Meditation on the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady is a way of sharing in the major sorrows of Mary’s life. As we pray one Our Father, seven (or one) Hail Mary’s, and one Glory Be for each sorrow, we ponder the pain she endured along with her Son. We ask her to help us understand the evil we have done and to lead us to repentance. By joining our sorrows with Mary’s, as she joined her sacrifices with her Son’s, we participate in the work of our Redemption.
An Act of Contrition
O Lord, Jesus Christ, I am truly sorry for my sins. I humbly ask Your forgiveness, and I promise with Your help to prove worthy of Your love by sharing in Your Passion and death through Our Blessed Mother’s sorrows. Amen.
FIRST SORROW: The Prophecy of Simeon
How great was the shock to Mary’s heart at hearing the sorrowful words in which Simeon foretold the bitter passion and death of her sweet Jesus. Dear Mary, obtain for me a true sorrow for my sins.
SECOND SORROW: The Flight into Egypt
Consider the sharp sorrow which Mary felt when she and Joseph had to suddenly flee by night in order to preserve her Beloved Child from the slaughter decreed by Herod. What anguish was hers; how great her privations in that long journey. What sufferings she bore in that land of wails.
THIRD SORROW: The Loss of Jesus in the Temple
How dreadful was the grief of Mary when she realized that she had lost her beloved Son. Filled with worry and weariness, she and Joseph returned to Jerusalem, and for three long days sought Jesus, until finding Him in the temple.
FOURTH SORROW: Mary Meets Jesus on the way to Calvary
Come, O sinners, come and see if you can endure so sad a sight. This Mother, so tender and loving, meets her beloved Son amid those who drag Him to a cruel death. Consider, O dear people, the tremendous grief as their eyes met—the sorrow of the blessed mother thus beholding her Son.
FIFTH SORROW: Jesus Dies on the Cross
Look upon the two sacrifices on Calvary—one, the body of Jesus; the other, the heart of Mary. Sad is the sight of that dear Mother seeing her beloved Son cruelly nailed in the tree of the cross. She stood at the foot of the cross and heard her Son promise heaven to a thief and forgive His enemies. His last words are centered on His mother and are directed to us, Behold Thy Mother! Let us resolve always to look upon Mary as our Mother and remember that she never fails her children.
SIXTH SORROW: Mary Received the Body of Jesus in her Arms
Ponder the bitter sorrow which rent the heart of Mary when the body of her dear Jesus was lowered from the cross and placed in her arms. O mournful Mother, our hearts are softened with sorrow upon seeing such affliction.
SEVENTH SORROW: Jesus is Placed in the Tomb
The most tragic day in history ends, and all that is left for the Mother is to accompany her Son’s Body to the grave. What grief was hers as she gazed a last time on the lifeless body of her Son, and the great stone was rolled to seal the entrance to the tomb.
Let us pray
O Mother, obtain that all our love may rest with you and your Son, Our Saviour, Who shed His blood for our salvation. By all your sorrows, grant that the memory of them may be imprinted on our mind, that our hearts may burn with love for God, and for the Passion of Jesus: to Him be honor, glory and thanksgiving for ever and ever. Amen.
