- Rosary and The Way
- Pray the Rosary
- Seven Sorrows Rosary
Seven Sorrows Rosary
Seven Sorrows Rosary, Seven Sorrows of Our Lady
Seven Sorrows Rosary is a meditation on Mary's own sorrows — and the promises she made to those who sit with her in them.
Seven Sorrows Rosary is a deeply spiritual devotion in the Catholic faith that focuses on the sorrows endured by the Blessed Virgin Mary throughout her life. It's different from the traditional Rosary — this devotion consists of seven sets of seven Hail Marys, each set dedicated to one of Mary's seven sorrows, where the traditional Rosary has five sets of ten Hail Marys, each dedicated to a mystery of Jesus and Mary's life.
This form of prayer invites us to meditate on the suffering and unwavering faith of Mary. It can provide a way to deepen our spiritual growth and understanding, and connect us to the Passion of Christ.
What Are the Seven Sorrows of Mary?
Tap each sorrow to read the reflection.
1 The Prophecy of Simeon Luke 2:25–35 · Joyful Mysteries connection
Simeon foretold that Jesus would be a "sign of contradiction" and that a sword would pierce Mary's soul. This reveals the hidden pain within the Joyful Mystery of the Presentation.
2 The Flight into Egypt Matthew 2:13–15
King Herod sought to kill Jesus, forcing the Holy Family into exile. Imagine the fear and displacement Mary felt protecting her infant Son from imminent danger.
3 The Loss in the Temple Luke 2:41–50 · Finding Jesus connection
After three days of agonized searching, Mary found Jesus in the Temple. This sorrow highlights her maternal anxiety and the mystery of Jesus' divine mission.
4 Meeting on the Way John 19:17 · 4th Station of the Cross
As Jesus carried His Cross to Calvary, He encountered His Mother. Their eyes met in a profound moment of shared suffering and compassion.
5 Crucifixion and Death John 19:25–30 · 12th Station of the Cross
Mary stood at the foot of the Cross, witnessing the pinnacle of her Son's sacrifice. This is the heart of her sorrow, watching the redemption of humanity unfold.
6 Taken Down from the Cross John 19:31–34 · The Pieta, 13th Station
The lifeless body of Jesus was placed in Mary's arms. This tender, heartbreaking moment underscores the depth of her grief and her perfect love.
7 The Burial of Jesus John 19:40–42 · 14th Station of the Cross
Mary accompanied Jesus to the tomb. In this final sorrow, she bid farewell to her Son's body, waiting in desolation for the promised Resurrection.
Explore the Interconnections
Deepen your meditation by visiting the related mysteries and stations these sorrows echo.
The Seven Promises of Our Lady
According to tradition, Our Lady made these seven promises to those who devoutly pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary.
Family Peace — I will grant peace to their families.
Enlightenment — They will be enlightened about divine mysteries.
Consolation — I will console them in their pains and work.
Answered Prayers — I will give them as much as they ask for.
Protection — I will defend them in spiritual battles.
Help at Death — I will visibly help them at the moment of death.
Intercession — Forgiveness of sins and eternal consolation.
Download and print: Seven Sorrows Promises PDF
The Pieta
Jesus is taken down from the Cross and placed into the arms of His mother Mary.
Receive me into your arms, O Sorrowful Mother, and obtain for me perfect contrition for my sins.
How to Pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary
Want to learn this devotion with visual photos, step by step? See Seven Sorrows of Mary Rosary.
Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
Act of Contrition: "O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen."
First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon
Pray an Our Father. Pray seven Hail Marys while meditating on the sorrow of the Prophecy of Simeon.
"I grieve for thee, O Mary most sorrowful, in the affliction of thy tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon. Dear Mother, by thy heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the holy fear of God. Amen."
Second Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt
Pray an Our Father. Pray seven Hail Marys while meditating on the sorrow of the Flight into Egypt.
"I grieve for thee, O Mary most sorrowful, in the anguish of thy most affectionate heart during the flight into Egypt and thy sojourn there. Dear Mother, by thy heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of generosity, especially toward the poor, and the gift of piety. Amen."
Third Sorrow: The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
Pray an Our Father. Pray seven Hail Marys while meditating on the sorrow of the Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple.
"I grieve for thee, O Mary most sorrowful, in those anxieties which tried thy troubled heart at the loss of thy dear Jesus. Dear Mother, by thy heart so full of anguish, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge. Amen."
Fourth Sorrow: Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
Pray an Our Father. Pray seven Hail Marys while meditating on the sorrow of Mary meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary.
"I grieve for thee, O Mary most sorrowful, in the consternation of thy heart at meeting Jesus as He carried His Cross. Dear Mother, by thy heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude. Amen."
Fifth Sorrow: The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
Pray an Our Father. Pray seven Hail Marys while meditating on the sorrow of the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus.
"I grieve for thee, O Mary most sorrowful, in the martyrdom which thy generous heart endured in standing near Jesus in His agony. Dear Mother, by thy heart afflicted in such measure, obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel. Amen."
Sixth Sorrow: The Body of Jesus Being Taken Down from the Cross
Pray an Our Father. Pray seven Hail Marys while meditating on the sorrow of the Body of Jesus being taken down from the Cross.
"I grieve for thee, O Mary most sorrowful, in the wounding of thy compassionate heart when the side of Jesus was struck by the lance before His body was removed from the Cross. Dear Mother, by thy heart thus transfixed, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding. Amen."
Seventh Sorrow: The Burial of Jesus
Pray an Our Father. Pray seven Hail Marys while meditating on the sorrow of the Burial of Jesus.
"I grieve for thee, O Mary most sorrowful, for the pangs that wrenched thy most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. Dear Mother, by thy heart sunk in the bitterness of desolation, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom. Amen."
Concluding Prayers:
Pray three Hail Marys in honor of the tears of Our Sorrowful Mother.
Conclude with the prayer: "Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us."
What Could This Journey Change in You?
Devotions aren't just about reciting words; they're about opening doors within the heart. If you've found your way here, perhaps you're asking the same questions many of us have.
Can we find strength in our own suffering?
Life brings trials that often feel heavy and isolating. Reflecting on the Seven Sorrows, we see our own struggles mirrored in Mary's journey. Her example doesn't just offer sympathy; it offers a roadmap of faith and resilience for facing life's challenges.
How do we grow in compassion?
When we meditate on the grief Mary endured, our own capacity for empathy expands. It softens the heart, letting us carry not only our own burdens but walk more compassionately alongside others in their time of need.
Why connect the Rosary to the Stations?
The Sorrows aren't separate from the Passion of Christ — they are the heart's own witness to it. Seeing these links helps us draw closer to the shared experience of Mother and Son.
"In my own life, sitting with these seven sorrows wasn't just a study — it changed how I see suffering, and how I pray." — Angela
Let's Journey Together
Spiritual growth is often found in sharing our stories. Do you have a reflection on the Seven Sorrows, or would you like to know when the Seven Joys of Mary is released?
Visit My Contact Page & Connect →