The Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, also called the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows, is a Catholic devotion centred on the painful events in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through this devotion, Catholics meditate on the suffering Mary experienced in connection with the life and Passion of Jesus.
Although the prayers focus on sorrow, the devotion is not simply about sadness. Instead, it helps us reflect on Mary’s faith, courage, love and perseverance during difficult moments.
As we meditate on each sorrow, we can also bring our own struggles before God. In this way, the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows can become a prayer of comfort, trust and hope.
What Is the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows?
The Chaplet consists of seven groups of seven Hail Marys. Each group is connected to one of the traditional Seven Sorrows of Mary.
Before each group, the particular sorrow is announced and briefly meditated upon. Then, one Our Father and seven Hail Marys are prayed.
The seven sorrows are:
- The Prophecy of Simeon
- The Flight into Egypt
- The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
- Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
- Jesus Dies on the Cross
- Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross
- Jesus Is Placed in the Tomb
Consequently, the chaplet combines vocal prayer with meditation. Rather than rushing through the prayers, take a moment to consider each event and Mary’s faithful response.
How to Pray the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows
You can begin the devotion by making the Sign of the Cross.
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer
My God, I offer You this Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary for Your greater glory and for my salvation.
As I meditate upon the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, help me to understand the suffering of Jesus more deeply.
Grant me the grace to imitate Mary’s faith, courage and love.
May this devotion strengthen me whenever I face suffering, uncertainty or sorrow.
Amen.
First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon
The first sorrow began when Mary and Joseph presented the infant Jesus in the Temple.
Simeon recognised Jesus as the promised Messiah. However, his joyful recognition was followed by a painful prophecy concerning Mary.
He told her:
“And you yourself a sword will pierce.”
— Luke 2:35
Although Mary had come to the Temple with joy, she now heard that suffering would touch her heart because of her Son.
She could not see everything that the future would bring. Nevertheless, she continued to trust God.
Meditation
Consider Mary’s willingness to accept God’s plan even when she did not understand it completely.
When uncertainty enters our own lives, we can follow her example by continuing to trust God.
Prayers
Our Father
7 Hail Marys
After the seven Hail Marys:
Holy Mother, imprint deeply within my heart the wounds of Jesus Crucified.
Second Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt
Soon after the birth of Jesus, danger came upon the Holy Family.
King Herod wanted to kill the infant Jesus. Therefore, Joseph took Mary and the child and fled to Egypt after receiving God’s warning.
The journey meant leaving behind their home and entering an unfamiliar land.
For Mary, the experience brought fear, uncertainty and concern for her young Son. Even so, she trusted God and followed the path that had been placed before her.
Meditation
Think about families who are forced to leave their homes because of danger, conflict or hardship.
Mary understands the pain of displacement. For this reason, we can ask her to pray for families who are afraid or uncertain about their future.
Prayers
Our Father
7 Hail Marys
Holy Mother, imprint deeply within my heart the wounds of Jesus Crucified.
Third Sorrow: The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
When Jesus was twelve years old, Mary and Joseph travelled to Jerusalem for the Passover.
On their journey home, however, they discovered that Jesus was not with them.
They searched for Him for three days before finding Him in the Temple.
Imagine the anxiety that Mary experienced during those days. Yet, after finding Jesus, she continued to treasure His words in her heart even though she did not understand everything.
Meditation
This sorrow reminds us of the pain that comes when someone we love is missing.
Furthermore, it can represent those moments when we feel far away from God.
If you ever feel that God is distant, do not stop searching for Him. Instead, continue praying and seeking His presence.
Prayers
Our Father
7 Hail Marys
Holy Mother, imprint deeply within my heart the wounds of Jesus Crucified.
Fourth Sorrow: Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
Jesus was carrying His Cross toward Calvary when He encountered His Mother.
Mary could not remove the Cross from Him. Nevertheless, she remained close to Jesus as He continued toward His Crucifixion.
Her presence could not stop His suffering, yet it demonstrated the depth of her love.
Sometimes, we also encounter situations that we cannot change.
We may not be able to remove another person’s illness, grief or problems. However, we can remain beside them, pray for them and offer them our support.
Meditation
Ask God for the grace to remain present for people who are suffering.
Like Mary, may we learn that love sometimes means simply refusing to abandon someone during their darkest moments.
Prayers
Our Father
7 Hail Marys
Holy Mother, imprint deeply within my heart the wounds of Jesus Crucified.
Fifth Sorrow: Jesus Dies on the Cross
The fifth sorrow brings us to Calvary.
Jesus was crucified, and Mary stood near the Cross.
She had watched her Son grow from infancy into adulthood. Now, she witnessed His suffering and death.
Despite the unbearable pain, Mary did not turn away.
Instead, she remained faithful until the end.
Meditation
Mary’s presence at the Cross teaches us an important lesson about faith.
There will be times when we do not understand why God allows suffering. Even then, we can choose to remain close to Him.
When your own cross becomes difficult, ask Mary to help you remain faithful.
Prayers
Our Father
7 Hail Marys
Holy Mother, imprint deeply within my heart the wounds of Jesus Crucified.
Sixth Sorrow: Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross
After Jesus died, His body was taken down from the Cross.
Christian tradition has long represented this moment through the image of the Pietà, showing Mary holding the body of Jesus.
For a mother, losing a child is an unimaginable sorrow. Consequently, this mystery can be especially meaningful for people who are grieving the death of someone they love.
Meditation
Bring your grief and the grief of others before God.
If you know someone who is mourning, ask Our Lady of Sorrows to comfort them.
Moreover, remember that God remains close to those who mourn.
Prayers
Our Father
7 Hail Marys
Holy Mother, imprint deeply within my heart the wounds of Jesus Crucified.
Seventh Sorrow: Jesus Is Placed in the Tomb
Finally, Jesus was placed in the tomb.
A stone was rolled across the entrance, and everything appeared to have ended.
From a human perspective, there seemed to be no reason for hope. Nevertheless, Mary continued to trust in God.
The tomb, however, was not the end.
The Resurrection was coming.
Meditation
Think about the situations in your own life that seem hopeless.
Perhaps you are waiting for an answer to prayer. Maybe you are experiencing grief, financial difficulties or another painful situation.
Even when you cannot see the way forward, remember that God can bring new life from situations that appear impossible.
Prayers
Our Father
7 Hail Marys
Holy Mother, imprint deeply within my heart the wounds of Jesus Crucified.
Closing Prayers
After completing the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, the devotion traditionally continues with additional prayers.
Three Hail Marys
Pray three Hail Marys in honour of Mary’s sorrow and tears.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Repeat three times.
Closing Invocation
V. Pray for us, O Virgin Most Sorrowful.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Closing Prayer
O God, in whose Passion a sword of sorrow pierced the tender heart of the glorious Virgin Mary, Your Mother, as foretold by Simeon; grant that we who commemorate her sorrows may share in the fruits of Christ’s Passion.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Seven Sorrows of Mary at a Glance
| Sorrow | Event |
|---|---|
| First Sorrow | The Prophecy of Simeon |
| Second Sorrow | The Flight into Egypt |
| Third Sorrow | The Loss of Jesus in the Temple |
| Fourth Sorrow | Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary |
| Fifth Sorrow | Jesus Dies on the Cross |
| Sixth Sorrow | Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross |
| Seventh Sorrow | Jesus Is Placed in the Tomb |
When Can You Pray the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows?
The Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary can be prayed at any time of the year.
Nevertheless, the devotion can be particularly meaningful during Lent, Holy Week and around the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15.
You can also pray it whenever you are experiencing grief, uncertainty or a difficult period in your life.
For example, you might pray the chaplet:
- When you are grieving the loss of someone
- When a family member is suffering
- During a difficult period in your life
- When you need strength and courage
- While meditating on the Passion of Jesus
- When praying for someone experiencing hardship
- During preparation for the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
Most importantly, you do not need to wait for a particular feast day. Whenever your heart is burdened, you can bring your sorrow before God through prayer.
What Does the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows Teach Us?
The Seven Sorrows show us how Mary remained faithful throughout painful moments.
When Simeon spoke of suffering, she trusted God.
When the Holy Family fled to Egypt, she followed God’s plan.
When Jesus was missing, she searched for Him.
When Jesus carried His Cross, she remained near Him.
When He died, she stayed at Calvary.
After His death, she continued to trust.
Finally, when He was placed in the tomb, she waited in faith for God’s plan to unfold.
Therefore, the Chaplet is not merely a devotion about suffering. It is also a devotion about remaining faithful when suffering comes.
Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows
Our Lady of Sorrows,
You who shared so deeply in the suffering of Jesus, look with compassion upon us.
When we are afraid, strengthen us.
When we are grieving, comfort us.
When we feel lost, lead us back to your Son.
When our crosses become difficult to carry, help us remain faithful.
Teach us to trust God even when we cannot understand His plan.
May your example inspire us to remain close to Jesus throughout our lives.
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Amen.
Final Reflection
The Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary gives Catholics an opportunity to meditate on Mary’s suffering while drawing closer to Jesus.
Her story reminds us that faith does not mean that we will never experience pain. Rather, faith gives us the courage to continue trusting God when life becomes difficult.
Mary experienced fear, uncertainty, separation and grief. Yet she remained faithful through every trial.
Most importantly, her sorrow did not end with the tomb.
The Resurrection brought hope after the darkness of Calvary. In the same way, our present suffering does not have to be the end of our story.
When we pray the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows, therefore, we can bring our own burdens to God and ask Mary to accompany us.
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.