The Catholic Church honors Mary under many titles, but Our Lady of Sorrows highlights her unique role in salvation history. This title reflects her profound suffering as she shared in the Passion of her Son.
When Simeon held the Infant Jesus in the temple, he prophesied to Mary that a sword would pierce her soul. From that moment, her life was marked by sorrow—not despair, but a deep compassion united with God’s plan. Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows reminds us that Mary is not a distant figure, but a mother who understands grief, anguish, and heartbreak.
The Seven Sorrows of Mary
The first sorrow is the prophecy of Simeon in the Temple. As Mary presented the Child Jesus to God, Simeon declared that this Child would be destined for the rise and fall of many in Israel, and that a sword would pierce Mary’s own soul. From the very beginning of her motherhood, she knew suffering would be part of her mission.
The second sorrow is the flight into Egypt. Warned by an angel that Herod sought to kill the Infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph fled their home in haste. Leaving behind everything familiar, Mary endured the pain of exile and the constant fear of danger to protect her Son.
The third sorrow is the loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple. For three days, Mary and Joseph searched in anguish for their Son, fearing they had lost Him forever. When they finally found Him teaching among the scholars, Mary’s heart was filled with both relief and wonder, though her suffering had been deep.
The fourth sorrow is when Mary meets Jesus on the way to Calvary. As He carried the heavy Cross, bloodied and exhausted, Mary’s eyes met her Son’s. In that moment, her heart was crushed, yet she remained steadfast, sharing in His agony and offering Him her silent strength.
The fifth sorrow is the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Mary stood faithfully at the foot of the Cross as her Son was nailed and raised to die. She listened to His final words and watched His spirit leave His body. No mother’s heart could suffer more deeply than Mary’s did in that moment.
The sixth sorrow is when the lifeless body of Jesus was placed in Mary’s arms. Holding Him once again, but now broken and cold in death, she experienced a sorrow beyond measure. It was the grief of every mother multiplied, yet she held Him with the same love she had when He was a child.
The seventh sorrow is the burial of Jesus. Mary followed as His body was laid in the tomb, the stone rolled across the entrance. Though her soul was pierced with grief, she surrendered fully to God’s will, trusting that suffering would not be the end.
How to Practice the Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows
There are many ways Catholics can enter into this devotion. The most traditional practice is praying the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows, also called the Chaplet of Our Lady of Sorrows. This prayer is similar to the regular rosary but focuses on meditating on Mary’s sorrows while offering prayers in her honor.
Another way to live the devotion is to meditate daily on each of the sorrows, allowing one sorrow to shape prayer and reflection each day. Many also honor Our Lady on her feast, which is celebrated on September 15, the day after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Attending Mass on this day and offering flowers or candles before her image are powerful acts of devotion.
The devotion is also deeply personal. Every Catholic is encouraged to entrust his or her own sorrows to Mary, knowing that she understands the weight of human suffering and intercedes for her children. Tradition holds that Our Lady grants particular graces to those devoted to her sorrows, including peace within families, enlightenment about the mysteries of God, and strength in times of trial.
Why Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows Matters Today
In our world, suffering is often avoided or dismissed. Yet Our Lady of Sorrows shows us that suffering, when united with Christ, can be transformed into love. Standing at the Cross, Mary teaches us that no pain is wasted when it is offered to God.
Her sorrows are also an invitation to hope. Just as her grief at Calvary gave way to the joy of the Resurrection, so too can our trials become pathways to new life. By walking with Mary in her sorrows, we learn patience, compassion, and courage. Most of all, we discover that Our Lady of Sorrows is a mother who never abandons her children, but always leads them closer to Christ.