Unlike a traditional five-decade Rosary, the Seven Sorrows Rosary has seven sets of prayers, each focused on one of Mary’s sorrows.
Before You Begin:
- Make the Sign of the Cross.
- Pray the Introductory Prayer:
“O my God, I offer You this Rosary for Your glory, so that I may honor Your Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin, and share in her suffering. I humbly beg You to give me true repentance for all my sins. Amen.” - Pray One Our Father and Seven Hail Marys for each sorrow.
The Seven Sorrows of Mary:
For each sorrow, meditate on the moment, imagining Mary’s experience, and then pray one Our Father and seven Hail Marys.
1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
Can you imagine holding your newborn baby while someone tells you that immense suffering awaits? That’s what Mary experienced when Simeon prophesied that Jesus would be rejected and that a sword would pierce her own heart.
🙌 Ask Mary for the grace to trust God’s plan, even when it’s hard.
2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
Shortly after Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph had to flee to Egypt to protect their Son from King Herod’s massacre of innocent children. They became refugees, escaping in the middle of the night, far from home.
🙌 Pray for those who feel lost, displaced, or afraid.
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-50)
For three days, Mary and Joseph searched for 12-year-old Jesus, filled with panic and grief. Any mother who has momentarily lost sight of her child in a crowd knows this fear!
🙌 Ask for the grace to seek Jesus with your whole heart.
4. Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31)
Imagine locking eyes with your son as He carries a heavy cross, battered and bloody, knowing He’s walking toward His death. Mary saw her Son suffering, and she could do nothing but be present.
🙌 Ask Mary to help you stay faithful to Jesus, even in suffering.
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)
Mary stood at the foot of the Cross, watching Jesus struggle for breath, hearing the crowd mock Him, witnessing His final words. Yet, she stayed.
🙌 Pray for the grace to remain with Jesus, even when your faith is tested.
6. The Body of Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross (Luke 23:50-54)
Mary received her Son’s lifeless body in her arms. She held Him as a newborn and held Him again in death.
🙌 Ask Mary to help you embrace the will of God, even when it breaks your heart.
7. The Burial of Jesus (Luke 23:55-56)
Mary watched as Jesus’ body was laid in the tomb. Hope seemed lost. But she still believed in God’s promises.
🙌 Pray for faith in times of darkness, trusting that Easter Sunday always follows Good Friday.
Closing Prayers:
After the seven sorrows, pray three Hail Marys in honor of Mary’s tears. Then, pray this closing prayer:
“Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.”