Seven Sorrows Rosary

The Seven Sorrows Rosary is attributed to the Servite Order founded by seven young men in Italy in 1223 after they witnessed a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The order follows the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, with devotion to the Mother of God, especially in the sorrows of the Passion of her Divine Son.

How to pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows

To be prayed on a rosary with 7 sets of 7 beads.

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee and I detest all my sins because they offend thee who are all good and deserving of all my love and I firmly resolve with the help of thy grace to sin no more and to avoid all near occasions of sin. Amen.

2. Announce the First Sorrow.

3. Say one "Our Father" on the large bead.

4. Say seven "Hail Marys" on the small beads while meditating on the Sorrow.

5. Repeat #1 and #2, continuing through all seven Sorrows.

6. Three "Hail Marys" are said at the end, in honor of the Tears of Our Sorrowful Mother.

7. Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be for the intention of the Pope.

8. Say "Virgin most Sorrowful, pray for us" three times.

The First Sorrow: Prophecy of Simeon

The presentation of Jesus in the temple to Simeon who prophesies "This Child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed and you yourself will be pierced with a sword so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare." –Luke 2:34-35

The Second Sorrow: The Flight in Egypt

When they had departed, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." –Matthew 2:13

The Third Sorrow: The Loss of the Child Jesus

After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. –Luke 2:44-45

The Fourth Sorrow: Mary meets Jesus on His Way to Calvary

And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him. –Matthew 27:31

The Fifth Sorrow: Jesus is Crucified and Dies on the Cross

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other of his left. –Luke 23:33

The Sixth Sorrow: Mary receives the Dead Body of Jesus in Her Arms

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary of Magdala. –John 19:25

The Seventh Sorrow: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried. –Luke 23:53