Devotions to Our Lady of Sorrows

Key Aspects of the Theology of Our Lady of Sorrows

• Mary's Participation in Christ's Passion: The devotion centres on the belief that Mary, through her close relationship with Jesus, shared in his suffering during his passion and death. This includes the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the loss of Jesus in the Temple, carrying the cross, the crucifixion, and the deposition from the cross.
• Spiritual Growth and Holiness: Meditating on Mary's sorrows is believed to lead to a deeper understanding of Christ's love and sacrifice, fostering spiritual growth and holiness in those who practise the devotion.
• A Path to Discernment: A theological perspective suggests that a devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows can aid in discernment, allowing individuals to cut away attachments and better hear the voice of God.
• Seven Sorrows: The devotion often focuses on the seven sorrows of Mary, which are specific events in her life that are seen as particularly poignant moments of suffering.
• Symbolism of the Sword: The prophecy of Simeon, where a sword will pierce Mary's heart, is a central symbol, representing the pain and suffering she endures.
• Union with Christ's Sacrifice: The theology emphasises that Mary's sorrows are not separate from Christ's sacrifice but are intimately connected to it, highlighting the shared redemptive mission.
• Hope and Consolation: While focused on suffering, the theology also offers hope and consolation, suggesting that Mary's sorrows can be a source of comfort and strength in times of trial.
• Feast Day: The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated on September 15, commemorating the profound union of heart between Mary and Jesus, especially during his passion.

Prayers to Our Lady of Sorrows

Prayers to Our Lady of Sorrows focus on meditating on Mary's sorrows during the passion of Jesus and seeking her intercession for grace, strength, and comfort in life's trials. These prayers often include petitions for forgiveness, healing, and perseverance in faith. One popular prayer is the Litany of Our Lady of Sorrows, which lists various titles and attributes of Mary, asking for her intercession for specific needs.

Here are some examples of prayers to Our Lady of Sorrows:

Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows

O most holy Mother, Queen of Sorrows, who followed your beloved Son through all the Way of the Cross… obtain for us a perpetual remembrance of our Blessed Saviour's Cross and Death, and a true and tender devotion to all the mysteries of his most holy Passion.

Prayer for a Particular Grace

O mother most holy and sorrowful, Queen of Martyrs, you who stood by your Son as He agonised on the cross. By the sufferings of your life, by that sword of pain that pierced your heart, by your perfect joy in heaven, look down on me kindly as I kneel before you, sympathising with your sorrows and offering you my petition with childlike trust.

Consecration to Our Lady of Sorrows

In thy Immaculate Heart, pierced with so many swords of sorrow, I place today my poor soul forever; receive me as a partaker in thy dolors, and never suffer that I should depart from that Cross on which thy only begotten Son expired for me.

Litany of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows

This litany invokes Mary's sorrows in specific situations, such as her sorrow at the prophecy of Simeon, her flight into Egypt, the loss of Jesus in the Temple, and her encounter with Jesus carrying the cross.

Hail Mary (Alternative Version)

Hail Mary, full of sorrows, the Crucified is with thee: tearful art thou amongst women, and tearful is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of the Crucified, grant tears to us crucifiers of thy Son, now and at the hour of our death.

Litany of Our Lady of Sorrows

V. Lord, have mercy on us.

R. Christ, have mercy on us.

V. Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.

R. 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 Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.

Mother of the Crucified, pray for us.

Mother most sorrowful, pray for us.

Mother most tearful, pray for us.

Mother afflicted, pray for us.

Mother forsaken, pray for us.

Mother bereft of thy Son, pray for us.

Mother pierced with the sword, pray for us.

Mother consumed with grief, pray for us.

Mother filled with anguish, pray for us.

Mirror of patience, pray for us.

Rock of constancy, pray for us.

Joy of the afflicted, pray for us.

Ark of the desolate, pray for us.

Refuge of the abandoned, pray for us.

Shield of the oppressed, pray for us.

Conqueror of the incredulous, pray for us.

Solace of the wretched, pray for us.

Medicine of the sick, pray for us.

Help of the faint, pray for us.

Strength of the weak, pray for us.

Haven of the shipwrecked, pray for us.

Calmer of tempests, pray for us.

Companion of the sorrowful, pray for us.

Treasure of the Faithful, pray for us.

Theme of Prophets, pray for us.

Staff of the Apostles, pray for us.

Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.

Light of Confessors, pray for us.

Pearl of Virgins, pray for us.

Comfort of Widows, pray for us.

Joy of all Saints, pray for us.

Pray for us, most Sorrowful Virgin,

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world.

Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world.

Hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world.

Have mercy upon us.

Closing Prayer

Let us pray.

Imprint, O Lord, thy wounds upon our hearts, that we may read therein sorrow and love; sorrow to endure all suffering for thee; love to despise all love but thine; who lives and reigns, world without end, Amen.

O God, in whose Passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon, a sword of grief pierced through the most sweet soul of Thy glorious Blessed Virgin Mother Mary: grant that we, who celebrate the memory of her Sorrows, may obtain the happy effect of Thy Passion, Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen.