family prayer | Celebrating Marian feasts | Seven Sorrows | Our Lady of Sorrows
Catholic Mom contributor, Sherry Hayes-Peirce, shares a modern look at the Seven Sorrows of Mary, a devotion the Church promotes each September.
The Church calendar has many Marian feasts and devotions to celebrate Our Blessed Mother, most of which are to honor her “yes” response to accepting the Lord’s call to be Jesus’ mother. This month of September has been dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
Relating Our Own Experiences to Mary's Sorrows
Here are the Seven Sorrows, but I also share contemporary situations that mirror the sufferings of our Lady for you to meditate upon.
- The Prophecy of Simeon, that a sword would pierce Mary’s soul, foretold the suffering she would endure as the mother of Jesus (Luke 2:34-35). Think about a time or someone who learned news of a medical diagnosis that they will be suffering from.
- The Flight into Egypt. Mary and Joseph had to flee with baby Jesus from their homeland to escape King Herod’s mass murder of Jewish infant boys, enduring a life as refugees (Matthew 2:13-21). Think of those who are currently immigrants or refugees, having to leave their homeland today.
- The Loss of Jesus in the Temple. Mary and Joseph lost Jesus for three days while visiting Jerusalem, causing the couple to endure great fear and anguish until they found Him in the temple (Luke 2:41-50). Think of family and friends who have left the Church and how it causes you great sadness.
- Mary Meets Jesus on His Way to Calvary. Mary witnessed up close the suffering of her Son as He carried the Cross to the site of His Crucifixion (John 19:17). Think of those who serve as hospice nurses and those caring for a loved one at death’s door.
- The Crucifixion of Jesus. Mary endured the pain of watching her Son nailed to a cross and breathing His last (John 19:18-30). Think of the suffering of those in countries ravaged by war who will see their children die of hunger or gunshot wounds.
- Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross. Mary endured the pain of holding the lifeless body of her Son (John 19:39-40). Think of the many images of mothers and fathers cradling their dead children.
- The Burial of Jesus. Mary endures the final goodbye of seeing His earthly remains sealed in a tomb (John 19:39-42). Think of when you or someone you care about had to leave a loved one at the cemetery. Do you remember the pain?
I invited you to think of contemporary situations that mirror the suffering of our Blessed Mother.
The iconography of this dedication reflects seven swords through the body of the Blessed Mother, and for some, it's too much to see and imagine her experiencing such pain. I get that!
However, the fact remains that all that she experienced was so painful, and she knew it was coming, and she still said “yes.” Praying for her intercession when we are suffering is powerful.
The History of the Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows
I love reading articles from Aleteia.org about the who, what, why, when, where, and how of our Catholic practices. The Servite Order established a novena to the Seven Sorrows of Mary or Via Matris in Florence, Italy, circa 1233, and it’s listed on the list of popular piety and liturgy. When the Order came to America, they built Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Chicago and prayed the first Novena to the Seven Sorrows of Mary on January 8, 1937. The novena consisted of the Via Matris (stations of the Seven Sorrows of Mary), six prayers culled from the ancient Servite Manual, two hymns to Our Blessed Mother, the Memorare, and the Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
While many have the tradition of praying this novena in advance of the Feast Day of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15, from September 7-14; however, this novena can be prayed any time you need our Lady’s intercession when you or someone you love is challenged with suffering.
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Copyright 2025 Sherry Hayes-Peirce