Sorrowful & Immaculate Heart of Mary Pray For Us!
OUR LADY OF SORROWS NOVENA PRAYERS
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
For a Particular Grace
O most blessed Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, you stood generously beneath the cross and felt the sword of sorrow pierce your soul. Look now with a mother’s understanding and tenderness, as I kneel before you to commemorate your sorrows, and to present my petition to you with childlike confidence. I beg of you, O Mother, to plead for me with your Son, so to touch his Sacred Heart, that I may obtain my request… (here pause to make your request)… For to whom shall I turn in my time of need, if not to you, O Mother of Mercy, who having so deeply drunk the chalice of your Son, can surely tell Him of my needs. Amen.
For a Happy Death
O Mary, my sweet mother, you witnessed the death of your Son on the cross. Intercede for me at the hour of my death. Be my comfort at that hour. Ask your Son to grant, in His infinite mercy, that I may die saying with my last breath: “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.” Amen.
For Our Sick Relatives and Friends
Queen of Martyrs and Mother of Consolation, you felt the sword of sorrow when your Son Jesus was raised upon the cross. Pray for these sick persons… (here pause to make your request) … that they may by your powerful intercession be cured of their illness, and thus we may both in time and eternity give you heartfelt thanks. Amen.
For Our Beloved Dead
O most Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear mother, I turn to you in prayer, and beseech your help for the holy souls who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, particularly those for whom we now pray… (here pause to make your request)… Mother of Sorrows, for the love of your Divine Son, whose precious blood was shed for us, pray for our beloved dead, and pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
An Act of Consecration to the Sorrowful Mother
Holy Mary, Mother of God and Queen of Martyrs, I do this day choose you as my model, protectress, and advocate. Receive me as your special servant, as a partaker in your sufferings. Give me strength always to remain close to Jesus your Son who died on the cross for me. Accept every good work that I may perform and offer it to your Son for me. Dear Mother, stand by me in all my actions, that they may be directed to the glory of God. Amen.
An Act of Contrition
O Mother of Sorrows, how ungrateful have I been in the past to my loving God. Now, I repent, humbly asking pardon for the offence done to God in His infinite goodness, and I resolve by the help of His grace to offend Him no more. Obtain for me that I may live and die in the love of my Lord and share eternally in that glory which He has won for me through His death and resurrection. Amen.
THE FIRST SORROW:
MARY ACCEPTS IN FAITH THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON
Meditation
Her heart filled with joy, Mary presents her Son Jesus in the temple. Simeon accepts Him in his arms and utters his harsh prophecy: “This Child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed — and you yourself shall be pierced with a sword — so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare.” Consider how we so often neglect Christ and His mother as we forget their sufferings for us.
Prayer
Holy Mary, you know better than anyone that those who love much will suffer much. Simeon’s prophecy let you see the cruel reception that some would give to your Son’s message of love and justice. In our day, we can hardly fail to worry about the clouds of uncertainty that hang over our life and to be anxious about those we love. The future sometimes frightens us. When we are discouraged or afraid, share with us your confidence in the words of the angel Gabriel: “Nothing Is impossible with God.” Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, etc.
Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us.
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THE SECOND SORROW:
MARY FLEES INTO EGYPT WITH JESUS AND JOSEPH
Meditation
With Joseph and her Child, Mary must flee into Egypt. She endures the hardships of a long journey and becomes a stranger in a strange land in order to protect her Divine Son from those who would destroy Him. How often sin drives Christ from our hearts, but His absence leaves us cold and indifferent.
Prayer
Holy Mary, you learned through the message of an angel how precious was the life within you. Later, at the message of another angel, you fled with Joseph to a foreign land to defend that precious gift of life. Holy Mother of God, the forces that threatened the life of the Infant God still abound today. Whenever a child is abused or abandoned, an elderly person neglected, or an immigrant unfairly treated, that is really Jesus who is abused or neglected or unjustly treated. Yet we know from your example that we can take action to protect life. Your willingness to face change in your life for the sake of the kingdom of God calls us to change our lives so as to rid ourselves of sinful habits, to show greater respect for the sift of life, and to offer hospitality to the stranger and the exile. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, etc.
Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us.
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THE THIRD SORROW:
MARY SEEKS JESUS LOST IN JERUSALEM
Meditation
Into the life of Mary comes the surprising disappearance of her Son. For three days His loss brings her agonizing sorrow. How unlike Mary are we in our careless attitude toward the presence of Jesus in our lives. Certainly we can determine now to remain united with Him as we turn to Mary in her sorrow and say with compunction:
Prayer
Holy Mary, our hearts are often divided, our lives distracted as we seek after many things. Sometimes we hardly know what we are seeking, with so many voices calling us in so many directions. Your every desire, most holy mother, was to do God’s will in all things. You Son has promised that those who seek first the Kingdom of God will be given all things besides. Help us to turn our hopes and desires more fully to God. Give us that same sense of urgency you had to repair broken relationships and to live in unity with all of God’s creation. Enable us to be peacemakers when anger or stubbornness threatens to divide our family. Through the power of the Spirit dwelling within us, may we be constant in prayer; and may the promises made to the pure of heart be ours. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, etc.
Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us.
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THE FOURTH SORROW:
MARY MEETS JESUS ON THE WAY TO CALVARY
Meditation
This is the first Good Friday, and the Son of Man is condemned to crucifixion. As He makes His painful way to Calvary He meets His mother. Mary sees her Son bruised, derided, cursed, deified, and her heart almost breaks as she follows Him to sure death. Whenever I sin I too scoff at Jesus Christ and add weight to His Cross and to the sorrows of His mother.
Prayer
Although many followers of Jesus fled at the first sign of trouble, you chose to remain and share His pain, most faithful Virgin. You were willing to follow your Son wherever He went, even to His place of crucifixion. How terrible to be part of such a public spectacle, to hear the jeers and taunts of the crowd, to find yourself helpless against the false accusations of the mighty and the powerful. Often we want to flee the cross and avoid those who are suffering today. Help us, most courageous woman, to overcome our fear of suffering and help us accept the fact that faithfulness to Jesus means that what we say and do many not always be popular. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, etc.
Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us.
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THE FIFTH SORROW:
MARY STANDS NEAR THE CROSS OF HER SON
Meditation
The passion reaches its climax. Mary stands near her dying Son unable even to touch Him. She hears Him sob “I thirst” and is helpless to minister to Him. He promises heaven to a thief and forgives His enemies. His last words directed to us center on His own mother, “Behold your mother.” Let us resolve always to look upon Mary as our mother and remember that a mother never fails her child.
Prayer
Holy Mary, how hard it is to watch a loved one suffer and the; yet you remained at the foot of the cross for three long hours. Then, as you were losing everything that mattered to you, you agreed to become our mother. It seems impossible to imagine that in your darkest hour of grief you would take on more responsibility, as mother to all the wandering children of Eve – we who so often ignore the teaching and example of your Son. How great is your love for us! Teach us, loving mother, to stand with you beneath the crosses of those who suffer today. Even when we can do so little and want to do so much, let us know that our simple presence to those who suffer is a sign of love and a great act of worship to our most forgiving Father. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, etc.
Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us.
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THE SIXTH SORROW:
MARY RECEIVES THE BODY OF JESUS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS
Meditation
From the lips of Jesus comes the bitter complaint, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” and the final pronouncement, “It is finished.” His passion and death are over, but His Mother dies a thousand deaths when she holds His Body in her arms and relives those three long hours of torture. So great was Mary’s love for her Son that we will never fully appreciate her sorrows, but we can sympathize with her in her grief.
Prayer
Holy Mary, as we gaze upon your serenity as you hold the dead body of your Son in your arms, you give us new hope when our life seems hopeless. Even when it looked as if all were lost, you continued to believe that the promises God had made long ago would be fulfilled. You knew that somehow, some way, God would bring something wonderful out of the darkest moment in human history. Mary, when we must face death ourselves, may we have that same sense of resignation that we see in you, confident that we are simply passing to a greater joy and a greater love. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, etc.
Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us.
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THE SEVENTH SORROW:
MARY PLACES THE BODY OF JESUS IN THE TOMB
Meditation
The most tragic day in history ends, and all that is left for the Mother is to accompany her Son’s body to the grave. For the last time she looks upon her Son and in remembrance her grief knows no bounds. She remains alone, the last of the Holy Family. Certainly, we who know the meaning of suffering can mourn with Mary in her great sorrow.
Prayer
Loving Mother, as you handed over the body of your Son to be buried, you were allowing God’s plan of salvation to continue with the resurrection on Easter morning. Death to self and sin remains the only road to eternal life; but we are so slow to learn from your example, so hesitant to trust in God’s love. How often do we try to control the actions of God! How impatient and anxious are we when what we think ought to happen does not happen! How frequently do we hold on to what little we have for fear that we will be left with nothing!
Mary, your time of suffering is now over and your joy complete. Yet we see how the world still groans and is in agony waiting for the fullness of salvation. Help us to continue to work and pray for a more just world. May no more mothers know the grief that you knew. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, etc.
Virgin Most Sorrowful, pray for us.
BLESSING OF THE SICK
Let us stand together with St. Peregrine and the Sorrowful Mother and pray a blessing for the sick and suffering.
Our help is in the name of the Lord who alone made heaven and earth.
O Lord, hear my prayer and let my cry come to you.
Lord and Father, almighty and eternal God, by your blessing You give us strength and support in our frailty: turn with kindness toward your suffering servants. Free them from all illness and restore them to health, so that in the sure knowledge of your goodness, they will gratefully bless your Holy Name.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Our Father who art in heaven…
May Our Lord Jesus Christ be with us that He may defend us: be within us that He may preserve us; precede us that He may guide us; follow us that He may guard us; be over us that He may bless us: for He lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
May the blessing of Almighty God., Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, descend upon us and remain forever. Amen.
Mother of Sorrows, pray for us.
CONCLUDING PRAYERS
Our Father, who art in heaven…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
Glory be to the Father…
The Memorare.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored, your help, and sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, My Mother. To you I come; before you I stand sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
LITANY OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS
– Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
– Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
– Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us.
– Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father in heaven, have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us
Holy Spirit, Paraçlete, have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us
Mother of the crucified, pray for us.
Mother of the pierced heart, pray for us.
Mother of the Redeemer, pray for us.
Mother of the redeemed, pray for us.
Mother of all the living, pray for us.
Mother of disciples, pray for us.
Obedient Virgin, pray for us.
Prayerful Virgin, pray for us.
Faithful virgin, pray for us.
Virgin of silence, pray for us.
Virgin of forgiveness, pray for us.
Virgin of contemplation, pray for us.
Woman of exile, pray for us.
Woman of strength, pray for us.
Woman of courage, pray for us.
Woman of sorrow, pray for us.
Woman of the new covenant, pray for us.
Woman of hope, pray for us.
New Eve, pray for us.
Disciple of the Redeemer, pray for us.
Servant of reconciliation, pray for us.
Defense of the innocent, pray for us.
Courage of the persecuted, pray for us.
Strength of the oppressed, pray for us.
Hope of sinners, pray for us.
Consolation of the afflicted, pray for us.
Refuge of the poor, pray for us.
Comfort of exiles, pray for us.
Support of the weak, pray for us.
Relief of the sick, pray for us.
Queen of martyrs, pray for us.
Glory of the Church, pray for us.
Virgin of Easter, pray for us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: forgive us, Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: hear us. Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
O God, you willed that the life of the Blessed Virgin be marked by the mystery of suffering. Grant that we journey with her on the way of faith and unite our sufferings to the passion of Christ so that they become occasions of grace and the promise of future resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
May the Virgin Mary protect us and lead us kindly on life’s journey.
Amen.