The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary (or Sorrows of Our Lady ) refer to the seven major events in the life of the Virgin Mary where she suffered particularly as the mother of Jesus. These sorrows reflect the trials she endured while witnessing the Passion and death of her Son.
Devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary is a precious practice in the Catholic Church, especially for those who seek to deepen their union with the Mother of God and to meditate on her sufferings in connection with the mystery of redemption. The liturgical feast of the Seven Sorrows of Mary is celebrated on September 15 , the day after the Feast of the Glorious Cross.
I- Origin of the devotion to the Seven Sorrows
This devotion took root during the Middle Ages, notably with the Order of the Servants of Mary, founded in the 13th century. The Servites, or "Servants of Mary," promoted meditation on the Virgin's sorrows in relation to the sufferings of Christ. Through this devotion, believers are invited to sympathize with Mary's pains and to understand her unique participation in the plan of salvation.
The devotion to the Seven Sorrows aims to honor Mary, not only for her divine motherhood, but also for the suffering she endured as a compassionate mother and witness to the sufferings of Jesus.
II- The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary
1. The Prophecy of Simeon
Mary's first sorrow occurs at the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:25-35). Simeon, an elderly and righteous man, inspired by the Holy Spirit, recognizes in Jesus the promised Messiah. However, he also announces to Mary: "See, this child will be the fall and rise of many in Israel. He will be a sign of contradiction, and a sword will pierce your own soul." This prophecy is a foreshadowing of the future sufferings that Mary will have to endure, and it constitutes the first great test of her divine motherhood.
2. The Flight into Egypt
After Jesus is born, the angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream and commands him to flee to Egypt to escape the threat of Herod, who seeks to kill the child (Matthew 2:13–15). Mary and Joseph must hastily leave their home to protect Jesus, beginning an uncertain exile in a foreign land. This flight symbolizes not only the constant threat to Jesus' life, but also Mary's suffering, as she must live in fear and worry for her son.
3. The loss of Jesus in Jerusalem
When Jesus is twelve years old, Mary and Joseph go to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. When they return, they realize that Jesus is no longer with them. After three days of anxious searching, they find him in the Temple, talking with the doctors of the Law (Luke 2:41-50). Mary's pain in this situation reflects the anxiety of every parent who loses a child, but it also represents the first time she must accept that Jesus has a divine mission that goes beyond her role as mother.
4. The encounter with Jesus carrying his Cross
Mary meets her Son on the road to Calvary, carrying his cross on her wounded shoulders (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17). This moment is marked by unspeakable suffering for a mother who sees her child condemned to death and enduring inhuman pain. This brief and silent encounter expresses the full weight of maternal pain. She accepts, in absolute faith, the will of God, even if it means seeing her Son walk toward crucifixion.
5. The crucifixion and death of Jesus
The fifth sorrow is undoubtedly the most intense: Mary stands at the foot of the cross, witnessing the crucifixion and death of her Son (John 19:25-30). She watches Jesus suffer, nailed to the wood, humiliated and abandoned by most. Mary, by her silent and courageous presence, participates fully in the Passion of Christ. In this tragic moment, Jesus entrusts his mother to the beloved disciple John, thus symbolizing the universal motherhood of Mary, who becomes the Mother of all believers.
6. The descent of Jesus from the cross
After Jesus' death, his lifeless body was taken down from the cross and given to his mother (Matthew 27:57-59; John 19:38). This scene, depicted in Michelangelo's famous Pietà , expresses all the pain of Mary as she holds the inert body of her Son in her arms. It is a pain that transcends the physical: it is spiritual, a pain of a mother's heart over the unjust death of her child.
7. The burial of Jesus
Mary's final sorrow comes when she accompanies Jesus' body to the tomb and witnesses its burial (John 19:40-42). This final act of separation is the culmination of her suffering. Mary accepts in faith, albeit with deep sorrow, the death and burial of her beloved Son. Yet even in this darkness, she maintains hope in the promised resurrection.
III- Spiritual meaning of the Seven Sorrows
The Seven Sorrows of Mary are an invitation to meditate on the mystery of suffering and redemption. Through her participation in the sufferings of Christ, Mary shows us that pain, accepted in faith, can become a path to sanctification and salvation. She is a model for all Christians who, in their own trials, can turn to her for comfort and strength.
Each sorrow is a step in the redemptive mission of Jesus, and Mary participates fully in it, not only as a witness, but also as a mother, co-redemptrix, and model of faith ("co-redemptrix" does not mean that she is equal to Jesus in the work of salvation, Christ being the only Redeemer, but that she participates in it in a unique way, as a perfect disciple). Meditation on the sorrows of the Virgin allows the faithful to understand more deeply the mystery of the Passion of Christ and to enter into an intimate relationship with Mary, our Mother in faith.
IV- The practice of devotion to the Seven Sorrows
This devotion is often practiced through the recitation of a special rosary called the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows , where one meditates on each of Mary's sorrows by reciting an "Our Father" followed by seven "Hail Marys." This prayer is a way of uniting oneself with Mary's sufferings, and of asking her intercession in our own times of pain and trial.
Catholics are also encouraged to meditate on these sorrows every Friday, especially during Lent, a time when the sufferings of Christ and his mother are more intensely contemplated.
Conclusion
The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary are a powerful invitation to meditate on the mystery of suffering and redemption. Through her sufferings, Mary shows us the way of love, fidelity and compassion. For Catholics, this devotion is a way of uniting their own sufferings with those of the Mother of God, and of finding in her a model of faith and strength in trials.
