Seven Sorrows Rosary

Explanation of the Seven Sorrows Rosary

The Seven Sorrows Rosary is a deeply spiritual devotion in the Catholic faith that focuses on the sorrows endured by the Blessed Virgin Mary throughout her life.

This is different from the traditional rosary, the Seven Sorrows Rosary consists of seven sets of seven Hail Mary Prayers, each set dedicated to one of Mary’s seven sorrows. Where the traditional rosary has five sets of ten Hail Mary Prayers, each dedicated to the mysteries of Jesus and Mary's life. 

This form of prayer invites us to meditate on the suffering and unwavering faith of Mary. It can provide a way to deepen our spiritual growth and understanding and connect us to the passion of Christ.

What are the Seven Sorrows

  • The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35) This is depicted in the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary known as the Presentation.

    Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the Temple to be consecrated to the Lord and offer a sacrifice. Simeon who already had the holy spirit upon him was awaiting a consolation of Israel. Simeon took the baby Jesus into his arms and blessed God. Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph then saying to Mary that Jesus would be "a sign that will be contradicted" and that a sword would pierce Mary’s soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
  • The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)

    Shortly after Jesus' birth, King Herod sought to kill Him, forcing Mary and Joseph to flee with their child to Egypt. This event reflects the fear and displacement Mary felt as she protected her young Son from imminent danger.
  • The Loss of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-50) This is depicted in the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary known as Finding Jesus in the temple.

    At the age of twelve, Jesus remained in the Temple, discussing with the teachers, while Mary and Joseph unknowingly left for home. Upon realizing He was missing, they searched for three days before finding Him. This sorrow highlights Mary's anguish and anxiety during the separation from her Son.
  • Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17) This you can experience in the 4th Station of the Cross where Jesus meets His mother.

    As Jesus carried His cross to Golgotha, He encountered His sorrowful mother along the way. This meeting was a moment of shared suffering and a profound manifestation of Mary’s compassion and solidarity with Jesus in His Passion.
  • The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30) Experience this scene both in the 11th Station of the Cross where Jesus is Nailed to the Cross and the 12th Station of the Cross where Jesus dies on the Cross.

    Mary stood at the foot of the cross, witnessing the agony and death of her beloved Son. This is the pinnacle of her sorrow, as she watched Jesus suffer and die in fulfillment of His mission to redeem humanity.
  • The Body of Jesus Being Taken Down from the Cross (John 19:31-34) You can experience this scene in the 13th Station of the Cross where Jesus is taken down from the cross.

    After Jesus' death, His lifeless body was taken down from the cross and placed in Mary’s arms. This sorrowful moment underscores the depth of Mary’s grief as she held her dead Son.
  • The Burial of Jesus (John 19:40-42) - You can also experience this scene in the 14th Station of the Cross where Jesus is laid in the sepulcher.

    Mary accompanied the body of Jesus to the tomb, laying Him to rest. This final sorrow reflects the desolation Mary felt as she bid farewell to her Son and awaited His promised resurrection.


The Pieta

Lisbon Pieta

Jesus is taken down from the Cross and placed into the arms of His mother Mary.
Receive me into your arms, O Sorrowful Mother, and obtain for me and obtain for me perfect contrition for my sins

How do we pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary

LEARN TO PRAY THIS ROSARY WITH VISUAL PHOTOS
Seven Sorrows of Mary Rosary

Begin with the Sign of the Cross.

Act of Contrition: "O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen."

First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon
Pray an Our Father. Pray seven Hail Mary's while meditating on the sorrow of the Prophecy of Simeon. "I grieve for thee, O Mary most sorrowful, in the affliction of thy tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon. Dear Mother, by thy heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the holy fear of God. Amen."

Second Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt
Pray an Our Father. Pray seven Hail Mary's while meditating on the sorrow of the Flight into Egypt. "I grieve for thee, O Mary most sorrowful, in the anguish of thy most affectionate heart during the flight into Egypt and thy sojourn there. Dear Mother, by thy heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of generosity, especially toward the poor, and the gift of piety. Amen."

Third Sorrow: The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
Pray an Our Father. Pray seven Hail Mary's while meditating on the sorrow of the Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple."I grieve for thee, O Mary most sorrowful, in those anxieties which tried thy troubled heart at the loss of thy dear Jesus. Dear Mother, by thy heart so full of anguish, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge. Amen."

Fourth Sorrow: Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
Pray an Our Father. Pray seven Hail Mary's while meditating on the sorrow of Mary meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary."I grieve for thee, O Mary most sorrowful, in the consternation of thy heart at meeting Jesus as He carried His Cross. Dear Mother, by thy heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude. Amen."

Fifth Sorrow: The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
Pray an Our Father. Pray seven Hail Mary's while meditating on the sorrow of the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus."I grieve for thee, O Mary most sorrowful, in the martyrdom which thy generous heart endured in standing near Jesus in His agony. Dear Mother, by thy heart afflicted in such measure, obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel. Amen."

Sixth Sorrow: The Body of Jesus Being Taken Down from the Cross
Pray an Our Father. Pray seven Hail Mary's while meditating on the sorrow of the Body of Jesus being taken down from the Cross."I grieve for thee, O Mary most sorrowful, in the wounding of thy compassionate heart when the side of Jesus was struck by the lance before His body was removed from the Cross. Dear Mother, by thy heart thus transfixed, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding. Amen."

Seventh Sorrow: The Burial of Jesus
Pray an Our Father. Pray seven Hail Mary's while meditating on the sorrow of the Burial of Jesus."I grieve for thee, O Mary most sorrowful, for the pangs that wrenched thy most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. Dear Mother, by thy heart sunk in the bitterness of desolation, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom. Amen."

Concluding Prayers:
Pray three Hail Mary's in honor of the tears of Our Sorrowful Mother.
Conclude with the prayer: "Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us."

A few reasons to see what happens if you try

If you are here reading this page, then you are looking for a deeper meaning of faith and understanding.

By meditating on the sorrows of Mary allows you to develop a greater sense of empathy and compassion. By reflecting on the grief and suffering that Mary experienced, you can cultivate a more compassionate heart, both for their own struggles and those of others.

The Seven Sorrows Rosary encourages personal reflection on suffering and the ways it can lead to spiritual growth. It could offer a way to help us understand and accept one's own sorrows in light of Mary’s example. Which from my own personal experience provide strength and courage to face life's challenges with faith and resilience.

Take into consideration that this devotion of praying the seven sorrows is deeply intertwined with the Passion of Christ. These are Mary's sorrows that are directly connected to the suffering of Jesus. By us taking the time to meditate on these sorrows helps us develop a deeper understanding of the Passion of Christ.

The point of this website is pointing out connections between the traditional rosary mysteries, stations of the cross and devotional rosary or some may call chaplets. The interconnections of these mysteries help us develop a closer relationship with Christ and the shared experiences of His mother.

By doing these prayers or devoting time contemplating the mysteries changes us. By my own experience of having delved into a deeper study I have discovered my own transfiguration.

The Seven Sorrows Rosary is a powerful and enriching devotion that invites Catholics and non-Catholics to meditate deeply on the suffering of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through this prayer, believers can grow in empathy, spiritual strength, and a deeper understanding of the Passion of Christ.

It offers an opportunity to seek Mary's intercession, find healing and consolation, and strengthen one's devotion to her. For those looking to deepen their spiritual life, the Seven Sorrows Rosary provides a profound path to reflect on the mysteries of faith and connect more intimately with the compassionate heart of Mary.

By embracing this devotion, Catholics and non-Catholics can draw closer to the heart of the Blessed Mother and find guidance and support in their own journey of faith.