— Simeon’s prophecy to Mary (Luke 2:35)
This chaplet of the Seven Sorrows is prayed in meditation upon the sufferings of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It begins with the Opening Versicle and a Hail Mary, then moves through each of the seven sorrows with their Scripture, meditation, and a Hail Mary. The devotion closes with a final versicle and prayer. It may be prayed at any hour, but is offered with particular devotion on Fridays and throughout Lent.
I Opening Versicle
Said once, at the beginning.
V. O God, come to my assistance.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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.
II The Seven Sorrows
For each sorrow: read the Scripture, pray the meditation, then one Hail Mary.
The First Sorrow
The Prophecy of Simeon
Scripture — Luke 2:34–35
“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.”
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.
Hail Mary…
The Second Sorrow
The Flight into Egypt
Scripture — Matthew 2:13–14
“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.”
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.
Hail Mary…
The Third Sorrow
The Loss of Jesus in the Temple
Scripture — Luke 2:43–45
“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 kinsfolk and acquaintance. And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him.”
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.
Hail Mary…
The Fourth Sorrow
Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
Scripture — John 19:17; Luke 23:27
“And bearing His own Cross, He went forth to that place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew, Golgotha.” “And there followed Him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented Him.”
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.
Hail Mary…
The Fifth Sorrow
The Crucifixion
Scripture — John 19:25–27
“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.”
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 afflicted heart, obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel.
Hail Mary…
The Sixth Sorrow
Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross
Scripture — John 19:33–34
“But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers with a spear opened His side, and immediately there came out blood and water.”
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 and His Heart was pierced 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.
Hail Mary…
The Seventh Sorrow
The Burial of Jesus
Scripture — John 19:40–42
“They took therefore the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now there was in the place where He was crucified, a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein no man yet had been laid. There, therefore, because of the parasceve of the Jews, they laid 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.
Hail Mary…
III Concluding Prayer
V. Pray for us, O Virgin most sorrowful.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let intercession be made for us, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, now and at the hour of our death, before the throne of Thy mercy, by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, whose most holy soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the hour of Thy bitter Passion. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.
“Let us go to Calvary, carrying the Cross of Jesus by our patience. Let us promise our sorrowful Mother to stand with her at the foot of the Cross.” — St. Alphonsus Liguori
The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary — prayers approved by Pope Pius VII,
collected for the faithful of The Layman's Lantern.