Monthly Devotion: Our Sorrowful Mother

Photo Credit: Our Sorrowful Mother's Ministry

Holy Mother Church tenderly dedicates the month of September to the Sorrowful Heart of Mary, as two beautiful feast days (among many) fall during this month - the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows. 

During this month, a good practice to bring about devotion to the Sorrowful Heart of Mary is to pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary (Dolors Rosary) - a historical practice which did not replace the Rosary with its Mysteries, but importance was reiterated in the by Our Lady in the apparition in Kibeho. You can view below for instructions on how to pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary. 

Let us entrust ourselves to the Blessed Mother under her title as Our Lady of Sorrows, asking her to draw us into her pierced heart, that we may grow in a deeper understanding of the sorrows she experienced, and that we may have a greater sorrow for sin. 

Our Sorrowful Mother, pray for us!

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The Seven Sorrows Rosary

As one would meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary, the Seven Sorrows Rosary meditates on the seven sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, beginning with an Our Father and seven Hail Mary's. A scriptural approach can also be applied to this rosary, by reading the accounts of each sorrow found in Holy Scripture. ​

The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady

1. The prophecy of Simeon
   (Luke 2:22-35)
2. The flight into Egypt
   (Matthew 2:13-15)
3. The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple (Luke 2: 41 - 52)
4. The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross (Luke 23:27 - 31)
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19: 25-27)
6. The taking down of  Jesus from the cross and placing Him in Mary's arms (John 19: 38 - 40)
7. The burial of Jesus (John 19: 41-42)

Our Lady of Kibeho

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 . . . 

Prayer recited at the end of each decade:
​Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.