Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows

The Blessed Virgin Mary has promised to grant seven graces to the souls who honor her daily by saying seven Hail Mary’s and meditating on her tears and sorrows.  Learn to pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary Below!

The Seven Promises

The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady

How to Pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary (or Chaplet)

Each group of the seven sorrows is begun with an Our Father, as in the regular Rosary. You may consider starting with an Act of Contrition since the devotion has a penitential aspect. The groups of seven Hail Marys are an occasion for meditation on each of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.

The Prophecy of Simeon

Reading: Luke 2:25-35.

When Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus in the temple, Simeon predicts that a “sword” (of sorrow) will pierce Mary’s soul. 

Pray the “Our Father” then pray the “Hail Mary” seven times.

The Flight into Egypt

Reading: Matthew 2:13-15.

When King Herod orders the death of all male children age two or younger, Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt with the infant Jesus.

Pray the “Our Father” then pray the “Hail Mary” seven times.

The Child Jesus Lost in the Temple

Reading: Luke 2: 41-50.

Mary and Joseph search for the child Jesus for three days, finding Him at last — after agonizing sorrow — in the temple.

Pray the “Our Father” then pray the “Hail Mary” seven times.

Mary meets Jesus carrying the cross

Reading: Luke 23: 27-29.

As Jesus makes His way to Calvary, condemned to crucifixion, He meets His mother, Mary. He is bruised, derided, cursed and defiled and her sorrow is absolute as Jesus drags His own cross up the hill of His crucifixion.

Pray the “Our Father” then pray the “Hail Mary” seven times.

Mary at the foot of the cross

Reading: John 19: 25-30.

Mary stands near her dying Son unable to minister to him as He cries “I thirst.” She hears Him promise heaven to a thief and forgive His enemies. His last words, “Behold your mother,” charge us to look on Mary as our mother.

Pray the “Our Father” then pray the “Hail Mary” seven times.

Mary receives the body of Jesus

Reading: Psalm 130.

Jesus is taken down from the cross and His body is placed in Mary’s arms. The passion and death are over, but for His mother, grief continues. She holds His body in her arms.


Pray the “Our Father” then pray the “Hail Mary” seven times.

Mary witnesses the burial of Jesus

Reading: Luke 23: 50-56.

The body of Jesus is laid in the tomb. The most tragic day in history ends, Mary alone in sorrow, awaiting the Resurrection.

Pray the “Our Father” then pray the “Hail Mary” seven times.

Seven Daughters of our Sorrowful Mother

The Seven Daughters of Our Sorrowful Mother was formed to pray for priests. This group of women prays for many priests, in particular, our parish priest, our bishop, the priests in our diocese, those associated with OSMM and priests worldwide, especially those being persecuted for their faith.

Since we are under the mantle of Our Sorrowful Mother, we have a wealth of beautiful prayers that we use during our hour. We also meditate on Christ’s Passion and the Seven Sorrows that Mary suffered.

Now more than ever, our priests need all of the prayer support we can all provide.
We pray for their protection, sanctity, holy boldness, courage & faithfulness.

Their names are recorded in a beautiful book placed in Mary’s Chapel, in the House of Bethany, which houses the priests who come here.
You can join us by praying the rosary for priests.

If you have a priest that you would like us to pray for please contact Cheryl at [email protected].

Please let others know about this important work in this crucial time.

O Almighty, Eternal God, look upon the Face of Your Son and for love of Him, who is the Eternal High Priest, have pity on Your priests. Remember, O most compassionate God, that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which is in them by the imposition of the bishop’s hands. Keep them close to You, lest the enemy prevail against them, so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation.

O Jesus, I pray for Your faithful and fervent priests; for Your unfaithful and tepid priests; for Your priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields; for Your tempted priests; for the lonely and desolate priests; for Your young priests; for Your dying priests; for the souls of Your priests in purgatory.

But above all, I commend to you N, and all the priests dearest to me, the priest who baptized me, the priests who have absolved me from my sins, the priests at whose Masses I have assisted and who have offered me Your Body and Blood in Holy Communion, the priests who have taught and instructed me or helped and encouraged me, and the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way.

O Jesus, keep them all close to Your Heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity. Amen

~by Richard Cardinal Cushing
Archbishop of Boston (1944-1970)

O Jesus, eternal Priest, keep your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart, where none may touch them. Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Your Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled by your Precious Blood. Keep pure and unearthly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood. Let Your holy love surround them and shield them from the world’s contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit and may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and in heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown.

“I came to Carmel to save souls and pray for priests” St. Thérèse

O Jesus, our great High Priest, hear my humble prayers on behalf of your priests. Give them a deep faith, a bright and firm hope and a burning love which will ever increase in the course of their priestly life. In their loneliness, comfort them. In their sorrows, strengthen them. In their frustrations, point out to them that it is through suffering that the soul is purified, and show them that they are needed by the Church, they are needed by souls, they are needed for the work of redemption.

O loving Mother Mary, Mother of Priests, take to your heart your sons who are close to you because of their priestly ordination, and because of the power which they have received to carry on the work of Christ in a world which needs them so much. Be their comfort, be their joy, be their strength, and especially help them to live and to defend the ideals of consecrated celibacy. Amen.

+John Joseph Cardinal Carberry
Archbishop of St. Louis (1968-1979)

Lord Jesus Christ, eternal High Priest,

You offered yourself to the Father on the altar of the Cross
and through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
gave Your priestly people a share in Your redeeming sacrifice.
Hear our prayer for the sanctification of our priests.
Grant that all who are ordained to the ministerial priesthood
may be ever more conformed to You, the Divine Master.
May they preach the Gospel with pure heart and clear conscience.
Let them be shepherds according to Your own Heart,
single-minded in service to You and to the Church
and shining examples of a holy, simple and joyful life.
Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother and ours,
draw all priests and the flocks entrusted to their care
to the fullness of eternal life where you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

-Prayer by Pope Benedict XVI

Let us pray for the Holy Father: fill him with courage and grace, O Lord.
Cardinals, archbishops, and bishops: give them a shepherd’s heart, O Lord.
Diocesan priests: fill them with your Spirit, Lord.
Priests in religious orders: perfect them in their calling, Lord.
Priests who are ill: heal them, Lord.
Priests who are in danger: deliver them, Lord.
Priests who are weak: strengthen them, Lord.
Priests who are poor: relieve them, Lord.
Priests who have lost their zeal: renew them, Lord.
Priests who are sad: console them, Lord.
Priests who are worried: give them peace, Lord.
Priests who are old: sustain them, Lord.
Priests who are alone: accompany them, Lord.
Missionary priests: protect them, Lord.
Priests who are preachers: enlighten them, Lord.
Priests who direct souls: instruct them, Lord.
Priests and religious who have died: bring them to glory, Lord.
For all priests: give them Your wisdom and knowledge.
For all priests: give them Your understanding and counsel.
For all priests: give them reverence and awe of You.
For all priests: give them patience and love.
For all priests: give them obedience and kindness.
For all priests: give them a burning zeal for souls.
For all priests: give them virtues of faith, hope and love.
For all priests: give them an intense love for the Eucharist.
For all priests: give them loyalty to the Holy Father and their Bishops.
For all priests: give them respect for life and human dignity.
For all priests: give them integrity and justice.
For all priests: give them humility and generosity.
For all priests: give them strength in their labors.
For all priests: give them peace in their sufferings.
For all priests: give them great love for the Trinity.
For all priests: give them great love for Mary.
For all priests: let them be the light of Christ.
For all priests: let them be the salt of the earth.
For all priests: let them practice sacrifice and self-denial.
For all priests: let them be holy in body, mind and spirit.
For all priests: let them be men of prayer.
For all priests: may faith shine forth in them.
For all priests: may they be concerned for our salvation.
For all priests: may they be faithful to their priestly vocation.
For all priests: may their hands bless and heal.
For all priests: may they burn with love for you.
For all priests: may all their steps be for the glory of God.
For all priests: may the Holy Spirit fill them, and give them His gifts in abundance.

Let us pray.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, hear the prayers we offer for our priests. Let them know clearly the work that You are calling them to do. Grant them every grace to answer Your call with courage, love, and lasting dedication to Your will.
We ask Mary’s intercession as their loving mother. Amen.

Lord Jesus, eternal priest, bestow on (insert name) the fullness of your perfection and strength. Remember that he has forsaken all things to give himself entirely to you. In his hours of loneliness and discouragement be close to him, that he may not fail in his sacred duties. Bless his labors with abundant fruit for souls. May all his contacts with others bring them and him closer to your divine heart.

Give him a sympathetic and understanding heart that he may restore peace and bring consolation to those who have fallen into sin. Give him a generous heart that he may share the sorrows and sufferings of others and be forgetful of his own. Give him a strong heart that he may be ever pure in the midst of a sinful world. Keep always holy his anointed hands, which are privileged to touch your sacred Body, that they may never work to your dishonor. May his lips, which touch your Precious Blood, never be the instrument of sin.

And if ever, Lord, through weakness he should fall, then lift him gently to your Sacred Heart. Remember that the world’s possessions are no longer his and that he has nothing left but you. Grant that each precious host to be consecrated at his hands may bring him closer to you.

— Jesus meek and humble of heart, make his heart like unto your very own!

The Holy Rosary

The Rosary has been called the preparation for contemplation and the prayer of saints.

While the hands and lips are occupied with the prayers, the mind meditates on the mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption represented by the decades. Meditation is the form of prayer by which the one who prays uses the mind and imagination to consider a truth of revelation and uses the will to love it and form resolutions to live it. In this way, the heart, mind, and soul is formed according to the Gospel examples of Jesus and Mary.

“Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.”
~St. Padre Pio

The Introduction

Begin the Rosary by making the sign of the Cross:

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

Then say the Apostle’s Creed:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ,
His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.

Then say one Our Father, three Hail Marys (for the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity) and one Glory Be:

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 among 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.

GLORY BE to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Decades and Mysteries

The traditional Rosary is divided into three parts, each having five mysteries: Glorious, Joyful and Sorrowful. In his apostolic letter The Rosary of the Virgin Mary, Pope John Paul II proposed a new set of mysteries, which he called the Luminous, and which concern the period of the public life of Our Lord. For those who wish to say all 20 decades at once during the course of a day, they may be said in the following order: Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious.
For each decade of the rosary, announce the mystery and pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and One Glory be while meditating upon some aspect of that mystery.

To pray with us, please select each of the mysteries below.

The First Joyful Mystery

The Annunciation

Mary learns from the Angel Gabriel that God wishes her to be the mother of God and humbly accepts. (Luke 1:26-38)

The Second Joyful Mystery

The Visitation

Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth and is praised by her as “blessed among women.” (Luke 1:39-56)

The Third Joyful Mystery

The Nativity

Mary gives birth to Jesus in the stable at Bethlehem. (Luke 2:1-20)

The Fourth Joyful Mystery

The Presentation

Mary and Joseph present Jesus to His Heavenly Father in the Temple of Jerusalem forty days after His birth. (Luke 2:22-39)

The Fifth Joyful Mystery

The Finding in the Temple

After searching for three days, Mary and Joseph find the twelve-year-old Jesus sitting in the Temple discussing the law with the learned doctors. (Luke 2:42-52).

The First Luminous Mystery

The Baptism in the Jordan

After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the Heavens were opened for him and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to Him. And a voice came from Heaven saying “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Mt.3:16-17)

The Second Luminous Mystery

The Wedding Feast at Cana

On the third day, there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there… When the wine ran short Mary said to Him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother told the servers, “Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2:1-11)

The Third Luminous Mystery

The Proclamation Of The Kingdom And The Call To Conversion

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15)

The Fourth Luminous Mystery

The Transfiguration

While Jesus was praying His face changed in appearance and His clothing became dazzling white. And behold two men were conversing with Him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His exodus that He was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:28-31)

The Fifth Luminous Mystery

The Institution Of The Eucharist

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (John 6:51)

The First Sorrowful Mystery

The Agony in the Garden

The thought of our sins and His coming suffering causes the agonizing Savior to sweat blood. (Luke 22:39-44).

The Second Sorrowful Mystery

The Scourging

Jesus is stripped and unmercifully scourged until His body is one mass of bloody wounds. (Matt. 27:26)

The Third Sorrowful Mystery

The Crowning with Thorns

Jesus’ claim to kingship is ridiculed by putting a crown of thorns on His head and a reed in His hand. (Matt. 27:28- 31)

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery

The Carrying of the Cross

Jesus shoulders His own cross and carries it to the place of crucifixion while Mary follows Him sorrowing.
(Luke 23:26- 32)

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery

The Crucifixion

Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies after three hours of agony witnessed by His Mother. (Matt. 27:33-50)

The First Glorious Mystery

The Resurrection

Jesus rises from the dead on Easter Sunday, glorious and immortal, as He has predicted. (Matt. 28:1-7).

The Second Glorious Mystery

The Ascension

Jesus ascends into Heaven forty days after His resurrection to sit at the right hand of God the Father. (Luke 24:50-51)

The Third Glorious Mystery

The Descent of the Holy Spirit

Jesus sends the Holy Spirit in the form of fiery tongues on His Apostles and disciples. (Acts 2:2-4)

The Fourth Glorious Mystery

The Assumption

Mary’s soul returns to God and her glorified body is taken up into heaven and reunited with her soul.

The Fifth Glorious Mystery

The Coronation

Mary is crowned as Queen of heaven and earth, Queen of angels and saints.

+Concluding Prayers of the Rosary

After the completion of five mysteries (5 decades), or 15 or 20, the following is customarily said:

Hail Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary

(Verse) Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

(Response) That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Rosary Prayer

(Verse) Let us pray

(Response) O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation. Grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

After the completion of five mysteries (5 decades), or 15 or 20, the following is customarily said:

Hail Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary

(Verse) Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

(Response) That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Rosary Prayer

(Verse) Let us pray

(Response) O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation. Grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.