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How to Pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary

“Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother…” (John 19:25)

What is the Seven Sorrows Rosary?

The Seven Sorrows Rosary dates back to the Middle Ages when Our Lady of Sorrows appeared to St. Bridget of Sweden and revealed this devotion.  Our Lady promised special graces to those who honor her by daily praying seven Hail Marys while meditating on her tears and sorrows. It is typically prayed using a special seven sorrows rosary with seven groups of seven beads each. 

In recent years, the Seven Sorrows Rosary gained renewed popularity following the Church-approved Marian apparitions in Kibeho, Rwanda in the 1980s. There Our Lady appeared to Marie-Claire Mukangango and gave her the mission of spreading the devotion of the Seven Sorrows Rosary to the world. Marie-Claire was killed in the genocide of over a million people in Rwanda in 1994.

Why pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary?

We all experience suffering, but we are not meant to carry our crosses alone.  Praying the Seven Sorrows Rosary helps us learn from Mary how to remain close to Christ in the face of suffering and hope in the resurrection.  From Mary we can learn how to “suffer with Him (Christ) in order that we may also be glorified with Him” (Romans 8:17).

The Seven Sorrows Rosary is prayed for repentance and conversion.  To one of the visionaries at Kibeho, Our Lady said: "If you say the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows and meditate on it well, you will find the strength you need to repent of your sins and convert your heart. Pray my seven sorrows to find repentance."

Promises of the Seven Sorrows Rosary

Our Lady revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden seven promises for those who honor her by daily praying seven Hail Marys while meditating on her tears and sorrows:

  1.  “I will grant peace to their families.”
  2. “They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.”
  3. “I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.”
  4. “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.”
  5. “I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.”
  6. “I will visibly help them at the moment of their death — they will see the face of their mother.”
  7. “I have obtained this grace from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors [the seven sorrows Mary underwent as the Mother of Jesus] will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.”

What are the Seven Sorrows of Mary?

The seven sorrows of Mary are events in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary in which she experienced deep suffering alongside her Son, as foretold by the Prophet Simeon (Luke 2:35).  

The seven sorrows of Mary include:

  1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34–35)
    2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13)
    3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:43–45)
    4. The Meeting of Jesus on his Way to Calvary (John 19:7)
    5. Standing at the Foot of the Cross (John 19:25)
    6. Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross (Matthew 27:57–59)
    7. The Burial of Jesus (John 19:40–42)

When to pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary?

  • Anytime: The Seven Sorrows Rosary can be prayed anytime, as we are always in need of repentance and conversion of heart.
  • The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15th):  Since the Seven Sorrows Rosary was revealed by Our Lady of Sorrows and helps us meditate on her sufferings, it is fitting to pray on her feast day.
  • The Month of September: The whole month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows and so it is fitting to pray the Rosary of Seven Sorrows during this month.
  • Lent and Advent: It is especially appropriate to pray during penitential seasons, like Lent or Advent, because of Our Lady’s revelation that this devotion disposes us to receive graces of repentance of sin and conversion of heart.
  • Tuesdays and Fridays: When our lady appeared in Kibeho, she asked that the Seven Sorrows Rosary be prayed every Tuesday and Friday. 

How to pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary?

  1. Make the Sign of the Cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

  1. Pray the Introductory Prayer:

My God, I offer You this Rosary for Your glory, so I can honor Your Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin, so I can share and meditate upon her suffering. I humbly beg You to give me true repentance for all my sins. Give me wisdom and humility, so that I may receive all the indulgences contained in this prayer.

  1. Pray an Act of Contrition:

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend You, my God, You Who are all good and deserving of all my love.  I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

  1. On the first three beads, pray three Hail Marys and one Most Merciful Mother Prayer:

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.

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus. 

  1. On the seven sorrow beads , meditate on the following sorrows of Our Lady:
  1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)
  2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:!3-14)
  3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:43-45)
  4. Meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-29)
  5. Jesus' Crucifixion (John 19:25-27)
  6. Mary Receives the Body of Jesus in her Arms (John 19:32-34)
  7. The Burial of Jesus (John 19:41-42)
  1. Repeat at each mystery: 1 Our Father, 7 Hail Marys, 1 Most Merciful Mother Prayer:

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 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.

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus. 

  1. Pray the Closing Prayer: 

Queen of Martyrs, your heart suffered so much. I beg you, by the merits of the tears you shed in these

terrible and sorrowful times, to obtain for me and all the sinners of the world the grace of complete sincerity and repentance. Amen. 

  1. Repeat three times:

Mary, who was conceived without sin and suffered for us, pray for us.

  1. End with the Sign of the Cross.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Related Prayers and Devotions:

How to Pray The Holy Rosary, including:

  • Joyful Mysteries - Rosary for Monday and Rosary for Saturday
  • Sorrowful Mysteries - Rosary for Tuesday
  • Glorious Mysteries - Rosary for Wednesday and Rosary for Sunday
  • Luminous Mysteries - Rosary for Thursday

How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet



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