About the Chaplet
And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.
Luke 2:35 DRA
Our Lady’s Promises
The Blessed Virgin Mary has promised to grant seven graces to the souls who honor her daily by saying seven Hail Mary’s and meditating on her tears and sorrows. These are the seven promises:
- I will grant peace to their families.
- They will be enlightened about the Divine Mysteries.
- I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.
- 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.
- I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
- I will visibly help them at the moment of their death; they will see the face of their Mother.
- I have obtained from my Divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.
History of the Devotion
This devotion is closely connected with the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross which has been celebrated since the year 326. On September 14th of that year, St. Helen found the True Cross on Calvary. Four of the Seven Sorrows occur in conjunction with Christ’s passion and death.
St. Ambrose and Ephrem the Syrian (fourth century) showed devotion to the Sorrows of Mary in their writing and St. Bridget of Sweden (13th century) received several visions of Our Lady encouraging the devotion and naming the seven promises for those who adopt it. St. Alphonsus Liguori has an entire section devoted to her sorrows in his book The Glories of Mary (d 1787).
Mary recently encouraged this devotion in the 1980s when she made several visits to school children in Kibeho, Rwanda, where it gained new popularity. During these Church-approved Mary’s apparitions to Marie-Claire Mukangango, she assigned the young visionary a mission to reintroduce this special rosary to the world. Before her untimely death, Marie Claire did just that, traveling widely to teach it to thousands of people, who then taught it to thousands of others. (Marie-Claire was killed in the genocide of over a million people in Rwanda, a tragedy that was foretold through visions of rivers of blood that the young people in Kibeho received several years before the killings.)
There is actually a religious order that originally formed around a devotion to Mary at the foot of the cross. The Servants of Mary, or Servites, were formed around 1239.
During his pontificate, Paul V (d 1621) officially recognized a rudimentary form Seven Sorrows Rosary when he awarded all who prayed seven Our Fathers and seven Hail Marys while contemplating Our Lady’s sorrows a 60 day indulgence when certain other criteria were met (this was before the Church did away with numerical values of indulgences).
Fra Arcangelo Ballottini of Bologna (d 1622) is the man who gave us the form of prayer we have kept to this day. He proposed extending the prayer; rather than seven Our Fathers and seven Hail Marys, he suggested adapting a form similar to the Rosary. Each Sorrow should be contemplated while praying one Our Father and seven Hail Marys. He also proposed that the faithful pray it daily, just like the Rosary.
If you are like me and you are just about able to get in your rosary daily and can’t imagine adding a “second rosary” with this devotion, break it down for meditation throughout the week. There are seven days of the week and seven sorrows. It would be perfectly acceptable and still beneficial pray one septet daily rather than trying to pray the entire chaplet.
Purchase your Seven Sorrows Chaplet to help you pray through this meditation, or send one as a gift.
Let Us Pray.
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.
Act of Contrition
to acknowledge the fact that our sins add to the sorrows of Our Mother
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all of 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 the help of your grace, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
Hail Mary – repeat 3 times
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Most Merciful Mother
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon
When Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus in the temple, Simeon predicts that a “sword” (of sorrow) will pierce Mary’s soul.
And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.
Luke 2:25-35 DRA
Meditate upon this sorrow of Mary as you pray the following prayers.
Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary – repeat 7 times
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Most Merciful Mother
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Second Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt
When King Herod orders the death of all male children age two or younger, Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt with the infant Jesus.
And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him. Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod: That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Matthew 2:13-15 DRA
Meditate upon this sorrow of Mary as you pray the following prayers.
Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary – repeat 7 times
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Most Merciful Mother
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Third Sorrow: The Child Jesus Lost in the Temple
Mary and Joseph search for the child Jesus for three days, finding Him at last — after agonizing sorrow — in the temple.
And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch, And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day’s journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father’s business? And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them.
Luke 2:21-50 DRA
Meditate upon this sorrow of Mary as you pray the following prayers.
Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary – repeat 7 times
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Most Merciful Mother
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Fourth Sorrow: Mary Meets Jesus Carrying the Cross
As Jesus makes His way to Calvary, condemned to crucifixion, He meets His mother, Mary. He is bruised, ridiculed, cursed and defiled and her sorrow is absolute as Jesus drags His own cross up the hill of His crucifixion.
And there followed him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them, said: Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me; but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For behold, the days shall come, wherein they will say: Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not borne, and the paps that have not given suck.
Luke 23:27-29 DRA
Meditate upon this sorrow of Mary as you pray the following prayers.
Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary – repeat 7 times
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Most Merciful Mother
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Fifth Sorrow: Mary at the Foot of the Cross
Mary stands near her dying Son unable to minister to him as He cries “I thirst.” She hears Him promise heaven to a thief and forgive His enemies. His last words, “Behold your mother,” charge us to look on Mary as our mother.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst. Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar and hyssop, put it to his mouth. Jesus therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated. And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost.
John 19:25-30 DRA
Meditate upon this sorrow of Mary as you pray the following prayers.
Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary – repeat 7 times
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Most Merciful Mother
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Sixth Sorrow: Mary Receives the Body of Jesus
Jesus is taken down from the cross and His body is placed in Mary’s arms. The passion and death are over, but for His mother, grief continues. She holds His body in her arms.
Lord, my heart is not exalted: nor are my eyes lofty. Neither have I walked in great matters, nor in wonderful things above me. If I was not humbly minded, but exalted my soul: As a child that is weaned is towards his mother, so reward in my soul. Let Israel hope in the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever.
Psalm 130 DRA
Meditate upon this sorrow of Mary as you pray the following prayers.
Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary – repeat 7 times
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Most Merciful Mother
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Seventh Sorrow: Mary Witnesses the Burial of Jesus
The body of Jesus is laid in the tomb. The most tragic day in history ends, Mary alone in sorrow, awaiting the Resurrection.
And behold there was a man named Joseph, who was a counsellor, a good and just man, (The same had not consented to their counsel and doings;) of Arimathea, a city of Judea; who also himself looked for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And taking him down, he wrapped him in fine linen, and laid him in a sepulchre that was hewed in stone, wherein never yet any man had been laid. And it was the day of the Parasceve, and the sabbath drew on. And the women that were come with him from Galilee, following after, saw the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And returning, they prepared spices and ointments; and on the sabbath day they rested, according to the commandment.
Luke 23:50-56
Meditate upon this sorrow of Mary as you pray the following prayers.
Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary – repeat 7 times
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Most Merciful Mother
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
repeat 3 times
in honor of Our Lady’s tears
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Mary, who was conceived without sin and who suffered for us, pray for us.
Closing Prayer
Pray for us, Virgin most sorrowful, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Chrst, that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death, whose most holy soul was transfixed with the sword of sorrow in the hour of thine own Passion. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.
Purchase your Seven Sorrows Chaplet to help you pray through this meditation, or send one as a gift.
For women who feel the sorrow of infertility, I would like to recommend a beautiful and fitting companion for this devotion, Waiting with Mary: A Seven Sorrows Devotional for Catholic Women facing Infertility, by Kathryn Wood at The Joyful Leap.
You can purchase a Seven Sorrows Chaplet along with this devotional at a discounted rate here.
Kathryn has also contributed her writing in this article about the devotion.
