“Pray my seven sorrows to find repentance." (Our Lady of Kibeho)
The month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. Meditating on the Seven Sorrows of Mary can help souls turn to Jesus for healing and hope in the face of suffering, like Our Lady of Sorrows.
Here are seven lessons we can learn from Our Lady’s Seven Sorrows:
- Persevere. (1st Sorrow – Prophecy of Simeon) As the prophet Simeon revealed to Mary that a sword would pierce her heart, she persevered in saying ‘yes’ to the Father’s will, courageously cooperating with God’s plan of salvation.
- Listen. (2nd Sorrow – Flight into Egypt) Despite difficulties, the Holy Family listened to God’s instruction to flee to Egypt, and by their obedience found safety from Herod’s attempts to destroy the Christ child.
- Seek With All Your Heart. (3rd Sorrow – Loss of Jesus) Scripture records that Mary searched anxiously for Jesus, ultimately finding Him in the Temple. We too, should seek Christ in the midst of suffering, trusting God’s words that, “When you seek me, you will find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
- Accompany. (4th Sorrow – Mary Meets Jesus on His Way to Calvary) As Jesus carried His cross to Calvary, Mary accompanied him on the way. When we see others suffering, we can offer our presence in their pain, and invite Christ and Mary to accompany us in our trials as well.
- Pray & Receive the Sacraments. (5th Sorrow – Standing at the Foot of the Cross) As Jesus was nailed to the Cross, Mary didn’t abandon Him or hide, she remained close to her Son at the foot of His cross. We, too, can remain close to Christ through prayer and the Sacraments in the midst of our trials.
- Honor & Support. (6th Sorrow – Jesus is Taken Down From the Cross) As Jesus was taken down from the Cross, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus cared for Christ’s body after his death, anointing Him with myrrh, aloe and spices, wrapping Him in linen. We can show honor and support to those who are suffering by tending to their bodily and spiritual needs - bringing meals, visiting, and praying for them.
- Never Give Up Hope. (7th Sorrow - The Burial of Jesus) As they laid Jesus in the tomb, Mary waited with hope in the resurrection. Even when all seems lost, we can ask God to increase our hope that Christ will bring healing and resurrection out of suffering.
Seven Sorrows of Mary Rosary
In the midst of suffering, meditate on the Seven Sorrows of Mary with the Seven Sorrows Combat Rosary™. The Seven Sorrows of Mary Rosary dates back to the Middle Ages and honors Our Lady of Sorrows by praying Hail Marys and other prayers while meditating on the Seven Sorrows of Mary. The Seven Sorrows of Mary Rosary, also called the Our Lady of Sorrows Rosary or Seven Sorrows Chaplet, is typically prayed using a special rosary with seven groups of seven beads each.
With beautiful medals which depict the Seven Sorrows of Mary and sturdy beads to lead you through the prayers, the Seven Sorrows Combat Rosary™ is a powerful tool to help you learn from Our Lady of Sorrows to find hope and healing in her Son.
To learn more about this powerful devotion, check out “How to Pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary” and take up your cross like Our Lady of Sorrows this September.
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!
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