Our Lady of Sorrows and Healing
Since the Middle Ages, there has been particular emphasis placed on bringing Mary into the mission of redemptive suffering with the Chaplet of Our Lady of Sorrows.
The famous statue of the Pieta by Michelangelo and the hymn Stabat Mater are artistic representations of Our Lady’s grief.
The Chaplet gained renewed momentum from the visions of St. Bridget of Sweden (1303–1373), who, at ten years old, had a vision revealing the 5,480 blows Jesus endured during His Passion. This vision cemented her deep devotion to Christ’s Passion.
St Bridget would experience regular visions of Jesus, Mary, and the angels, often focusing on the sorrowful hearts of Jesus and Mary. In one vision, Our Lady pleaded with St. Bridget:
I look around at everyone in the world to see if there happens to be some who might have compassion on me and be mindful of my sorrow, but I find very few who think about my sorrow and tribulation. This is why, my daughter, although I am forgotten and neglected by many people, you must not forget me! Look at my struggles and imitate them as far as you can! Contemplate my sorrows and tears and be sorry that the friends of God are so few. Stand firm! Look, my Son is coming.
HOW TO PRAY DOLAR ROSARY
The Friar Servants of Mary began praying the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary in the 13th century. It is a Rosary that seeks to share and meditate on the suffering of Mary in union with Her Divine Son, Jesus. There are various forms of this Rosary, but they all serve to focus our hearts on Seven Sorrows of Our Lady.
The Seven Sorrows (or Dolors) are events in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary
And it is common to say daily one Our Father and seven Hail Marys for each Sorrow.
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The Prophecy of Simeon. (Luke 2:34–35) or the Circumcision of Christ
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The Flight into Egypt. (Matthew 2:13)
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The loss of the child Jesus in the Temple. (Luke 2:43–45)
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Mary meets Jesus on the way to Calvary.
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Jesus dies on the cross. (John 19:25)
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The piercing of the side of Jesus, and Mary’s receiving the body of Jesus in her arms. (Matthew 27:57–59)
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The body of Jesus is placed in the tomb. (John 19:40–42
1. THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON
And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against, and a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34–35). Holy Mother of God, I remember the sorrow of your heart upon hearing Simeon‘s prophecy, and I desire to contemplate with you the Face of Jesus, ―a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to God‘s people Israel‖ (cf. Luke 2:32). One Our Father and seven Hail Marys. “Holy Mother, this impart, Deeply print within my heart, All the wounds my Savior bore”.
2. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT
And an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “‘Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child to destroy him.‘ And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt have I called my Son‘” (Matthew 2:13–15). Holy Mother of God, I remember the sorrow of your heart at the flight into Egypt by night, and I desire to contemplate with you the Face of Jesus, born ―to save his people from their sins‖ (Matthew 1:21). One Our Father and seven Hail Marys. “Holy Mother, this impart, Deeply print within my heart, All the wounds my Savior bore”.
3. THE LOSS OF JESUS FOR THREE DAYS
And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.‘ And he said to them, ‘How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father‘s house?‘” (Luke 2:48–49). Holy Mother of God, I remember the sorrow of your heart when together with Saint Joseph you searched for Jesus for three days, and I desire to contemplate with you the Face of Jesus, ―full of grace and truth‖ (John 1:14). One Our Father and seven Hail Marys. “Holy Mother, this impart, Deeply print within my heart, All the wounds my Savior bore”.”.
4. HER MEETING JESUS, CARRYING HIS CROSS
“He was oppressed and was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. . . . Yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:7, 12). “Holy Mother of God, I remember the sorrow of your heart when you encountered your Jesus bearing His cross, and I desire to contemplate with you the Face of Jesus, ―despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3). One Our Father and seven Hail Marys. “Holy Mother, this impart, Deeply print within my heart, All the wounds my Savior bore”.
5. HER STANDING BENEATH THE CROSS ON CALVARY
“But standing by the Cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother‘s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!‘ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!‘ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home’ “(John 19:25-27). Holy Mother of God, I remember the sorrow of your heart when you saw your Child‘s hands and feet nailed to the wood of the Cross and His side pierced by the soldier‘s lance, and I desire to contemplate with you the Face of Jesus Crucified, bowed in death. One Our Father and seven Hail Marys. “Holy Mother, this impart, Deeply print within my heart, All the wounds my Savior bore”.
6. THE SACRED BODY OF JESUS, TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS
“What can I say for you, to what compare you, O daughter of Jerusalem? What can I liken to you, that I may comfort you, O virgin daughter of Sion? For vast as the sea is your ruin; who can restore you? Cry aloud to the Lord! O daughter of Sion! Let tears stream down like a torrent day and night! Give yourself no rest, your eyes no respite” (Lamentations 2:13, 18). 4 Holy Mother of God, I remember the sorrow of your heart when you beheld the lifeless Body of Jesus taken down from the cross, and I desire to contemplate with you the Face of Jesus, ― “beautiful above the sons of men” (Psalm 44:3). One Our Father and seven Hail Marys. “Holy Mother, this impart, Deeply print within my heart, All the wounds my Savior bore”.
7. HER WITNESSING THE BURIAL OF THE SACRED BODY OF HER SON
“Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud, and laid it in a rock–hewn tomb, where no one had ever yet been laid. It was the Day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and saw the tomb, and how the body was laid; then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment” (Luke 23:52–55). Holy Mother of God, I remember the sorrow of your heart when you beheld the Body of Jesus wrapped in a linen shroud and laid in the tomb, and I desire to contemplate with you the Face of Jesus, covered with a veil in death. One Our Father and seven Hail Marys. “Holy Mother, this impart, Deeply print within my heart, All the wounds my Savior bore”.
CONCLUSION
In honor of the tears shed by Our Lady during these Seven Dolors: three Hail Marys. “O Mother of Sorrows, by the tears you shed, grant that I may weep for my sins.” Hail Mary. “O Mother of Sorrows, by the tears you shed, soften the hardened hearts of sinners.” Hail Mary. “O Mother of Sorrows, by the tears you shed, allow me to make reparation for my sins.” Hail Mary”
Seven Graces of Passed on by St. Bridget
The Blessed Virgin Mary grants seven graces to the souls who honor her daily by saying seven Hail Mary’s and meditating on her tears and dolors (sorrows). The devotion was passed on by St. Bridget.
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I will grant peace to their families.
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They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
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I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.
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I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
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I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
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I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their Mother.
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I have obtained from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.