Most Catholics know how to pray the Rosary. But have you ever prayed the Seven Sorrows Chaplet?
September is traditionally dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and her feast falls on September 15, the day after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The placement is fitting: first the Church looks upon the Cross, and then she turns to the Mother who stood beneath it.
The Seven Sorrows Chaplet, sometimes called the Seven Sorrows Rosary, allows us to accompany Mary through seven moments of suffering in her life:
The Prophecy of Simeon
The Flight into Egypt
The Loss of Jesus in the Temple
Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
Mary Stands at the Foot of the Cross
Jesus Is Taken Down From the Cross
Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb
The chaplet is quite simple to pray. Begin with the Sign of the Cross and an opening prayer or Act of Contrition. Announce the first sorrow and spend a moment contemplating it. Pray one Our Father followed by seven Hail Marys, continuing to meditate upon that sorrow. Repeat for all seven sorrows, for a total of 49 Hail Marys. Different versions of the devotion use slightly different concluding prayers.
But don't let the number of prayers obscure what we're actually doing.
We are walking beside Mary as she walks beside Christ. We see the Child she loved threatened, lost, rejected, crucified, and finally laid in the tomb. And through her eyes, we learn something about remaining close to Jesus when following Him involves suffering.
That makes this a particularly meaningful devotion when we are carrying sorrows of our own.
Discover the Dark Amethyst Seven Sorrows Chaplet and meditate on Mary’s suffering and love. Give as a gift or use for your personal prayer and devotion. Find yours today at The Catholic Company!
