Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows
September 6 – 14
(via Sensus Fidelium)
September 6
Devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary
Preparatory Prayer (to be said each day)
Bid me bear, O Mother blessed,
On my heart the wounds impressed
Suffered by the Crucified!
Meditation
From the dolorous way of Our Lord’s passion Holy Church selected fourteen incidents to place before us for consideration, which are called the Stations of the Cross. In the same manner the pious devotion of the faithful selected seven events in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and gives itself to their religious contemplation. They are: (1) Simeon’s prophecy in the Temple; (2) the flight into Egypt with the divine Child; (3) the loss of the divine Child at Jerusalem; (4) Mary’s meeting with her Son bearing the cross; (5) Mary beneath the cross; (6) Mary receives the body of her Son from the cross; (7) the placing of Jesus’ body in the tomb.
Practice
“Forget not the sorrows of thy mother.” (Ecclus. vii. 29) According to this exhortation of Holy Scripture it is our duty to remember and meditate often on the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We ought never to forget that our sins were the cause of the sufferings and death of Jesus, and therefore also of the sorrows of Mary.
Holy Church celebrates two feasts in honor of the sorrows of Mary; she approved of the Rosary and of many other devotions in honor of the Seven Dolors, and enriched them with numerous indulgences. Let us practice these devotions to enkindle in our hearts a true and ardent love for our sorrowful Mother.
Prayer of the Church
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the most blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of Thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death, through whose most holy soul, in the hour of Thine own passion, the sword of sorrow passed. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen.
Servite Rosary
Learn how to pray here
Ejaculation
Mother of Sorrows, queen of martyrs, pray for us!
Let us pray.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, that we may be helped by the merits of Thy most holy Mother’s spouse; that what of ourselves we can not obtain may be given us through his intercession. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
September 7
First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon
Preparatory Prayer
Bid me bear, O Mother blessed,
On my heart the wounds impressed
Suffered by the Crucified!
Meditation
Forty days after the birth of our divine Savior, Mary His Mother fulfilled the law of Moses by offering Him to His divine Father in the Temple. “And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Ghost was in Him. And he received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when His parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he also took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: Now dost Thou dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word, in peace; because my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples. A light to the revelation of the gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel. And His father and mother were wondering at these things which were spoken concerning Him. 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.” (Luke ii. 25-35)
Practice
Mary was familiar with the predictions of the prophets and knew that ignominy, sorrow, and suffering would be her divine Son’s portion throughout His earthly career. But to have this secret of her anxious soul thus publicly and solemnly declared by Simeon, was a sharp thrust of that seven-edged sword which was to pierce her loving heart. In spirit she viewed that boundless, surging sea of trials, pain, and death on which her Son was to be tossed about, and was willing to be engulfed in its bitter waters. Her affliction would have scarcely been greater had the death sentence of her divine Son been pronounced then and there and put into execution. What a sorrow, what an affliction, what a trial for such a tender Mother! Well might she exclaim with the Royal Prophet: “My life is wasted with grief, and my years in sighs.” (Ps. xxx. 11) Let us often contemplate this sorrow, and excite our hearts to a tender compassion with the Mother of Sorrows.
Prayer of the Church
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the most blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of Thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death, through whose most holy soul, in the hour of Thine own passion, the sword of sorrow passed. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen.
Servite Rosary
Learn how to pray here
Ejaculation
Mother of Sorrows, queen of martyrs, pray for us!
Let us pray.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, that we may be helped by the merits of Thy most holy Mother’s spouse; that what of ourselves we cannot obtain may be given us through his intercession. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
September 8
Second Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt
Preparatory Prayer
Bid me bear, O Mother blessed,
On my heart the wounds impressed
Suffered by the Crucified!
Meditation
For the second time the sword of sorrow pierced Mary’s heart when she was commanded to fly into Egypt with her divine Child. Without manifesting undue perplexity or discontent, she hastily gathered a few necessaries for the journey, while St. Joseph saddled the beast of burden. Then taking the infant Jesus into her arms and pressing Him to her throbbing heart, the holy pilgrims set forth into the cold, starry night, away to a foreign land, through the trackless desert, and into a heathen country. Arrived in Egypt, the experience of Bethlehem was renewed; no one gave them shelter.
Practice
During this second great sorrow, what was Mary’s behavior? She was content to fulfill the will of God; she did not ask for reasons, or complain of the fatigues of the journey, but preserved her peace of heart amid all the trials of this severe probation. She is poor, but her poverty does not render her unhappy or querulous. If God sends us trials, we ought not murmur or complain. Following the example of Mary, let us bear them submissively. If we suffer patiently with Mary on earth, we shall enjoy eternal bliss with her in heaven.
Prayer of the Church
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the most blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of Thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death, through whose most holy soul, in the hour of Thine own passion, the sword of sorrow passed. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen.
Servite Rosary
Learn how to pray here
Ejaculation
Mother of Sorrows, queen of martyrs, pray for us!
Let us pray.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, that we may be helped by the merits of Thy most holy Mother’s spouse; that what of ourselves we cannot obtain may be given us through his intercession. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
September 9
Third Sorrow: Loss of the Child Jesus for Three Days
Preparatory Prayer
Bid me bear, O Mother blessed,
On my heart the wounds impressed
Suffered by the Crucified!
Meditation
Who can describe Mary’s sorrow when, returning from Jerusalem, she missed her divine Son? With St. Joseph she retraced her steps in anxious search of Him whom her soul loved. She went to all her relatives and acquaintances in Jerusalem, but heard no tidings of her lost Child. She passed three long days of anxiety in her search, and this constitutes her third sorrow. Of it, Origen writes: “On account of the ineffable love of Mary for her divine Son, she suffered more by His loss than the martyrs suffered amid the most cruel tortures.”
Practice
In meditating on this sorrow of Mary, we ought to remember how indifferent so many Christians are after having lost God by sin. They feel no compunction, no sorrow at having offended Him, and yet they can weep at the loss of a trifle; they shed copious tears when their will is crossed, or when they receive a deserved reprimand; but for the loss of their God they have not a tear. They have lost Him, perhaps years ago, and never make the least effort to find Him. Pray to the sorrowful Mother that she preserve you from such a deplorable fate!
Prayer of the Church
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the most blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of Thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death, through whose most holy soul, in the hour of Thine own passion, the sword of sorrow passed. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen.
Servite Rosary
Learn how to pray here
Ejaculation
Mother of Sorrows, queen of martyrs, pray for us!
Let us pray.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, that we may be helped by the merits of Thy most holy Mother’s spouse; that what of ourselves we cannot obtain may be given us through his intercession. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
September 10
Fourth Sorrow: Mary meets Jesus on His Way to Calvary
Preparatory Prayer
Bid me bear, O Mother blessed,
On my heart the wounds impressed
Suffered by the Crucified!
Meditation
The time was at hand when mankind’s redemption was to be accomplished. Already the divine Victim of our sins is bearing the instrument of our salvation. Torn by the cruel scourging, crowned with thorns, and covered with blood He proceeds on His way to Calvary, and in this pitiful condition meets His blessed Mother. What a spectacle, what a sight for a Mother such as Mary! Anxious to look upon her, and with one fond glance to thank her for her heroic, unselfish love, He made an effort to change His bowed position beneath the cross, feebly raised His head, and directed toward her one loving glance of ineffable anguish, mingled with grateful recognition and humble resignation. Then the sad procession moves on, Mary following her divine Son on His way to death.
Practice
We, By our sins, placed into the hands of the Jews and executioners the weapons by which Jesus suffered, and thus we thrust the sword of sorrow into Mary’s heart. We repeat this, in a certain sense, as often as we commit a grievous sin, because we thereby number ourselves among those whom the Apostle describes as “crucifying again to themselves the Son of God, and making Him a mockery.” (Heb. vi. 6) Cardinal Hugo writes: “Sinners crucify, as far as is in them, Christ our Lord, because they repeat the cause of His crucifixion.” Doing this, we thrust anew the sword of sorrow into Mary’s heart. Let this consideration fill us with hatred for and fear of sin.
Prayer of the Church
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the most blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of Thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death, through whose most holy soul, in the hour of Thine own passion, the sword of sorrow passed. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen.
Servite Rosary
Learn how to pray here
Ejaculation
Mother of Sorrows, queen of martyrs, pray for us!
Let us pray.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, that we may be helped by the merits of Thy most holy Mother’s spouse; that what of ourselves we cannot obtain may be given us through his intercession. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
September 11
Fifth Sorrow: Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
Preparatory Prayer
Bid me bear, O Mother blessed,
On my heart the wounds impressed
Suffered by the Crucified!
Meditation
At the crucifixion of Jesus the soul of Mary was plunged into a sea of sorrow when she stood three hours under the cross. Writhing in excruciating pain, the Son of God hung upon the tree of disgrace and infamy, yet Mary continued to stand at its foot, tearful, grieving, yet persevering, filled with anguish because she could do nothing to help Him. Another great sorrow befell the heart of Mary when she slowly withdrew her tearful gaze from the face of Jesus, and cast her weeping eyes upon the cold and indifferent world that lay in darkness around and about Calvary. And yet, “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.” (John xix. 26, 27)
Practice
These words, “Behold thy son, behold thy Mother,” contain and express the mystery of unbounded love, which Jesus has for all mankind, but more especially for the Church, which is appointed and authorized to lead men to salvation. O blessed, O happy bequest! It was not enough for the love of Jesus to have restored heaven to us by His atoning death; He wished also to give us His dearest Mother. And she has always shown herself as such. To each of us individually she was and is a kind and loving Mother. Give thanks to her, bless and praise her for having adopted you as her child, and strive to become worthy of so great a privilege.
Prayer of the Church
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the most blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of Thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death, through whose most holy soul, in the hour of Thine own passion, the sword of sorrow passed. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen.
Servite Rosary
Learn how to pray here
Ejaculation
Mother of Sorrows, queen of martyrs, pray for us!
Let us pray.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, that we may be helped by the merits of Thy most holy Mother’s spouse; that what of ourselves we cannot obtain may be given us through his intercession. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
September 12
Sixth Sorrow: The Body of Jesus Being Taken from the Cross
Preparatory Prayer
Bid me bear, O Mother blessed,
On my heart the wounds impressed
Suffered by the Crucified!
Meditation
Who can describe the sorrow and anguish of Mary’s heart when the body of Jesus was taken from the cross, when her tearful eyes fell upon His disfigured features! The pure and holy and beauteous form of her Son was a mass of clotted blood and unsightly wounds; and yet, disfigured as it was, there shone in His countenance a clear, calm expression of divine majesty. Now Mary views the wounds of that sacred body; she looks at the gap made in His side by the cruel spear, and can almost see the Sacred Heart of Jesus, all bruised and broken for love of man. Before her vision passes in detail His life and her own. Memory presents to her mind every day and hour of their quiet, happy life at Nazareth. Is it to be wondered, then, that at this bitter moment her sorrow was so great that, as St. Anselm observes, she should have died had she not been sustained by a miracle of divine omnipotence?
Practice
Ought not the contemplation of the sorrows of our blessed Mother confirm us in patience, in resignation to the will of God in our trials and sufferings? If the Son of God said of Himself: “Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into His glory?” (Luke xxiv. 26); if the most pure and holy Mother of God, despite her great prerogatives and merits, had to suffer a sorrow so ineffable, do not murmur if the word of Christ is addressed also to you: “And he that taketh not up his cross and followeth Me, is not worthy of Me.” (Matt. x. 38)
Prayer of the Church
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the most blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of Thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death, through whose most holy soul, in the hour of Thine own passion, the sword of sorrow passed. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen.
Servite Rosary
Learn how to pray here
Ejaculation
Mother of Sorrows, queen of martyrs, pray for us!
Let us pray.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, that we may be helped by the merits of Thy most holy Mother’s spouse; that what of ourselves we cannot obtain may be given us through his intercession. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
September 13
Seventh Sorrow: The Burial of Jesus
Preparatory Prayer
Bid me bear, O Mother blessed,
On my heart the wounds impressed
Suffered by the Crucified!
Meditation
The sacrifice for the redemption of the world was accomplished. “And Joseph, taking the body, wrapt it up in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new monument, which he had hewed out in a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the monument, and went his way.” (Matt. xxvii. 59) Mary also took part in the burial of her beloved Son, though the evangelists do not mention her name amongst those who were present on that mournful occasion. Never, most assuredly, was human soul visited by such woe and desolation, as that which overwhelmed hers as she cast a last glance on the precious remains of her dead Son.
Practice
Let us learn of the sorrowful Mother at the tomb of her divine Son submission to God’s holy will in all things, but especially when He takes from us one of our dear ones. Again, the contemplation of the sufferings of Mary should fortify us in patience, whenever God is pleased to visit us with a light and small cross of affliction, or even with a sorrow that causes our heart to bleed. It should inspire us with a filial confidence in Mary, who thus suffered for us and gave her divine Son for our salvation. We can and ought to prove our love for her, not by sentimental feelings of affection, but by a sincere hatred of sin and great fervor in the service of her divine Son.
Prayer of the Church
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the most blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of Thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death, through whose most holy soul, in the hour of Thine own passion, the sword of sorrow passed. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen.
Servite Rosary
Learn how to pray here
Ejaculation
Mother of Sorrows, queen of martyrs, pray for us!
Let us pray.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, that we may be helped by the merits of Thy most holy Mother’s spouse; that what of ourselves we cannot obtain may be given us through his intercession. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
September 14
Reasons Why Mary Had to Suffer
Preparatory Prayer
Bid me bear, O Mother blessed,
On my heart the wounds impressed
Suffered by the Crucified!
Meditation
The reasons why God permitted Mary to suffer so much may be briefly stated as follows: He did so from His love for Mary and from His love for us. He did so from His love for Mary, because by suffering she merited greater glory in heaven. As Mother of the Crucified she persevered beneath the cross, and now she thrones in heaven as the glorious Mother of the risen Redeemer. Because she shared in His suffering, she now shares His glory. Again, God permitted Mary to suffer because He loved us. If she had not experienced such bitter sorrow, we would not have recourse to her, for whosoever has not suffered himself can not have sympathy with the sufferings of others. Mary knows the pangs of sorrow by experience, and therefore knows also how to console and help us.
Practice
Because she herself drained the most bitter cup of sorrow, Mary is always willing to help those who invoke her aid. But above all she is inclined to help repentant sinners, because she knows how great the price of their redemption was, paid by the blood of her divine Son. She is able to help us, because, after God, she is most powerful; she is most willing to help us, because she loves us, whom God so has loved “as to give His only-begotten Son.” (John iii. 16) Let us, therefore, have recourse to her in all our needs, and we shall experience the power of her help in life and death.
Prayer of the Church
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the most blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, may intercede for us before the throne of Thy mercy, now and at the hour of our death, through whose most holy soul, in the hour of Thine own passion, the sword of sorrow passed. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen.
Servite Rosary
Learn how to pray here
Ejaculation
Mother of Sorrows, queen of martyrs, pray for us!
Let us pray.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, that we may be helped by the merits of Thy most holy Mother’s spouse; that what of ourselves we cannot obtain may be given us through his intercession. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
September 15
Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
Litany of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows
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, (*)
Holy Virgin of virgins, (*)
Mother crucified, (*)
Sorrowful Mother, (*)
Tearful Mother, (*)
Afflicted Mother, (*)
Forsaken Mother, (*)
Desolate Mother, (*)
Mother bereft of thy Child, (*)
Mother transfixed with the sword, (*)
Mother overwhelmed with grief, (*)
Mother filled with anguish, (*)
Mother crucified in heart, (*)
Mother most sad, (*)
Fountain of tears, (*)
Vial of suffering, (*)
Mirror of patience, (*)
Rock of constancy, (*)
Anchor of confidence, (*)
Refuge of the forsaken, (*)
Shield of the oppressed, (*)
Subduer of the unbelieving, (*)
Comfort of the afflicted, (*)
Medicine of the sick, (*)
Strength of the weak, (*)
Harbour of the wretched, (*)
Calmer of the tempests, (*)
Resource of mourners, (*)
Terror of the treacherous, (*)
Treasure of the faithful, (*)
Eye of the Prophets, (*)
Staff of Apostles, (*)
Crown of Martyrs, (*)
Light of Confessors, (*)
Pearl of Virgins, (*)
Consolation of Widows, (*)
Joy of all Saints, (*)
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, (spare us, O Jesus!)
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, (graciously hear us, O Jesus!)
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, (have mercy on us, O Jesus!)
Look down upon us, deliver us, and save us from all trouble, in the power of Jesus Christ. 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 Thine. Amen.