A Mother's Look at the Seven Sorrows

Bonnie Drury tries to imagine herself in Mary’s shoes as she prays the Seven Sorrows. Print and pray this original version of the Seven Sorrows devotion.

I learned about the Seven Sorrows of the Mother of God several years ago. I had wondered why Mary was called the greatest martyr. After realizing what she’d gone through as a mother, I understood. The more I prayed the Sorrows, the more personal it became. These are the images that come to mind as I feel the power of Our Mother’s grief and pray the Seven Sorrows in my own words. Pray with me and feel her pain. 

Sign of the Cross 

Help me, Holy Spirit, to experience Mary’s grief and have compassion. 

The Prophecy of Simeon 

My heart hurts for thee, O Mother of Sorrow, when you and Joseph presented Jesus at the Temple, according to the law of Moses. 

Simeon was thrilled to see the Messiah, the Redeemer, but he knew that your heart and soul would be pierced by the Sword of Sorrow. What a hard prophecy for a mother to carry with her, never knowing when it would come to pass.  

Hail Mary ...

The Flight into Egypt 

My heart hurts for thee, O Mother of Sorrow, when the angel told Joseph to flee with his family into Egypt because King Herod wanted to murder your Son. In his attempts, he slaughtered the Holy Innocents. 

How you must have grieved for those families. Did you hear their cries in the night?   

Hail Mary … 

The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple 

My heart hurts for thee, O Mother of Sorrow, when you realized Jesus was missing from the caravan. You and Joseph traveled a full day’s journey back to Jerusalem and searched for three more days. 

You didn’t know if your Son was alive or dead, had been captured and sold into slavery, or was simply lost and alone, wondering where you were. These images haunted you as your anxiety increased with every passing hour. 

Hail Mary … 

The Meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross 

My heart hurts for thee, O Mother of Sorrow, on that terrible day when you met Jesus carrying the Cross and knew that He was about to die. Every part of Him was torn and bloodied, and your heart shattered as you looked into one another’s eyes with so much love and pain. 

Hail Mary … 

The Crucifixion 

My heart hurts for thee, O Mother of Sorrow, as you stood at the foot of the Cross, and Jesus struggled to breathe and speak His final words. He thought of you, His beloved Mother, and asked John to care for you. He also gave you to us as Our Mother, and for this, we are eternally grateful. 

Hail Mary … 

The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross 

My heart hurts for thee, O Mother of Sorrow, as the soldier pierced Jesus’ side and heart with the lance, and you knew that He was dead. 

The disciples took Him down from the Cross and laid Him in your arms, as you’d held Him so many times as a child. Only this time, you could not comfort Him as your tears washed His battered face.  

Hail Mary … 

The burial of Jesus 

My heart hurts for thee, O Mother of Sorrow, when you had to bury your beloved Son. You said your tearful goodbyes and watched as the stone sealed the entrance to the tomb, blocking Jesus from view. Only then did your legs give way to your grief, and you echoed Our Savior’s words, “It is finished.” 

Hail Mary … 

Pray for us, O Mother of Sorrow. 

Dear Savior, we ask that we may follow in the footsteps of your Blessed Mother and always reside within the grace of Thy Will. Amen. 

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Copyright 2024 Bonnie Drury
Images: Pedro De Mena, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons