The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows dates back to the fourteenth century. Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, appeared to St. Bridget of Sweden and revealed this Rosary devotion to her. However, it gained new popularity following the Marian apparitions in Kibeho, Rwanda, in the 1980s. During Mary’s apparitions (approved by the Catholic Church), to Marie-Claire Mukangango, she assigned the young visionary a mission to reintroduce this special rosary to the world. Before her untimely death, Marie-Claire did just that, traveling widely to teach it to thousands of people, who then taught it to thousands of others.
During her visitations at Kibeho, the Holy Virgin revealed that this Chaplet or “Little Rosary” as it is lovingly called, possesses immense spiritual power for those who say it sincerely. She promised that when prayed with an open and repentant heart, this Rosary would win us the Lord’s forgiveness for our sins and free souls from guilt and remorse. She also promised over time, this Rosary would develop within us a deep understanding of why we sin, and that knowledge would give us the wisdom and strength to change or remove any internal flaws, weaknesses of character, or personality faults causing unhappiness and keeping us from enjoying the joyous life God intended for us to live.
During one of her many apparitions to Marie-Claire, the Holy Virgin suggested that it be prayed as often as possible, but especially on Tuesdays and Fridays: Tuesday being the day Our Lady first appeared to Marie-Claire, and Friday being the day Christ was crucified. The Blessed Mother also stressed that the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows is intended to complement—and in no way replace—the traditional rosary. Pray both rosaries regularly and you’ll be doubly blessed!
This rosary recalls the seven major sorrows that the Virgin Mary suffered through—albeit with love and compassion—during the life, trials, and agonizing death of her son, Jesus Christ. It’s very special to the immaculate heart of the Blessed Mother, and she wants all of us to pray it as often as possible.
There are seven promises granted to the souls who honor Her daily by praying seven Hail Mary’s while meditating on Our Lady’s Tears and Sorrows. These seven promises were revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden:
1. “I will grant peace to their families.”
2. “They will be enlightened about the divine Mysteries.”
3. “I will console them in their pains, and I will accompany them in
their work.”
4. “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.”
5. “I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy
and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.”
6. “I will visibly help them at the moment of their death — they will see
the face of their Mother.”
7. “I have obtained this grace from My divine Son, that those who
propagate this devotion to My tears and sorrows will be taken directly
from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be
forgiven and My Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.”
We pray this “Little Rosary” to learn to suffer with love, as Mary, the Mother of Jesus, did. The 7 Sorrows Rosary leads us to understand our suffering, sins, and sorrows. Doing so helps us better live a life of joy in the Lord so that we can serve others. As we pray with Mary through her seven sorrows, we begin to feel empathy for her suffering, the suffering of her Son, our Savior, our neighbors, and our own.
This Rosary can be prayed at anytime, anywhere, in any season of life. We can even dedicate our prayer to the suffering of a friend, family member, ourselves, or the world. We pray this devotion when we need the guidance of the Blessed Virgin and when we need to remind ourselves of the joy that comes out of suffering in this life.
It is also common to pray this Rosary on September 15th, the Feast Day of Our Lady of Sorrows.
How to Pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary
- Begin
In the name of The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Amen.
- Pray
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.
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.
- Say 3 Hail Marys.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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.
- Pray
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
- The First Sword of Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon
Luke 2:34-35
And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed”. - Pray
Beloved Mother Mary, whose Heart suffered beyond bearing because of us, teach us to suffer with you and with love, and to accept all the suffering God deems it necessary to send our way. Let us suffer, and may our suffering be known to God only, like yours and that of Jesus. Do not let us show our suffering to the world, so it will matter more and be used to atone for the sins of the world. You, Mother, who suffered with the Savior of the world, we offer you our suffering, and the suffering of the world, because we are your children. Join those sorrows to your own and to those of the Lord Jesus Christ, then offer them to God the Father. You are a Mother greater than all.
Now, pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Marys.
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
- The Second Sword of Sorrow: The Flight Into Egypt
Matthew 2:13-14
When they had departed, behold, 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.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. - Pray
Beloved Mother, who has suffered so much, give to us your courageous heart. Please pray for us to have strength so that we can be brave like you and accept with love the suffering God sends our way. Help us to also accept all the suffering we inflict upon ourselves and the suffering inflicted upon us by others. Heavenly Mother, you, in union with Jesus, purify our suffering so that we may give glory to God and save our souls.
Now, pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Marys.
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
- The Third Sword of Sorrow: The Loss of Jesus in the Temple
Luke 2:43-45
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. - Pray
Beloved Mother, teach us to accept all our sufferings because of our sins and to atone for the sins of the whole world.
Now, pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Marys.
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
- The Fourth Sword of Sorrow: Mary Meets Jesus on His Way to Calvary
Luke 23:27-29
A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed’. - Pray
Beloved Mother, so stricken with grief, help us to bear our own suffering with courage and love so that we may relieve your Sorrowful Heart and that of Jesus. In doing so, may we give glory to God Who gave you and Jesus to humanity. As you suffered, teach us to suffer silently and patiently. Grant unto us the grace of loving God in everything. O Mother of Sorrows, most afflicted of all mothers, have mercy on the sinners of the whole world.
Now, pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Marys.
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
- The Fifth Sword of Sorrow: Mary Stands at the Foot of the Cross
John 19:25-27
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, 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 into his home. - Pray
Beloved Mother, Queen of the Martyrs, give us the courage you had in all your sufferings so that we may unite our sufferings with yours and give glory to God. Help us follow all His commandments and those of the Church so that Our Lord’s sacrifice will not be in vain, and all sinners in the world will be saved.
Now, pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Marys.
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
- The Sixth Sword of Sorrow: Jesus is Taken Down From the Cross
John 19:32-34
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. - Pray
We thank you, Beloved Mother, for your courage as you stood beneath your dying Child to comfort Him on the Cross. As our Savior drew His last breath, you became a wonderful Mother to all of us; you became the Blessed Mother of the world. We know that you love us more than our own earthly parents do. We implore you to be our advocate before the Throne of Mercy and Grace so that we can truly become your children. We thank you for Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer, and we thank Jesus for giving you to us. Please pray for us, Mother.
Now, pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Marys.
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
- The Seventh Sword of Sorrow: The Burial of Jesus
John 19:41-42
Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by. - Pray
Most Beloved Mother, whose beauty surpasses that of all mothers, Mother of Mercy, Mother of Jesus, and Mother to us all, we are your children and we place all our trust in you. Teach us to see God in all things and all situations, even our sufferings. Help us to understand the importance of suffering, and also to know the purpose of our suffering as God had intended it.
You yourself were conceived and born without sin, were preserved from sin, yet you suffered more than anybody else. You accepted suffering and pain with love and with unsurpassed courage. You stood by your Son from the time He was arrested until He died. You suffered along with Him, felt His every pain and torment. You accomplished the Will of God the Father; and according to His will, you have become our Mother.We beg you, dear Mother, to teach us to do as Jesus did. Teach us to accept our cross courageously. We trust you, most Merciful Mother, so teach us to sacrifice for all the sinners in the world. Help us to follow in your Son’s footsteps, and even to be willing to lay down our lives for others.
Now, pray 1 Our Father and 7 Hail Marys.
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
- Closing 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.
Mary, who was conceived without sin and who suffered for us, pray for us. (Pray 3 times)
In the name of The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Amen.
One of the greatest sorrows of our Mother expressed by the saints and written in the City of God by Mother Mary Agreda is this: IT IS THE FORESEEN INGRATITUTE OF THE FAITHFUL FOR THE PASSION OF OUR DEAREST LORD! There was St. John, St. Mary Magdalen and Herself at the Foot of the Cross …. where were the rest? — Are we at the Foot of the Cross?
- Begin
May we place ourselves in the Immaculate Heart of Mary for safety knowing that whatever we are to endure … we can offer in reparation and in expiation … with the hope of a life eternal in Heaven with Jesus and Mary.
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