world.

From 1982 to 1983, in Kibeho, Rwanda, 3 young visionaries reported appearances by the Blessed Virgin Mary who identified herself as Our Lady of the Word. Mary instructed one of the visionaries (Marie-Claire Mukangango) to spread the devotion of the Seven Sorrows Rosary because of a terrible war that would soon erupt. Twelve years later, in 1994, the Rwandan genocide took place. The visionary’s predictions of rivers of blood and thousands upon thousands of dead bodies strewn about the streets came true. Approximately one million people died, including the visionary Marie-Claire. On July 2, 2001, the Vatican declared the apparitions approved. The Seven Sorrows Rosary continues to be the central devotion as the nation of Rwanda, and indeed the people of Africa, work toward healing and peace.

How to begin this prayer?

O God, we offer You this Rosary for Your glory, so we may honour the Mother of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin, so we can share and meditate upon her suffering and through her, the suffering of Jesus. We humbly beg You to give us wisdom, humility and true repentance for all our sins.

Act of Contrition: My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things.

I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.

Our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

In Compassion for our Sorrowful Mother’s tears and to offer our tears in union with hers.

The First Sorrow to pierce the Heart of Mary: The Prophecy of Simeon

Filled with joy, you presented your first-born son in the temple only to hear the prophecy of Simeon foretelling the suffering of Jesus.
Announcing that your Son, Love Incarnate, would be a sign to be opposed.

Sorrowful Mother, there are Christians in the world today, who are hated for nothing other than their faith in God who is Love. And yet they have chosen to follow your Son, even to Calvary. Be with them now, strengthen their faith, and reaffirm their choice to follow Jesus.