Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows: How to Honor the Seven Sorrows of Mary

With lots of Marian days this week and Our Lady of Sorrows this Friday, I thought I’d pass along this easy devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows for you to try at your next Mass, or when you have a moment of quiet.

I knew a fellow Dominican who had chosen Mary under the title Our Lady of Sorrows as her patron in Religion. She was a mom, and she wanted to remind herself that, as a mom, life is not always sunshine and rainbows. There is something very holy about suffering as a mother.

There are a number of devotions surrounding our Sorrowful Mother, including a chaplet, but the simplest is to meditate on her seven sorrows. You can say one Hail Mary for each sorrow. I used to do this while attending Mass. I don’t recall where I heard that suggestion, but it was fruitful for me and I’m planning to start it again this week.

The Seven Sorrows

1. The prophecy of Simeon
2. The flight into Egypt
3. The Loss of the child Jesus in the temple
4. Mary meets Jesus on the way of the cross
5. Jesus’ crucifixion and death
6. Jesus is taken down from the cross and laid in His mother’s arms
7. Jesus is laid in the tomb

Mary has promised seven graces that follow from daily meditation on her sorrows as well:

1. I will grant peace to their families
2. They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries
3. I will console them in pains and accompany them in work
4. I will give them all they ask as long as it does not oppose the will of my Son or the sanctification of their souls
5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles and protect them at every instant
6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death
7. Those who propagate this devotion to my tears and sorrows will come directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness. All their sins will be forgiven, and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy

Honestly, the devotions of the Church are so powerful. We need to do more of these!

How to Meditate on Our Lady’s Sorrows During Mass

If you want to do this devotion at Mass, I find it helpful to tie each sorrow to a particular part of the Mass to keep on track. Honestly, you could also do them all around the quiet of Communion time as well, though. Seven Hail Marys takes less than five minutes.

• Think about the prophecy of Simeon as the priest, in the person of Christ, walks into the church, just as Jesus appeared in time for “the rise and fall of many.”
• Think about the flight into Egypt during the Old Testament reading, as Jesus was hidden away in history before His incarnation.
• Think about the loss of Jesus in the temple during the Gospel, and how we so often lose Jesus through our sins and neglect even as he tries to speak to us.
• Think about Mary meeting Jesus on the road to Calvary as the priest prepares the gifts, just as Jesus prepared to offer himself once for all on the cross.
• Think about Jesus’ death and crucifixion during the Consecration. Fix your eyes on the Eucharist, and on the crucifix.
• Remember how Jesus was laid in the arms of His Mother as you receive Christ’s body.
• Meditate on Jesus’ burial as you quietly prepare to leave the church, carrying Jesus’ body hidden within you.

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!

Be sure to share this devotion with others.

Find other ideas to celebrate Mary here.