September is dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. In a unique way, we honor and remember the sufferings Mary endured as Mother of Jesus. By uniting ourselves to her sufferings we draw close to the sufferings of Christ which can help us endure our daily struggles.
What are the Seven Sorrows of Mary?
- First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon
- Second Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt
- Third Sorrow: The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple.
- Fourth Sorrow: Mary Meets Jesus on His Way to the Cross
- Fifth Sorrow: The Crucifixion
- Sixth Sorrow: The Taking Down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross
- Seventh Sorrow: Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb
What is the Seven Sorrows Devotion?
The Seven Sorrows Devotion is a meditation on the Seven Sorrows of Mary. It can take two forms: The Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary or an 1815 prayer written by Pope Pius VII. The Chaplet (or Rosary) of the Seven Sorrows centers around an Our Father and seven Hail Marys for each of the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Full instructions can be found here. The 1815 prayer can be found here.
What graces flow from a devotion to the Seven Sorrows?
According to Saint Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373), Our Lady promised seven graces for those who daily meditate on her Seven Sorrows:
- 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.
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!
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