The title "Our Sorrowful Mother" and the associated devotion in the Roman Catholic Church refer to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her desolation as the Mother of Jesus Christ, who suffered and died on the Cross. This devotion emphasizes Mary's profound sorrow during the Passion and Crucifixion of her Son.

The Devotion

Overall, devotion to Our Sorrowful Mother encourages Christians to unite their own sufferings with those of Jesus and Mary, thus finding purpose and redemption in their personal trials. It continues to be a source of consolation and spiritual deepening for many believers around the world.

Origin of the Devotion:

The roots of the devotion to Mary under the aspect of her sorrows can be traced back to Scripture, particularly to the prophecy of Simeon during the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple (Luke 2:34–35), where he foretells that a sword would pierce Mary's soul.

Development of the Devotion:

Over the centuries, Church Fathers, saints, and theologians reflected on Mary's sorrows, with notable contributions from St. Bernard of Clairvaux and St. Anselm of Canterbury, who contemplated her suffering as part of the redemptive process.

Formalization of the Devotion:

The formal devotion to the Seven Sorrows (also known as the Dolors) of Mary began to take shape in the Middle Ages. Religious orders such as the Servites, officially known as the Order of the Servants of Mary, were instrumental in popularizing the devotion through practices such as the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows.

Iconography and Liturgical Representation:

Art and liturgy have played significant roles in the spread of the devotion to Our Sorrowful Mother. Mary is often depicted with seven swords piercing her heart, symbolizing her intense grief and mourning.

Papal Influence and Church Approval:

Several popes have promoted the devotion to the Seven Sorrows, understanding it as a powerful means to reflect on the price of redemption. Pope Pius VII, in the early 19th century, and Pope Pius X both granted indulgences to the faithful who practiced the devotion.

Present Day Devotion:

The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated on September 15th, following the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14th. Both feasts are intricately linked, highlighting the connection between Christ's suffering and Mary's sorrowful participation in His Passion.

Purpose of the Devotion:

Devotion to Our Sorrowful Mother serves as a reminder to the faithful of Mary's deep compassion, her participation in the salvific suffering of Christ, and her role as a model of faith and perseverance in the face of unimaginable pain.

The 7 Sorrows of Mary

These sorrows reflect Mary's deep participation in the redemptive suffering of Christ and her role as a figure of compassion and strength. They invite the faithful to consider the cost of love and sacrifice inherent in the Christian life.

1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34–35):

During the Presentation in the Temple, Simeon the Righteous prophesies to Mary that a sword would pierce her soul, signifying the future suffering of her Son, Jesus.

2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15):

Mary, along with Joseph, flees to Egypt with the infant Jesus to escape King Herod’s massacre of innocent infants, enduring the hardship and uncertainty as a refugee.

3. The Loss of Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2:41-52):

Mary experiences profound anguish when Jesus, at the age of twelve, is lost during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, only to be found three days later in the Temple.

4. Mary Meets Jesus on His Way to Calvary:

Mary encounters Jesus, burdened with the cross, on His way to His crucifixion, sharing in His suffering with a mother's sorrowful compassion.

5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-27):

Mary stands at the foot of the cross, witnessing the agony and death of her Son, fulfilling the prophecy of Simeon and enduring immense heartache.

6. Mary Receives the Body of Jesus:

Mary receives the lifeless body of Jesus taken down from the cross, holding Him in her arms, in a moment of profound grief and tenderness.

7. The Burial of Jesus (John 19:38-42):

Mary observes the burial of her Son, facing the finality of His death and the silence of the tomb, clinging to faith in the midst of darkness.

Promises of Devotion To Our Lady's Sorrows

These are the seven promises Our Lady made, through St. Bridget of Sweden, to those who are devoted to meditating on her Seven Sorrows:

I. “I will grant peace to their families.”

II. “They will be enlightened about the divine Mysteries.”

III. “I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.”

IV.“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.”

V. “I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.”

VI. “I will visibly help them at the moment of their death. They will see the face of their Mother.”

VII. “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.”

Our Lord’s Four Promises For Honoring Our Lady’s Sorrowful Heart

“That those who invoke the divine mother by her sorrows, before death will merit to obtain true repentance of all their sins.”

“That he will protect such in their tribulations, especially at the hour of death.”

“That he will impress upon them the memory of his passion, and that they shall have their reward for it in heaven.”

“That he will commit such devout servants to the hands of Mary, that she may dispose of them according to her pleasure and obtain for them all the graces she desires.”

Promises for Praying the 7 Sorrows Rosary

01.

With the recitation of the Seven Sorrows Rosary, the hardest hearts shall change, if you pray it for yourself or for others.

02.

By the recitation of the Seven Sorrows Rosary, you shall be freed from obsessions and addiction.

03.

This rosary when said from the heart, it will win us true repentance of our sins and free our souls from guilt and remorse.

04.

Those who say it often, especially on Tuesdays and Fridays, shall obtain clear understanding of their weaknesses and flaws causing them to sin and those things we don’t like about ourselves and thought were a part of our character, shall change.

05.