Rachel Evans
The Seven Sorrows of Mary, also known as the Dolors, are seven specific events in the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus, that caused her great sorrow. The devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows developed in the 11th century, particularly in Mediterranean areas. The Servite Order, founded in the 13th century in Tuscany, dedicated themselves to the Sorrowful Mother and promoted devotion to her Sorrows. The Seven Sorrows are often depicted in art and are the subject of key works of Catholic Marian art. The purpose of the devotion is to promote union with the sufferings of Christ and to learn to suffer with love, as Mary did.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Devotion | To promote union with the sufferings of Christ |
| Feast day | 15 September |
| Rosary | Seven Sorrows Rosary, also called the Servite Rosary |
| Rosary prayers | Seven decades of seven Hail Marys in honour of each of her Sorrows |
| Rosary's origin | Revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden by Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows |
| Devotion's origin | The Servite Order, founded in the 13th century in Florence |
| Iconography | Our Lady of Seven Sorrows is depicted in a sad and anguished mode, with tears and sadness |
| Also depicted with seven swords in her heart, a reference to the prophecy of Simeon |
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What You'll Learn
Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows
The Seven Sorrows are:
- The Prophecy of Simeon: "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:25-35).
- The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-14).
- The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:43-45).
- Mary meeting Jesus on the Way of the Cross (Luke 23:27-29).
- The Crucifixion (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19).
- Jesus being taken down from the Cross (John 19:25-30).
- The Burial of Jesus (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19).
The purpose of devotion to the Seven Sorrows is to promote union with the sufferings of Christ. Devotees are encouraged to contemplate the Sorrows daily and to pray seven Hail Marys in honour of each Sorrow. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary promised that anyone who recites the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows while meditating will find "the strength to repent", along with other graces.
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The Seven Sorrows Rosary
The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows dates back to the fourteenth century when Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, appeared to St. Bridget of Sweden and revealed this Rosary devotion to her. St. Bridget devoted her life to following in the footsteps of Christ and caring for people in need. The Rosary became popular again following the Marian apparitions in Kibeho, Rwanda, in the 1980s. During these apparitions, Mary appeared to Marie-Claire Mukangango and asked her to reintroduce this special Rosary to the world. Marie-Claire was killed in the Rwandan genocide of over a million people.
The seven sorrows or "dolors" are particular events in the life of Mary that caused excessive sorrow in her Immaculate Heart. These events are:
- The Prophecy of Simeon in Luke 2, or the Circumcision of Jesus.
- Mary meeting Jesus on the Via Dolorosa, the Fourth Station of the Cross.
- The Crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Calvary.
- Jesus's Descent from the Cross.
- The Burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea.
- The Flight into Egypt and their sojourn there.
- The Piercing of the Swords.
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The Black Scapular of the Seven Dolours of Mary
The Servite Order, or the Order of the Servants of Mary, was founded in 1233 by seven youths in Tuscany. In 1239, they took up the sorrows of Mary standing under the Cross as their principal devotion. According to Alphonsus Liguori in his book "The Glories of Mary", Mary appeared to the seven founders and presented them with a black "garment of mourning", telling them to meditate upon her dolors.
In 1255, Pope Alexander IV sanctioned the Servite Order, and it gained many followers devoted to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. These followers became the Confraternity of the Seven Dolours of Mary and began to wear a black scapular habit like that of the order. In 1611, the confraternity and the Black Scapular received indulgences from Pope Paul V.
There are no prescriptions regarding the ornamentation or design of the Black Scapular, except that it must be made of black cloth, usually woollen. Typically, the front of the scapular features an image of Our Lady of Sorrows, depicting Mary with seven swords piercing her heart, a reference to the prophecy of Simeon.
To become a member of the confraternity and wear the Black Scapular, one must be baptised and willing to undertake certain obligations. These obligations include wearing the scapular at all times, praying for 15 minutes daily for the Servite Order and the Church (including at least one "Hail Mary" and one "Hail Holy Queen"), and performing works of mercy for those suffering physically, mentally, or spiritually. Members of the confraternity benefit from participation in the life of the Servite Order, a share in their prayers and works, and the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the life of Christ and His mother.
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The prophecy of Simeon
According to the Bible passage, Simeon met Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem. He had been promised by God that he would meet the Messiah before his death. Simeon recognised Jesus as the Messiah and, taking him in his arms, delivered a prophecy about his life and mission.
Simeon's prophecy revealed that Jesus would be a source of controversy and opposition. He foretold that Jesus would be "set for a sign that will be contradicted" (Luke 2:34). This meant that Jesus' teachings and identity as the Son of God would be rejected and disputed, leading to his cruel death.
Mary, a woman of deep faith, accepted Simeon's prophecy with love and trust in God's plan, even though it foretold great sorrow. This moment is significant as it showcases Mary's strength and devotion, setting an example for believers on how to face suffering with faith and resilience.
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Mary's love and courage
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is revered for her boundless love and unwavering courage in the face of immense sorrow. Her devotion to her son and her willingness to embrace suffering with love and compassion serve as a source of strength and inspiration for Catholics worldwide.
Mary's love for Jesus was both maternal and divine. As the Virgin Mother of God, she embodied a unique combination of natural and supernatural love. Her Immaculate Heart, free from even the slightest hint of self-love, was a wellspring of astonishing love and compassion. This profound love was intimately connected to her capacity for suffering, as those who love deeply also experience grief and sorrow intensely.
The Seven Sorrows of Mary, also known as the "Dolors," are significant events in her life that caused her immense grief. These events, found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, include:
- The Prophecy of Simeon: Simeon foretold that Mary's soul would be pierced by a sword of sorrow as her son would be a sign of contradiction (Luke 2:34-35).
- The Flight into Egypt: An angel warned Joseph and Mary to flee to Egypt with the infant Jesus to escape King Herod, who sought to kill him (Matthew 2:13-14).
- The Loss of Jesus in the Temple: Mary and Joseph anxiously searched for the young Jesus, only to find him teaching in the temple, amazing the teachers with his wisdom (Luke 2:41-50).
- Mary meeting Jesus on the Via Dolorosa: Mary encountered her son carrying his cross on the way to Calvary, witnessing the outrage committed against him (Luke 23:26-31).
- The Crucifixion of Jesus: Mary stood by the cross, sharing in her son's agony and suffering (Matthew 27:33-56, Mark 15:21-39, Luke 23:33-49, John 19:17-30).
- The Descent from the Cross: Mary received the body of her son after his death and felt the weight of his sacrifice (Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42).
- The Burial of Jesus: Mary witnessed the burial of her son by Joseph of Arimathea, entrusting his body to the tomb (Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-55, John 19:38-42).
These sorrows, depicted in art and commemorated through devotions like the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows, remind Catholics of Mary's unwavering courage and profound love. Her strength in the face of adversity and her ability to embrace suffering with love inspire believers to turn to her for consolation and guidance in their own trials.
Through the Rosary and other devotions, Catholics honor Mary's love and courage, seeking to emulate her trust in God, even in the darkest moments. Her example teaches them to surrender to God's will, to trust in His plan, and to love Christ deeply, even in the midst of sorrow and suffering.
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