Seven Sorrows of Our Lady

Our Lord gave the Franciscan Tertiary, Berthe Petit, the mission to obtain the Consecration of the whole world to the SORROWFUL AND IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY. Our Lord said to her: “The world must be dedicated to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of My Mother, as it is dedicated to Mine. Fear nothing, no matter what suffering or obstacles you may meet. Think only of fulfilling My will.” (...) “Cause My Mother’s Heart—transfixed by the sorrows which rent Mine—to be loved.” Jesus said to her: “You must think of My Mother’s Heart when you think of Mine; live in this Heart as you would in Mine; give yourself to this Heart as you would to Mine. You must foster love for this Heart, so wholly one with Mine.” On Easter Sunday she heard these words: “What I desire derives from what I did on Calvary. In giving John to My Mother for her Son, I confided to her the Sorrowful and Immaculate Maternity of the whole world.”

THREE LITANIES TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS

LITANY OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS (no. 1)
(For private use only)

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, conceived without sin, Pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, Pray for us.
Mother of Christ, Pray for us.
Mother of Our Savior Crucified, Pray for us.
Mother most Sorrowful, Pray for us.
Mother most tearful, Pray for us.
Mother most afflicted, Pray for us.
Mother most lonely, Pray for us.
Mother most desolate, Pray for us.
Mother pierced by the sword of sorrow, Pray for us.
Queen of martyrs, Pray for us.
Comfort of the sorrowful, Pray for us.
Help of the needy, Pray for us.
Protectress of the forsaken, Pray for us.
Support of widows and orphans, Pray for us.
Health of the sick, Pray for us.
Hope of the troubled, Pray for us.
Haven of the ship-wrecked, Pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, Pray for us.
Hope of the despairing, Pray for us.
Mother of mercy, Pray for us.

Through thy poverty in the stable of Bethlehem,
Have mercy on us.
Through thy sorrow at the prophecy of Simeon,
Have mercy on us.
Through thy sad flight into Egypt,
Have mercy on us.
Through thy anxiety when seeking thy lost Child,
Have mercy on us.
Through thy grief when seeing thy divine Son persecuted,
Have mercy on us.
Through thy fear and anxiety when Jesus was apprehended,
Have mercy on us.
Through thy pain caused by the treason of Judas and the denial of Peter,
Have mercy on us.
Through thy sad meeting with Jesus on the way of the Cross,
Have mercy on us.
Through the tortures of thy loving Heart at the Crucifixion of Jesus, Have mercy on us.
Through thy agony at the death of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Through the sword of sorrow that pierced thy heart when the side of Jesus was transfixed by the lance,
Have mercy on us.
Through thy lamentations over the dead Body of thy divine Son lying on thy bosom,
Have mercy on us.
Through thy deep mourning at His tomb,
Have mercy on us.
Through thy desolation after the burial of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Through the tears thou didst shed for thy beloved Son,
Have mercy on us.
Through thy wonderful resignation to the will of God in all thy sufferings,
Have mercy on us.

O Queen of peace, Have mercy on us.
In all our tribulations, Have mercy on us.
In our illnesses and pains, Have mercy on us.
In our sorrows and afflictions, Have mercy on us.
In our need and destitution, Have mercy on us.
In our fears and dangers, Have mercy on us.
In the hour of our death, Have mercy on us.
On the Day of Judgment, Have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us, O Lord.

V. Pray for us, O Sorrowful Virgin
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

Let us pray:
We beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, let Thy Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose holy soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow at the hour of Thy Passion, implore Thy mercy for us, both now and at the hour of our death, Who livest and reignest, world without end. R. Amen.

LITANY OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS (no. 2)
(For private use only)

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us..
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, Pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, Pray for us.
Mother crucified, Pray for us.
Mother sorrowful, Pray for us.
Mother tearful, Pray for us.
Mother afflicted, Pray for us.
Mother forsaken, Pray for us.
Mother desolate, Pray for us.
Mother bereft of thy Child, Pray for us.
Mother transfixed with the sword, Pray for us.
Mother consumed with grief, Pray for us.
Mother filled with anguish, Pray for us.
Mother crucified in heart, Pray for us.
Mother most sad, Pray for us.

Fountain of tears, Pray for us.
Abyss of suffering, Pray for us.
Mirror of patience, Pray for us.
Rock of constancy, Pray for us.
Anchor of confidence, Pray for us.
Refuge of the forsaken, Pray for us.
Shield of the oppressed, Pray for us.
Subduer of the unbelieving, Pray for us.
Comfort of the afflicted, Pray for us.
Medicine of the sick, Pray for us.
Strength of the weak, Pray for us.
Harbor of the wrecked, Pray for us.
Allayer of tempests, Pray for us.
Solace of mourners, Pray for us.
Terror of the treacherous, Pray for us.
Treasure of the faithful, Pray for us.
Eye of the Prophets, Pray for us.
Staff of the Apostles, Pray for us.
Crown of martyrs, Pray for us.
Light of confessors, Pray for us.
Pearl of virgins, Pray for us.
Consolation of widows, Pray for us.
Joy of all saints, Pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

Look down upon us, deliver us, and save us from all trouble, in the power of Jesus Christ. Amen.

V. Pray for us most Sorrowful Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Imprint, O Sorrowful Mother, thy wounds upon my heart, that I may read therein sorrow and love—sorrow to endure every sorrow for thee; love, to despise every love for thee. R. Amen.

The above litany was written in Latin by Pope Pius VII in 1809 during his captivity under Napoleon Bonaparte.

LITANY OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS (no. 3)
(For private use only)

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Mother of Sorrows, Pray for us.
Mother whose soul was pierced by the sword, Pray for us.
Mother who fled with Jesus into Egypt, Pray for us.
Mother who sought Him sorrowing for three days, Pray for us.
Mother who saw Him scourged and crowned with thorns, Pray for us.
Mother who stood by Him while He hung upon the Cross, Pray for us.
Mother who received Him into thine arms when He was dead, Pray for us.
Mother who saw Him buried in the tomb, Pray for us.

O Mary, Queen of Martyrs, Save us by thy prayers.
O Mary, comfort of the sorrowful, Save us by thy prayers.
O Mary, help of the weak, Save us by thy prayers.
O Mary, strength of the fearful, Save us by thy prayers.
O Mary, light of the despondent, Save us by thy prayers.
O Mary, nursing mother of the sick, Save us by thy prayers.
O Mary, refuge of sinners, Save us by thy prayers.
Through the bitter Passion of thy Son, Save us by thy prayers.
Through the piercing anguish of thy heart, Save us by thy prayers.
Through thy heavy weight of woe, Save us by thy prayers.
Through thy sadness and desolation, Save us by thy prayers.
Through thy maternal pity, Save us by thy prayers.
Through thy perfect resignation, Save us by thy prayers.
Through thy meritorious prayers, Save us by thy prayers.
From immoderate sadness, Save us by thy prayers.
From a cowardly spirit, Save us by thy prayers.
From an impatient temper, Save us by thy prayers.
From fretfulness and discontent, Save us by thy prayers.
From sullenness and gloom, Save us by thy prayers.
From despair and unbelief, Save us by thy prayers.
From final impenitence, Save us by thy prayers.

We sinners, beseech thee, hear us.
Preserve us from sudden death, We beseech thee, hear us.
Teach us how to die, We beseech thee, hear us.
Succor us in our last agony, We beseech thee, hear us.
Guard us from the enemy, We beseech thee, hear us.
Bring us to a happy end, We beseech thee, hear us.
Gain for us the gift of perseverance, We beseech thee, hear us.
Aid us before the Judgment Seat, We beseech thee, hear us.
Mother of God, We beseech thee, hear us.
Mother, most sorrowful, We beseech thee, hear us.
Mother, most desolate, We beseech thee, hear us..

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

V. Help us, Most Sorrowful Mother of God
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

Let us pray:
O Lord Jesus Christ, God and Man, grant, we beseech Thee, that Thy dear Mother Mary, whose soul the sword pierced in the hour of Thy Passion, may intercede for us, now and in the hour of our death, through Thine own merits, O Saviour of the world, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

PRAYER TO THE MOTHER OF SORROWS

Mary, most holy Virgin and Queen of Martyrs, accept the sincere homage of my childlike love. Into thy heart, pierced by so many swords, welcome my poor soul. Receive it as the companion of thy sorrows, at the foot of the Cross, on which Jesus died for the redemption of the world. With thee, sorrowful Virgin, I will gladly suffer all the trials, sufferings, and afflictions, which it shall please our Lord to send me. I offer them all to thee in memory of thy sorrows, so that every thought of my mind and every beat of my heart may be an act of compassion and of love for thee. Sweet Mother, have pity on me, reconcile me to thy divine Son, Jesus, keep me in His grace and assist me in my last agony, so that I may meet thee in heaven and sing thy praises. Amen.

(Indulgence of 500 days; Raccolta, no. 384)

PRAYER TO OUR LADY

O Mother of Mercy, Help of Christians, most faithful minister of Divine Providence, treasurer of all graces, remember that never in the world has it been heard that thou hast left him without comfort who has come to thee with true devotion. Wherefore, I, trusting in thy tender pity and in thy most generous providence, bend low before thee, praying that thou wouldst hear my prayer.

Obtain for me a holy provision for the future, namely, graces for all my spiritual and temporal needs. I fervently recommend to thy loving motherly Heart our Holy Church, the Sovereign Pontiff, the conversion of sinners, the spread of the Catholic faith and those Souls chosen by Our Lord, who are suffering the tormenting flames of Purgatory, that they may soon be comforted with eternal refreshment. Amen.

OFFERING OF THE MERITS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN TO APPEASE DIVINE JUSTICE

In order to appease Thy Divine Justice, we offer Thee, O Lord, the merits acquired by Mary, Thy Mother and ours, when she stood at the foot of the Cross. If Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, Lord, who shall abide it?

Many favors have been obtained by reciting the above “Offering.”

ROSARY IN HONOR OF THE SEVEN SORROWS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

V. Incline unto my aid, O Lord.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As is was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

1. SIMEON'S PROPHECY

I am filled with compassion for thee, most Sorrowful Mother, for that affliction which thy tender heart suffered at the time of the prophecy of the holy old man, Simeon.
O dear Mother, by thy heart thus afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility, and the gift of the fear of God.

Our Father...7 Hail Marys...Glory Be...
Most Sorrowful Heart of Mary, pray for us!

2. FLIGHT INTO EGYPT

I am filled with compassion for thee, most Sorrowful Mother, for those bitter pangs which thy most feeling heart suffered in thy flight and stay in Egypt.
O dear Mother, by thy heart immersed in so great sorrows, obtain for me the virtue of generosity, especially towards the poor, and the gift of piety.

Our Father...7 Hail Marys...Glory Be....
Most Sorrowful Heart of Mary, pray for us!

3. LOSS OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE

I am filled with compassion for thee, most Sorrowful Mother, for those griefs which thy loving heart experienced in the loss of thy beloved Son.
O dear Mother, by thy heart filled with maternal anxieties, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge.

Our Father...7 Hail Marys...Glory Be...
Most Sorrowful Heart of Mary, pray for us!

4. MEETING JESUS ON THE WAY OF THE CROSS

I am filled with compassion for thee, most Sorrowful Mother, for that sorrow which oppressed thy maternal heart, in meeting Jesus carrying His Cross.
O dear Mother, by thy most loving heart, so much afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude.

Our Father...7 Hail Marys...Glory Be...
Most Sorrowful Heart of Mary, pray for us!

5. THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS

I am filled with compassion for thee, most Sorrowful Mother, for that martyrdom which thy generous heart sustained, in seeing Jesus dying on the Cross in agony.
O dear Mother, by thy heart undergoing so severe a martyrdom, obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel.

Our Father...7 Hail Marys...Glory Be....
Most Sorrowful Heart of Mary, pray for us!

6. RECEIVING THE DEAD BODY OF JESUS IN HER ARMS

I am filled with compassion for thee, most Sorrowful Mother, for those pangs which thine afflicted heart endured, when the lance pierced the side of Jesus, and wounded His most amiable Heart and confirmed His death.
O dear Mother, by thy heart transfixed, in receiving the precious Body of thy Son from the cross, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding.

Our Father...7 Hail Marys...Glory Be...
Most Sorrowful Heart of Mary, pray for us!

7. THE BURIAL OF JESUS

I am filled with compassion for thee, most Sorrowful Mother, for that anguish which thy loving heart experienced in the burial of Jesus.
O dear Mother, by thy sacred heart, thus steeped in bitter grief, obtain for me the virtue of diligence, and the gift of wisdom.

Our Father...7 Hail Marys...Glory Be...
Most Sorrowful Heart of Mary, pray for us!

V. Pray for us, O most Sorrowful Virgin,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
We beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the Blessed Virgin Mary whose heart at the time of Thy passion was pierced through with the sword of sorrow, may intercede for us before the throne of mercy, now and at the hour of our death; who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.

PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWS OF
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

O most holy and afflicted Virgin! Queen of Martyrs! Thou who didst stand motionless beneath the Cross, witnessing the agony of thy expiring Son—through the unceasing sufferings of thy life of sorrow, and the bliss which now more than amply repays thee for thy past trials, look down with a mother’s tenderness and pity on me, who kneel before thee to venerate thy Sorrows, and place my requests, with filial confidence, in the sanctuary of thy wounded heart; present them, I beseech thee, on my behalf, to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred death and passion, together with thy sufferings at the foot of the cross, and through the united efficacy of both obtain the grant of my present petition.

To whom shall I resort in my wants and miseries if not to thee, O Mother of Mercy, who, having so deeply drunk of the chalice of thy Son, canst compassionate the woes of those who still sigh in the land of exile?

Offer for me to my Savior one drop of the Blood which flowed from His sacred veins, one of the tears which trickled from His divine eyes, one of the sighs which rent His adorable Heart. O refuge of the universe and hope of the whole world, do not reject my humble prayer, but graciously obtain the grant of my petition.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS

Most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, holy Queen of Martyrs and spotless Virgin, would that I could be in Heaven with thee; there to contemplate the honors rendered to thee by the Most Holy Trinity and by the whole Heavenly Court! But since I am still a pilgrim in this valley of tears, receive from me, thy unworthy servant and a poor sinner, the most sincere homage and the most perfect act of vassalage and devotion that a human creature can offer thee.

I consecrate myself to thy Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, pierced with so many swords of sorrow, and place my poor soul therein forever. Receive me as a partaker in thy Sorrows, and never suffer that I should depart from that Cross on which thy only begotten Son expired for me and which He wishes to share with me. With thee, O Mary, I will endure all the sufferings, persecutions, adversities, failures, contradictions and infirmities, with which it will please thy Divine Son to visit me in this life.

All of them I offer to thee, in memory of the Sorrows which thou didst suffer during thy life, that every thought of my mind, every beating of my heart may henceforward be an act of compassion to thy Sorrows, and of delight for the glory thou now enjoyest in Heaven.

Since then, O Dear Mother, I now meditate thy Sorrows, and rejoice in seeing thee glorified, do thou also have compassion on me, and reconcile me to thy Son Jesus, that I may become thy true and loyal son (daughter); come on my last day and assist me in my last agony at the hour death, even as thou wert present at the Agony of thy Divine Son Jesus, that from this painful exile I may go to Heaven, there to be made partaker of thy glory. Amen.

OUR LADY, COMFORTER OF THE AFFLICTED

O Sorrowful and Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most compassionate Mother, we present ourselves in thy sight in all humility, and with full confidence we implore thee for thy maternal patronage.

Thou hast been proclaimed by Holy Church the Comforter of the Afflicted, and to thee constant recourse is had by the sorrowful in their afflictions, the sick in their maladies, the dying in their agony, the poor in their straitened circumstances, those who stand in all manner of need in both public and private calamities; and from thee they all receive consolation and strength.

Our dearest Mother, turn upon us also, wretched sinners that we are, thy merciful eyes, and graciously accept our humble and confident prayers. Aid us in all our spiritual and temporal necessities, deliver us from all evil and especially from sin, which is the greatest evil, and from all danger of falling into it; obtain for us from thy Son Jesus every blessing of which thou seest we stand in need both in soul and body, and especially the greatest blessing of all, which is Divine grace.

Comfort our spirits, troubled and afflicted in the midst of the many dangers that threaten us, and the countless miseries and misfortunes that beset us on every side. This we ask through that immense joy which filled thy pure soul in the glorious Resurrection of thy Divine Son.

Obtain tranquility for Holy Church, help and comfort for her visible Head, the Sovereign Pontiff, peace for Christian princes, refreshment in their pains for the Holy Souls in Purgatory; for sinners, the forgiveness of their sins, and for the just, perseverance in well-doing. Receive us all, our most tender Mother, under thy loving and mighty protection, that we may be enabled to live virtuously, die holily and attain to everlasting happiness in Heaven. Amen.

PRAYER FOR A HAPPY DEATH

O Mother of Sorrows, by the anguish and love with which thou didst stand beside the Cross of Jesus, stand by me in my last agony. To thy maternal heart I commend the three last hours of my life. Offer these hours to the Eternal Father in union with the agony of our dearest Lord. Offer frequently to the Eternal Father, in atonement for my sins, the Precious Blood of Jesus, mingled with thy tears on Calvary, to obtain for me the grace to receive Holy Communion with most perfect love and contrition before my death, and to breathe forth my soul in the actual presence of Jesus.

Dearest Mother, when the moment of my death has come, present me as thy child to Jesus; say to Him in my behalf: “Son, forgive him, for he knew not what he did. Receive him this day into Thy kingdom.”

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS
By St. Bridget

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Immaculate Mother of God, who didst endure a martyrdom of love and grief, beholding the sufferings and sorrows of Jesus! Thou didst cooperate in the benefit of my redemption by thy innumerable afflictions and by offering to the Eternal Father His only-begotten Son as a holocaust and victim of propitiation for my sins.

I thank thee for the unspeakable love which led thee to deprive thyself of the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus, true God and true Man, to save me, a sinner. Oh! make use of the unfailing intercession of thy sorrows with the Father and the Son, that I may steadfastly amend my life and never again crucify my loving Redeemer by new sins; and that, persevering till death in His grace, I may obtain eternal life through the merits of His Cross and Passion. Amen.
Mother of love, of sorrow, and of mercy, pray for us.

PRAYER TO CHRIST

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, whose most holy soul was transfixed with the sword of sorrow in the hour of Thy Own Passion, may intercede for us before the throne of Mercy, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Imprint, O Lady, thy wounds upon my heart, that I may read therein sorrow and love; sorrow, to endure every sorrow for thee; love, to despise every love for thee. Amen.

PRAYER TO MARY

Mary, most holy Virgin and Queen of Martyrs, accept the sincere homage of my filial affection. Into thy Heart, pierced by so many swords, do thou welcome my poor soul. Receive it as the companion of thy sorrows at the foot of the Cross, on which Jesus died for the redemption of the world. With thee, O sorrowful Virgin, I will gladly suffer all the trials, contradictions, and infirmities which it shall please Our Lord to send me. I offer them all to thee in memory of thy sorrows, so that: every thought of my mind and every beat of my heart may be an act of compassion and of love for thee. And do thou, sweet Mother, have pity on me, reconcile me to thy Divine Son, Jesus; keep me in His grace and assist me in my last agony, so that I may be able to meet thee in Heaven and sing thy glories.

Most holy Virgin and Mother, whose soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the Passion of thy Divine Son, and who in His glorious Resurrection wast filled with never ending joy at His triumph, obtain for us who call upon thee, so to be partakers in the adversities of Holy Church and the Sorrows of the Sovereign Pontiff, as to be found worthy to rejoice with them in the consolations for which we pray, in the charity and peace of the same Christ our Lord. Amen.