The rosary with seven septets dedicated to the suffering of our Blessed Mother goes back to the Middle Ages but gained new popularity following the Church-approved apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Kibeho, Rwanda in the 1980s. In her apparitions, Our Lady of Kibeho recommended that people pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows to obtain the favor of repentance. “More than ever, the world needs the Seven Sorrows Rosary.” (Visionary Marie Claire of Kibeho, Rwanda)
Prayers
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Introductory Prayer
My God, I offer You this Rosary for Your glory, so I can honor your Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin, so I can share and meditate upon her suffering. I humbly beg you to give me true repentance for all my sins. Give me wisdom and humility, so that I may receive all the indulgences contained in this prayer.
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, You who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, do penance, and amend my life. Amen
Three Hail Marys in Honor of the Tears of Our Sorrowful Mother
Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. (x3)
The First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon
Scripture: Luke 2:22-35
“When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Meditation:
Sorrowful Mother, as we reflect upon the prophecy spoken to you and Saint Joseph, please increase our trust and faith in our Heavenly Father in times of fear and uncertainty.
Prayers:
Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary (x7)
Most merciful Mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Second Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt
Scripture: Matthew 2:13-15
“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.”
Meditation:
Sorrowful Mother, as we reflect on your sufferings when you, Saint Joseph, and Baby Jesus had to flee out of fear, please soften our hearts to help those displaced by violence, war, and persecution.
Our Father
Hail Mary (x7)
Most merciful Mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Third Sorrow – The Loss of the Boy Jesus in the Temple
Scripture: Luke 2:41-51
“Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.”
Meditation:
Sorrowful Mother, as we reflect on your suffering and distress when the young Jesus was lost for three days, please increase the patience, kindness, and charity of us caretakers responsible for children, the sick, elderly, or disabled.
Our Father
Hail Mary (x7)
Most merciful Mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Fourth Sorrow – Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
Scripture: Luke 23:27-31
“And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never gave suck!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Meditation:
Sorrowful Mother, as we reflect on your suffering of seeing your only son, bruised and beaten, carrying the cross to his execution, please strengthen us as we carry our daily cross, especially when the weight feels unbearable.
Our Father
Hail Mary (x7)
Most merciful Mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Fifth Sorrow – Mary Stands at the Foot of the Cross
Scripture: John 19:25-27
“But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”
Meditation:
Sorrowful Mother, as we reflect on your sorrow of watching your beloved son suffocating to death in agony, please enter our hearts and homes as our Mother, so we can receive God’s grace, mercy, and blessing poured out from you.
Our Father
Hail Mary (x7)
Most merciful Mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Sixth Sorrow: Mary Receives the Dead Body of Jesus
Scripture: John 19: 38-40
“After this Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds’ weight. They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.”
Meditation:
Sorrowful Mother, as we reflect upon the sorrow when you received your beloved son’s body while mourning that his earthly life had ended, please comfort the hearts of us grieving the death of a loved one, especially our children, including the unborn.
Our Father
Hail Mary (x7)
Most merciful Mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Seventh Sorrow: Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb
Scripture: John 19:41-42
“Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.”
Meditation:
Sorrowful Mother, as we reflect upon your suffering of saying a final goodbye to your dearest son with the knowledge that you will face the remainder of your life without him, please heal our hearts wounded by loss from death, broken relationships, and disappointment; and help us be confident that God can transform us through our suffering in accordance with His perfect will.
Our Father
Hail Mary (x7)
Most merciful Mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
Closing Prayer
Queen of Martyrs, your heart suffered so much. I beg you, by the merits of the tears you shed in these terrible and sorrowful times, to obtain for me and all sinners of the world the grace of complete sincerity and repentance. Amen
O Mary, who was conceived without sin and who suffered for us, pray for us. (x3)
The Sign of the Cross
“If you say the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows and meditate on it well, you will find the strength you need to repent of your sins and convert your heart. Pray my Seven Sorrows to find repentance.” – A message from Our Lady of Kibeho
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