Commemorating Our Lady of Sorrows

Seven Swords Piercing the Sorrowful Heart of Mary in the Church of the Holy Cross,
Salamanca, Spain

On September 15th, the Roman Catholic Church commemorates the Solemnity of Our Lady of Sorrows. The feast grew in popularity during the 12th Century, but was not formally introduced until it was a regional feast in Cologne in 1423.  In 1482, the feast was put on the Church calendar as "Our Lady of Compassion".  In 1723, Pope Benedict XIII extended the feast to the entire Latin Church under the title: "Septem dolorum B.M.V.".  The Code of Rubrics issued by Pope St. John XXIII reduced Our Lady of Sorrows to a Commemoration.

The Friar Servants of Mary (a.k.a. The Servites) have been praying the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows since the 13th Century and thereby reflecting on the suffering of Mary in union with her Divine Son, Jesus Christ.

The Seven Dolores devotion was approved by Pope Pius VII in 1815.

1. The Dark Prophecy of Simeon at Jesus' presentation at the Temple  (LK 2:33-35)
2. The Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt (Mt 2: 13-15)
3. The Child Jesus Is Lost in the Temple (Lt 2: 41-52)
4. Jesus Encounters Mary on the Via Dolorosa (Jn: 19: 17)
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (Jn 19: 25-30)
6. Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross (Ps 25:15, Jn 19: 31-37)
7. Jesus Is Buried in the Tomb (Is 53:8, Jn 38:42)

The Friar Servants of Mary (a.k.a. The Servites) have been praying the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows since the 13th Century and thereby reflecting on the suffering of Mary in union with her Divine Son, Jesus Christ.