How to Pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary

Background


The Seven Sorrows of Mary (also called the Seven Dolors) are a traditional Catholic devotion that helps the faithful meditate on the deep suffering the Virgin Mary endured in union with Jesus’ Passion. Each “sorrow” reflects a profound moment of pain and faith in her life:

Seven Sorrows of Mary

  • The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25–35)
    Simeon foretells that a sword will pierce Mary’s heart when presenting the infant Jesus in the temple.

  • The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15)
    Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt with Jesus to escape King Herod’s massacre of the innocents.

  • The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41–50)
    Mary and Joseph lose 12-year-old Jesus for three days in Jerusalem before finding Him in the temple.

  • Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary (Luke 23:27–31; John 19:17)
    Mary encounters her suffering Son carrying the cross to His crucifixion.

  • The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25–30)
    Mary stands at the foot of the Cross and watches her Son die.

  • The Body of Jesus is Placed in Mary’s Arms (Luke 23:50–54)
    After Jesus is taken down from the Cross, His body is laid in Mary’s arms.

  • The Burial of Jesus (Luke 23:55–56)
    Mary witnesses her Son’s body being placed in the tomb.

Guide to Pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary Chaplet

  1. Start with the sign of the cross: In the name of The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Amen.
  2.  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.
  3.  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.

4. Pray 3 Hail Mary’s
and the pray "Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus."


5. For each Sword of Sorrow pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Mary’s. Then conclude with: Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.


6. Concluding 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.


7. Three times, pray: Mary, who was conceived without sin and who suffered for us, pray for us.


8. Conclude with the Sign of the Cross: In the name of The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Amen.
Back to The Rosary Path