OUR LADY OF SORROWS

UNDERSTANDING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE

SEVEN SORROWS ROSARY

Br DOMINIC T NYAKUDYA
 FOREWORD

The Seven Sorrows Rosary is one of the devotions that little attention has been given to yet it
is more powerful and significant to the Christians` way of life. As Servants of Mary, we have
an obligation to spread this devotion and to teach people about our mother Mary and her
sorrows. Mary suffered a lot in her life because her life was inter-connected with the events
in the life of Jesus. The mysteries of the seven sorrows Rosary are the prime source of
understanding the relationship that exists between Mary, Jesus and humanity.

Reflection and meditation enables one to fully understand certain principles of life.
Understanding the significance of the seven sorrows Rosary can only be achieved if people
devote their time in reflection towards the seven sorrows. It is with great joy for me to state
that this book contains everything that one would like to know about the seven sorrows and
their meaning in the life of Mary and ours. Mary did not only suffer during the years Jesus
was alive but as a mother given to us by Jesus she continues to suffer in the way our lives are
shaped and the way our lives are lived. Mary is our mother and in us she finds either joy or
sorrow. It is therefore up to every individual to accept and appreciate the role of Mary in our
lives and be the reason for her happiness and glory in heaven.

Sr Sophia Nakazzi MSM

8TH December 2016

Solemnity of Immaculate Conception

 INTRODUCTION

When you are a parent and you always see your children fighting and failing to understand
each other you will never be at peace. This will bring sorrow and pain from your heart. This
is what we see in our loving mother Mary who is always seeing the confusion, sin and
suffering in the world. Our Blessed mother Mary revealed by her life that she was Our Lady
of Sorrows when she was here on earth in the physical body through the life of her son Jesus
and when she was assumed into heaven through the suffering of the world.

Many people are very familiar with the Dominican rosary and it has become more famous
than other devotions in the Church. There is the rosary of the seven sorrows of Our Lady
which many people are not familiar with but it communicates deeply to every Christian the
message from the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The way Mary suffered with Jesus from birth
to death was not just a historical phase but a spiritual reality to show the world the love God
has for his humanity. From all eternity God willed that Jesus be born of a virgin that is Mary
and she was sorely prepared for this from eternity. Our Lady is the perfect way to get to
understand and know Jesus. Mary knows Jesus in all ways and in our thirsty to know Jesus
Mary is the way.

The rosary of the seven sorrows presents all the activities that were taking place in the heart
of Mary and how these events influence our generation. Since on the foot of the cross Mary
was given to us to be our mother, everything she did and expected from Jesus she will do for
us and she also expects us to be holy like her first Son. It is easy when reading the bible to
conclude that Mary suffered from the birth of Jesus until his death but now she is in
happiness because Christ is alive. In as much as we are her children like Jesus, the sorrows
which she had because of Jesus are still in her heart because of our way of life. Mary our
mother still sees the scourging at the pillar in the way we sin, she still sees the sword piercing
the side of Jesus in the way we conduct ourselves. Our mother is a Lady of Sorrows for she is
a loving mother who does not receive love in return for her love for humanity.

This book is a point of retreat whereby it gives individuals a chance to sit down and reflect on
the seven sorrows of Our Lady. It gives people a chance to really know what is going on in
the heart of our loving mother Mary. Through her sorrows Mary teaches us how create joy in
the Sacred Heart of Jesus which we pain daily by our sins.
 HISTORY OF THE SEVEN SORROWS ROSARY

The rosary of the seven sorrows of Our Lady can be traced back to the Seven Holy Founders
of the Servite Order. It originated in the 13th Century when seven rich men left their wealth
and went to a quiet place to pray. They first went to Cafaggio but still did not find the silence
they needed and ended up in Monte Senario. This marked the foundation of the Order of the
Servants of Mary (Servites). Five years after these men had gathered they started wearing a
black habit as instructed to them by Mary through St Peter of Verona.

This is when the Servites started devoting their prayers to Our Lady of Sorrows and praying
the Seven Sorrows Rosary. The number seven is the symbol of fullness or completeness.
These seven sorrows which are derived from the Holy Scriptures recall the suffering of Mary
in the events of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. Before it received approval in 1668 the
Servites were already using it and spreading the devotion of Our Lady of Sorrows. It however
received approval later in the Church and became universal.

The Servite Rosary consists of a set of three beads and a medal at the beginning of the rosary
which are there in honour of the tears of Our Lady. It further consists of seven beads that
make up a set being divided by a small medal representing the sorrow. The beads are
supposed to be black a colour the Servites themselves use in honour of the sorrows as given
by Mary herself.

HISTORY OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS FEAST DAY

The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated on the 15th of September. As highlighted
above, the seven men who started the Servite Order took the sorrows of Mary as their
principal devotion and started wearing the black habit. In the year 1668 the Servites were
allowed to celebrate this feast but it was not universal. It became universal in the year 1814
when Pope Pius VII came from exile. After his exile the Pope extended the feast to the
universal Church. This feast day celebrates the sorrows of Mary because of the life events of
her son Jesus Christ. The Servites developed two principal devotions related to Our Lady of
Sorrows that is the Rosary of the seven sorrows and the Scapular of the seven Dolours of
Mary. This Scapular which is associated with the Servites is black in colour and made of
wool. It is a symbol of being one with Our Lady of Sorrows.
What are these Seven Sorrows?

There are two forms or sets of the seven sorrows of Our Lady according to the Servite prayer
book. However there are seven principal sorrows which this booklet will be discussing. These
Seven Sorrows are:

1. The prophecy of Simeon to Mary (Lk 2 vs 34-35)

2. Mary fleeing with Jesus to Egypt with Joseph (Mt 2 vs 13-14)
3. Mary seeking Jesus lost in Jerusalem (Lk 2 vs 43-45)
4. Mary meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary (Lk 23 vs 26-27)
5. Mary at the foot of the cross (Jn 19 vs 25-27)
6. Mary receiving the body of Jesus from the cross (Mk 15 vs 42-46)
7. Mary placing the body of Jesus in a tomb (Jn 19 vs 40-42)

These sorrows directly show how Mary was involved in the life of Jesus from birth to death
and awaiting the resurrection. It is clear that the history of salvation which had its fulfilment
in Christ left some indelible sorrowful marks in the heart of Our Lady. As Jesus was
proclaiming the kingdom facing rejection and suffering Mary our mother was also having the
pain of seeing her son going through great pain for the sake of the people. These sorrows are
like swords that really pierced the heart of Mary.

At the beginning of the gospel of Luke when the Shepherds came to welcome the baby Jesus
we learn of one character of Mary that is being contemplative and reflective, as for Mary,
she treasured all these words and continually pondered over them (Lk 2 vs 19). Jesus as the
main protagonist in the passion and death could not hide his sorrowful sacrifice of his life for
us. As for Mary, she endured the sorrows in her heart and they pained her even more than the
nail piercing the hand of Jesus. Psychologists and others who study human mind and
characters agree that pain which is shared or expressed in crying or other means is better than
that one kept in the heart. This therefore means Mary suffered very much for she had many
things disturbing her about Jesus from childhood to death but she was keeping to herself.

These seven sorrows are not only events in the life of Mary but in our lives too. Reflecting on
these sorrows helps us to shape our relationship with Jesus through the intercession of Mary.
First Sorrow: The prophecy of Simeon to Mary.

Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, Look! This child is destined to cause
the rise and fall of many in Israel. He will be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the
secret thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. As for you a sword shall pierce your heart
too (Lk 2 vs 34-35)

The prophecy of Simeon comes to Mary as another mystery for she had already had a child
through the power of the Holy Spirit and even after birth remained a virgin. The purpose of
the child Jesus which was not fully explained by the Angel Gabriel is revealed by Simeon.
Many people in Israel when they heard about the Messiah they expected a rich and a
powerful man who would fight their battles and redeem them from the Romans. Now Jesus
was born a poor boy with only a carpenter for a foster father. This same Jesus was going to be
a sign of contradiction some accepting and some rejecting. This phase of trying to
communicate the words of salvation to the people and them refusing even wanting to kill him
is the pain both Jesus and Mary would bear. After speaking about the mission of Jesus in
short, Simeon then ends by showing how Mary would also suffer with her son.

In the heart of Mary

This incident became a sorrow to our mother Mary in the sense that in her heart many things
started to take place and many unanswered questions were raised about Jesus. Mary as told
by Simeon now knew that she was going to suffer but the greatest confusion now was to
prepare suffering which you do not know. The words which were being spoken of a baby
Jesus were too heavy for a child of his age. Since at first Mary had accepted to be the bearer
of the son of God she was thus obliged to accept carrying whatever it was going to take in the
life of Jesus. Mary wondered and she now had a lot to think about because of Jesus. Mary
started feeling the emotional pain of having the son of God before Jesus was even able to
speak. She started having a picture of how the son she had was going to live and how he was
going to suffer and this suffering also torturing her.

Simeon`s prophecy in our lives

Many people think that the words of Simeon were specifically meant for Mary alone and she
lived to see their fulfilment in her life alone. There is an important dimension which we
should bear in mind as Christians when we read the prophecy of Simeon. Mary was going to
suffer and a sword piecing her heart not because of her own actions but because of the life of
her beloved son Jesus. It is not always in life that we are affected by our own actions but
greatly by the actions of others and this we cannot avoid. We have leaders at different levels
in our social, religious and political lives. These people may make decisions that can affect
our lives directly and even their actions can result in our calamities. This can even affect our
families which we come from. A parent can live a careless life and die leaving pain and
burden to innocent orphans. Life in itself is like a web, it connects us all to everyone not only
making us independent in all. As Christians we are called to embrace sorrow not from a
negative point of view but from a positive point which gives us courage and hope in the
benefits of endurance. When Mary heard about what was to happen to Jesus she did not lose
hope in Jesus but continued her duty until the end.

Seeing beyond the physical realm

Beloved in Christ, when pain and sorrow defines themselves in your life the only true hope
you can have is to see the good that is beyond the sorrows. Our physical bodies feel pain; our
physical eyes see destruction and the end but spiritual eyes sees beyond these things.
Probably it is important to our faith to imagine that Mary even though she knew the suffering
that was ahead of her son and herself, the power of salvation was the one that gave her
courage. The joy of the resurrection rubbed all the pains she had in bringing up Jesus and in
his ministry.

Faithful to our call as Christians we are supposed to be people full of hope even when life is
covered with sorrow and pain. The way Mary suffered is the way some of us suffer in daily
life. Some were told that they will never be successful; some were told that they will never
pass in school; some were told that they will never get married; some were told that they are
good for nothing among many other things. In hearing these words think first of Mary before
yourself.

Know yourself in times of sorrow

All the words that were being spoken about Jesus to Mary were really frightening and Mary
herself to know that she was going to suffer because of Jesus was a sorrow. However Mary
knew herself and all other things that were going to happen were nothing as compared to
what she is that is, full of grace the Lord is with you When you know yourself as a
Christian what God has really given you in life you will never fear to face any situation of
life. Baptism brought us graces that can make us great if we fully come to realise our
potentials in Christ. Just by being Christians we have a lot that we can do if our faith is strong
in him. Mary was never discouraged to face life with her son even in the face of suffering
because she knew that the fullness of grace was pleased to dwell in her.

Jesus said, He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who refuses to believe will be
condemned. Signs like these will accompany those who believe: in my Name they will cast
out demons and speak new languages; they will pick up snakes in their hands and, if they
drink anything poisonous they will not be hurt. They will lay hands on the sick and they will
be healed. (Mk 16 vs 16-18) If you know that you believe and you are a Christian then know
that in the name of Christ you can do anything in faith. Whatever life affords if you know
yourself you will realise that in Christ no amount of suffering or sorrow is too great for Jesus
to soothe.

Silence is not a weakness in life

Nowadays we are living in a world whereby people believe in arguments and presenting
facts. When Simeon told Mary about Jesus and herself she did not ask anything but rather she
resorted to keeping quiet and kept all to herself. The memory of Mary was awakened during
the passion of Christ when she realised that the prophecy of Simeon was being fulfilled in her
life and actually a sword had pierced her. As human beings we should accept that we are not
all knowing like God. Some situations happen and we may fail to understand why but God
knows why and at his proper time he will reveal the truth of what was happening.

We are now living in a world were humanity wants answers to everything and quickly. For
example when someone calls you a fool, it is proper to sit down and see what really a fool is
and evaluate yourself to see whether you are not what is being said before fighting back.
Criticism or bad talking is not always meant to demotivate us but can make us grow if we
know how to handle it. Mary was always silent and in her silence she knew more than those
speaking. Silence is strength not a weakness. It is in silence that we contemplate and hear the
voice of God. God is not found in noise and confusion. People will always speak in life but a
wise person sees a perfect example in Mary that is hearing and keeping silent. In the depth of
genuine solitude God reveals himself to us.
Second Sorrow: Mary fleeing with Jesus to Egypt with Joseph

After the wise men had left, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and said,
Get up take the child and his mother and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you.
Herod will soon be looking for the child to kill him. Joseph got up, took the child and his
mother and left that night for Egypt. (Mt 2 vs 13-14)

Even though Joseph was once told not to leave her wife Mary because he had found her
pregnant before engaging her, this incident makes Joseph also an important figure in the life
of Christ. His role as a protector is defined here and agreeing to follow the words of the angel
he became a partner of Mary in carrying out the divine plan of bringing up the saviour. The
significance and impact of Jesus is first felt here because Herod panics knowing that the Lord
is born. The response of Herod in killing many innocent children confirms that Jesus was the
king waited for because he was to save his people but Herod was not yet ready to accept that
reality and let it be. Joseph and Mary were therefore two important figures in the life of Jesus
who took care of Jesus in his human state before he was able to care for himself.

In the heart of Mary

The mysterious events surrounding the life of her son Jesus becomes a sorrow in the heart of
Mary. After struggling to have a home for him to be born in and being told a sorrowful
prophecy by Simeon now the child wants to be killed by Herod. It always touches a heart for
every woman not only our mother Mary that after carrying a child for nine months and giving
birth then someone comes to take away or kill that baby. It is not an easy situation. In this
incident again Mary did not say a word, she got up as Joseph was told and they left for Egypt.
All these events are just pilling themselves in the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Probably as a
human being she started worrying on her way to Egypt, Why would they want to kill my only
son born by the power of the Holy Spirit? Where exactly will we go to stay in Egypt? Joseph
was just a simple carpenter and to go to a new place needs accommodation and food among
other things. For the sake of Jesus Mary had to move by night and endured the pain of being
unsettled because of the baby Jesus.

Fleeing with what you value to the Lord

Mary our mother in fleeing with Jesus to Egypt leaves an important example and a message
to all her children. Jesus was of greatest value to her and she sacrificed to move even by night
to make sure that his life will be safe in Egypt as the angel had said. We have many things
that we value in life but meditating on this sorrow let us put more emphasis on the gift of life
God gave us. Life is of greatest value than any other thing that we can possess. We are now
living in a world where many evils are prevailing and our lives are in danger of falling to the
evil one. Our mother Mary comes to us showing us that God is the Egypt that we need to run
to and we will be safe with him.

Herod is still alive for us Christians in the form of sin, suffering, pain, false doctrines, satanic
religions, and evil movements in the world. Many people have sold their souls to the devil for
money. Some have become habitual sinners to get money. Life is a precious gift that God
gave us and before we lose it we need to take it to the Lord for the Lord to keep it for us.

Learn from Mary in the depth of her sorrows

Our mother Mary did not seek explanations to the words brought by the angel but she carried
out the will of God in humility following his word. Nowadays we are living in a world
whereby people are trying to justify sin by all means. No amount of explanation will make
something wrong right. Some homosexuals are fooling themselves saying we were born like
that, some fornicators and adulterers are fooling themselves saying we are human and thats
our nature to act like that, some thieves and robbers are fooling each other that I am poor so
what can I do, some people aborting are fooling themselves saying its bad to keep unplanned
pregnancies, some devil worshippers are fooling themselves saying money is everything in
life, idolaters and people who go to witch doctors are fooling themselves saying it is short
time help we will come back.

Dear friends no sin will go unpunished unless we repent. We are called to follow the word of
God like Mary without editing it for our own personal good. Seek Jesus and go to him not to
seek other things in life. Jesus said leave everything and follow me but most of us we leave
Jesus and follow everything. The humility of Mary in following instructions was not stupidity
but wisdom. Likewise we are called to be submissive to the word of God. In whatever we do
we should not forget that, When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all his angels he
will sit on the throne of glory. All the nations will be brought before him, and as a shepherd
separates the sheep from the goats so will he divide them, placing the sheep on his right and
the goats on his left (Mt 25 vs 31-33). Unless we take our lives to Jesus then we will lose it.
Third Sorrow: Mary seeking Jesus lost in Jerusalem

After the festival was over, they returned but the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem and his
parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the company of travellers they went a
day`s journey. Then they looked for him among their relatives and friends. As they did not
find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him. (Lk 2 vs 43-45)

At 12 Jesus was lost in the temple in Jerusalem. The word lost as used does not imply that
Jesus did not know where to go and what to do but that he was not in the company of his
parents as expected at that time. Jesus manifested for the first time his total belonging to God
by remained attached to the temple. The words of the prophets that, Zeal for your house will
burn me like fire and those who insult you insult me as well (Psalm 69 vs 9) began to be
fulfilled in the young boy Jesus. Jesus remains an important figure in the life of Mary for as
the text says they travelled thinking that he was with others. This suggests that if she had
known that he was not there she was not going to leave him behind but she assumed.

In the heart of Mary

Mary ran with Jesus as a child at night to Egypt and as an adolescent she ran for him in
Jerusalem. At every stage in the life of Jesus Mary encountered pain and sorrow. Mary was
worried not seeing Jesus after a day`s journey. Imagine after carrying for a child born under
mysterious conditions for twelve years and in the midst of a day he disappeared. This was
really a sword piercing the heart of our mother Mary. Jerusalem is not a street but a city Mary
probably was thinking where she will start looking for Jesus. She had no clue but she had the
courage to turn back that moment and go to look for him. When Jesus remained he did not
intend to hurt Mary but his remaining caused sorrow in the heart of Mary. A family which
was happy together suddenly becomes sad when the boy Jesus was lost in the temple. Mary
in her heart could not find a perfect explanation for all these things happening to her and her
Son. The joy of having a son turns to be a sorrow in the life of Mary.

Mary`s promise

Getting lost in the journey of faith is very easy but coming back is difficult. It is evident when
we try to think of all the people whom we used to be together with in Church and they left but
now are finding it hard to come back to others. Mary is not only the mother of Jesus but all of
us and as such in many times that we stray and get lost she is promising that I will look for
you. As she was determined to look for Jesus lost in the temple, she is also determined to
look us when we get lost in sin. This promise does not mean that we should get lost but that
when sin leads us astray we should be confident knowing that we have an advocate who
prays for us before God. The pain that Mary had when Jesus was lost in her sight for a day is
the same pain she bears all the time we sin and stay in the state of sin for a long time without
repenting. If someone is your advocate and she always intercedes for you but you always do
the same thing over and over again how do you think she feels? Through this sorrow Mary
makes herself available for us to always pray for us but do we understand the pain we cause
her when we do other things besides what we are called for as Christians?

Going back to the Lord

The way Jesus was lost in Jerusalem is usually the same way we may lose focus or valuable
things or people in life. Mary our mother teaches us the best way to recover anything lost that
is going back to the original place or the roots. Just as they had been with Jesus in Jerusalem
they were convinced that they will see him actually there in Jerusalem. When we were
baptised God welcomed us in his family and that became our Jerusalem. Life is not always
going to be easy. Challenges and pains of life will always be there and at times we will be
lost. However like Mary let us always know that the best way to trace ourselves is to go back
to the Lord.

The pain of losing an important person or a thing in life can even lead to someone rejecting or
deteriorating in faith. Being in a crisis in life does not mean the end but just a phase that will
pass. As Christians we should always identify the cause of our joy and its source. When we
manage to know the source of our joy that is Jesus we will be able to realise in our journey of
life that the source is now missing we need to go back and get it back. Going back to the Lord
is an obligation for every Christian because that is where we are renewed and given new
strength to face life. It is difficult to realise why you are suffering if you do not know why
you were once happy. If you manage to establish Christ as the source of your happiness in
life, when you get lost or get in a crisis it is easy to realise that I am missing something.
Without Jesus, Mary`s life turned into a sorrow and this is the same with our lives. If we lose
sight and focus of Jesus we will never know happiness.

As we pray and reflect on our lives through the intercession of Mary it is important to draw
inspiration from her. The best thing we can do for ourselves in life is to stop and realise why
we are suffering and then go back to the source that is Jesus. It is commonly said with Jesus
you have everything but without Jesus you have nothing.
Reflection on death

Many people avoid talking or reading about death in their lives. Death is a topic which has no
place in our discussions mostly but it is a reality that we cannot run away from. This third
sorrow must help us reflect on this important event that will happen to each one of us. Just as
Jesus was lost on their way back home, that is the same way we are here on earth. This is not
our home we are like people in a wilderness lost. The way Mary and Joseph went back to
look for Jesus is the way God will come and take us from this world. The most amazing thing
about this point of view is that Mary and Joseph came after a day looking for Jesus a symbol
to show us that life on earth is too short. However the joy lies in the fact that Jesus was found
not in a street or bar but in the temple.

As we are lost on this earth doing different things one day our owner will come looking for us
where will he find us? It is a deep sorrow for Mary our mother who always prays for us when
one is found not in the right place. Beloved in Christ in as much as we enjoy life here on
earth we should know that one day we shall go back where we came from. Like Jesus will
you be found pure and in the state of holiness. The word of God says, Happy from now are
the dead who die in the Lordlet them rest from their labours since their good works go with
them (Rev 14 vs 13) the way you live your life on earth will accompany you the day you
will be called.

Death is not there to put fear in us and make us tremble but to enlighten us in knowing that
we are just visitors on this planet earth. When Mary finally found Jesus in the temple she and
Joseph asked him why. This question shows that though Jesus was in a good place, the
temple for them he was in a right place at a wrong time. This earth is not our home. It is a
right place because it was created by God but not all the time to be here. Prepare for your end
while you are still here. Our Lady, all the Saints and Angels rejoice when God finds you
worthy to be with him but when you are stained by sins and unworthy the heavens are turned
into sorrow.
Fourth Sorrow: Mary meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary

When they led Jesus away they seized a certain Simon of Cyrene who was coming in from
the fields, and laid the cross on him to carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people
followed him; among them were women beating their breasts and wailing for him. (Lk 23
vs 26-27)

Though Jesus was a sign of contradiction and he preached the truth which many refused he
had some people who loved him and followed him to the end. The ruthless soldiers saw that
he could not continue carrying the cross to Calvary and they had to make Simon of Cyrene
carry it. This shows that these people did not only want to kill Jesus but wanted him to die by
crucifixion so they could not afford to see him die on the way before reaching Calvary. This
shows that these people were determined that Jesus was guilty and he deserved a capital
punishment. However among the large crowd following him were people crying including his
mother seeing Jesus suffering. These people could not express their love for him in any way
except crying for majority had overcome the innocent and correct minority.

In the heart of Mary

This was the most difficult moment in the life of Mary. The same Jesus whom she nursed and
watched him grow for more than 30 years was suffering but this time Mary had nothing to do.
All the events in the life of Jesus from childhood Mary was directly involved but now it came
a moment when tears was the only involvement and nothing else. The heart of Mary was
broken and crushed. The head had a crown of thorns, the body was scourged and now
carrying a cross. All this happened in the sight of Mary and it was painful. Mary`s own son
whom she carried for nine months in her womb now being killed like a thief in her sight. This
pierced the heart of Mary. Unlike in the temple when she asked why, now Mary could not
speak a word to Jesus but to endure the pain which was striking her heart like a lightning.
This was the moment when Mary clearly realised that the prophecy of Simeon was being
fulfilled. Jesus was suffering the physical pain while Mary suffering the emotional pain.

When you meet suffering in life

There is no new problem which you are going to face in your life as a Christian. Everything
that comes your way has been in the way of others before and even with more intensity. Mary
saw the shock of her life directly in her eyes and to worsen the situation she had nothing she
could do about it. The whole multitude had turned against her son and even though she knew
that Jesus was innocent it was for her own business and no one to listen to that. Though all
these circumstances were there, Mary remained strong. Beloved in the Lord, problems and
challenges of life must leave a positive dimension in our lives as Christians not a negative
one. Instead of breaking and getting lost, the most painful experiences of life must leave you
stronger. Acceptance is very difficult with many people in life but it is a vital element of our
Christian life. Mary could not change what she was seeing she accepted the fate and
welcomed it as it appeared in her eyes. It is not always that we will change things that affect
us in life. Sometimes it is not worth it to fight but to accept what God has allowed to pass
through your life and move on.

God`s will in our lives

If we go back to the Annunciation, Mary told the angel that let it be done unto me according
to your will (Lk 1 vs 38). The suffering of Jesus was also the will of God so that we can be
saved. Mary did not only embrace the will of God in giving birth to Jesus but also in
journeying with him in his suffering.

Many people pray saying let your will be done in my life Oh Lord but are we really ready to
embrace the will of God. Jesus made it clear that if you want to follow me carry your cross
and follow me and Job said if we take happiness from God must we not take sorrow too from
him. Many people want a luxurious and a happy life that has no suffering but that life is
impossible. Life is like an ocean; storms and waves will come but if we are committed to God
then his will should not be difficult for us to embrace. We should always learn from Saints
and Martyrs we have in the Church. They rejoiced in suffering and some were even singing
Gloria while being burnt alive because they understood the value of their suffering. We
should pray first for faithfulness to God so that when his will is to be fulfilled in our lives we
will find happiness in embracing it despite its state being happiness or sorrow.

Prayer makes everything bearable

The tears that Mary shed when she saw Jesus walking towards his death was a prayer that
touched the heavens and warmed the earth. We may have many principles and ideologies
about how to face struggles in life but if prayer is not one of them then they are all wrong.
The strength of a Christian is in the knees. When you kneel and offer yourself to the Lord
even the most difficult thing becomes very simple. God has never, and will never ignore
anyone who cries to him for help especially through the intercession of Mary.
Fifth Sorrow: Mary at the foot of the cross

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother`s sister Mary, who was the wife of
Cleophas and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he
loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, woman here is your son. Then he said
to the disciple here is your mother. And from that moment the disciple took her into his
own home. (Jn 19 vs 25-27)

All the loyal disciples of Jesus journeyed with him to the cross and now they were looking at
him hanging on the cross. Mary was part of these people and she was also there seeing the
fruit of her womb Jesus dying slowly. Though the situation was tense and painful Jesus did
not forget his mother whom he knew was a widow after the death of Joseph so he gave her to
John his beloved disciple to take care of her. This text has two fundamental meanings which
are equally important. Literally Jesus gave John to Mary and Mary to John for the sake of the
love he had for her mother and wanting her to be in good care during this earthly life.
Secondly Jesus was giving all of us Mary to be our mother. Mary stood as the mother of all
peoples and John representing all peoples. When we say Mary is our mother it comes from
this incident for Jesus himself gave her mother to us to be a mother as she was to Jesus.

In the heart of Mary

Mary felt intense and deep pain of being the mother of God, her only son now hanging on the
cross. It was difficult to believe but it was a reality that he was waiting to die. This must have
been the most difficult moment in the life of Mary. To hear that someone has died by
accident or sickness somewhere is better than seeing your only son being beaten, abused and
crucified now waiting to die blood flowing all these in your eyes. This was a sword piercing
her heart. She had a lot to say but not anymore, emotions were boiling in her but no way to
express them. The greatest pain in Mary`s heart being that she knew her son was innocent but
that was her own point of view against the rest who were evil and malicious. Mary`s heart
was broken and closed standing at the foot of the cross, probably standing next to the people
shouting insults and holding sticks to whip Jesus; all this experience torturing the mother of
God. Now being handed over to John she had to accept that Jesus was going. She was
looking at Jesus knowing that he was going to die and she was to be left in pain and sorrow.
Standing at the foot of your cross

Difficult moments are not an illusion but a reality that can catch up with anyone in life. There
are some moments that can come that will seem as if the world has come to an end. Imagine
Mary at the foot of the cross, she was sure that her son was going to die and all that had
happened to Jesus was in her eyes but was just there watching until the end. At this moment
no one would have thought of the resurrection and even if they did it was hard to believe
because what they were seeing was more real than any prophecy to be fulfilled. In our lives
we may come across such situations that will make us doubt even if God exists. Problems
will come that will make us think that this is the end of the world. Maybe some are already in
these situations but the most important thing that we learn from Mary is that never rush to
make a decision stand still and watch God is there with you.

When Jonah was swallowed by the fish because he had not listened to God he was in
complete confusion while in the belly of the fish. For three days there he thought he was just
going to die, but most important thing and special thing about Jonah is that even in the belly
of the fish he prayed and God listened. From the belly of the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord
his God: In my distress I cried to the Lord, and he answered me; from the belly of the
underworld I cried and you heard my voiceWhen my spirit was fainting within me, I
remembered the Lord and my prayer rose to you to your holy Temple (Jonah 2 vs 2-3&8).
When our minds think that we have reached the end then God proves to us that he is superior
and he takes up from there. One of the problems why we are not answered when we are in
serious problems and hard challenges is that we do not accept that this issue is beyond my
abilities. Many people keep trying to solve things that have nothing to do with them. Some
challenges are better left for God. When situations are tense then offer them to God Jonah
did. Like Mary be there and wait for God to fulfil his will in your life.

Mary is our mediator

Many people have fought and doubted the position of Mary in Christian life. Through the
Magisterium and Tradition of the Church, the Church teaches that:

Our Lady may be styled mediatrix or simply mediator as many people apply the
word either because (a) as worthy mother of God and full of grace she occupies a
middle position between God and his creatures; or (b) together with Christ and
under him, she cooperated in the reconciliation of God and mankind while she was
 still on earth; or she distributes the graces that God bestows on His children. In
whichever of these three meanings it may be taken, Mary`s mediation must always be
understood as being secondary to, and dependent on, Christ`s primary and self-
sufficient mediatorial role1

We have a mother in Mary who after facing trials and tribulations of this earthly life can
understand each one of us. Mary does not get tired of praying for us and asking her son to
give us graces. It is up to us as individual Christians to see the value of Mary in our faith and
ask her to pray for us. There is no child who can fail to listen to his/her mother when asked
seriously. Jesus our Lord cannot refuse to give you what you want when Mary asks on your
behalf.

The value of the Rosary

The Holy Rosary is one of the most powerful weapons against the devil and all his agents.
There are many testimonies that come forth from different people after praying the Rosary. It
is a prayer that unites us with Jesus and his mother through the Holy Spirit. There have been
many criticisms of the Holy Rosary by different Christian sects and non-Christian religions
but it`s surprising that even some atheists and those criticising Mary put Rosaries in their
cars. Why? They know the power in it but yet decide not to believe. Approximately, out of
every five cars you meet one will be having a Rosary.

The Rosary helps us to remember events in the life of Jesus from birth to death and to
understand the significance and role of Mary in his life. Truly, one cannot claim to love an
apple but hating an apple tree. It is hypocrisy to profess love for Christ who was born by
Mary but still reject Mary. Mary played an important role in the life of Jesus and she still
does in our lives. The Seven Sorrows Rosary shows how Mary suffered because of Jesus and
this shows how she is willing to offer herself again for us in all our needs. Mary is a loving
mother and through the Rosary she intercedes for us in all our needs.

The same amount of love and care Our Lady had for Jesus her Son is the same amount of
love she has for all of us. Never hesitate to approach Mary she is waiting for you.

1
Dictionary of Mary, St Pauls Publishing Co, Bandra Mumbai 2010 pg. 336
Sixth Sorrow: Mary receiving the body of Jesus from the cross

It was now evening and as it was Preparation day that is the day before the Sabbath, there
came Joseph of Arimathea a respected member of the council who was himself waiting for
the kingdom of God, and boldly went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was
surprised that Jesus should have died so soon; so he summoned the centurion and inquired
if Jesus was already dead. After hearing the centurion, he let Joseph have the body. Joseph
took him down and wrapped him in the linen sheet he had bought. He laid him in a tomb
which had been cut out of the rock and rolled a stone across the entrance to the tomb (Mk
15 vs 42-46)

The love which the disciples of Jesus had for him did not end with his death but it went
beyond the grave. Now that Jesus had died they asked for his body for a decent burial. It is
clear from this text that Pilate really wanted Jesus to die because before he allowed Joseph of
Arimathea to take the body, he wanted assurance whether he had died or not. Among the
people now waiting for the body of Jesus was his mother Mary who received the body from
the cross and held it as she once did when Jesus was a child. This time it was a corpse. The
gesture shown by Joseph of Arimathea proved the love he had for Jesus that saw him show
respect to him after the shameful death on the cross.

In the heart of Mary

Holding Jesus in her hands from the cross was the most terrible thing to ever happen to Mary.
Now she cried seeing her son dead. The same Jesus she gave birth to, the same Jesus she
watched grow and the same Jesus who preached was now a corpse in the arms of Mary.
Probably this came as an extreme heart breaking event because she had already lost Joseph
and now in her heart she knew that she was alone wondering in the world. All the joys of
being the Holy Family were destroyed totally into a series of loneliness. Though she was
given to John and he was to take her to his home and stay with her, it was never going to be
the same. Nothing was to replace the only son of God she was now holding in her hands
dead. This was the darkest moment in her heart she was sorrowful and sad. A sword had
indeed pierced her heart and left an indelible scratch which no one would remove. Her
handsome son Jesus was now looking miserable with wounds and blood lying in the arms of
Mary very cold with no life in him; all this in the eyes and heart of Mary. It was a deep
sorrow that no amount of words can really explain the pain.
Accepting loss or defeat

Many people are of the view that when you accept that you have failed it is sign of weak faith
and low self-esteem. It is a reality and a fact that no one can do everything in life. Some tasks
we will fail and accepting that I have failed and moving on is maturity and wisdom. Jesus
lying in the arms of Mary dead was a miserable incident. However Mary had to accept the
loss for that moment. It had happened and even rejecting that he is gone was not going to
bring him back that same moment. We all have lost relatives and friends and we know how it
feels to lose someone. It is very dangerous to remain stuck on the level of lose but to move to
the level of acceptance and move on.

Mary through this sorrow teaches us that life does not end in the event of a painful situation
but much lies ahead when we accept to move on. If we have noticed in many cases, worrying
and stressing only turns to hurt you as an individual but it does not change the situation at
hand. It is only when we accept events of life as they come and offer them to God that we
may move on with peace of mind.

No condition is permanent in life

Life is not static it moves and it changes. Likewise no situation or condition that you can face
will remain like that forever. Things change and if we live in the hope of change then we will
have a perfect basis for our faith. When you suffer today know that better days are coming
tomorrow. Many people think that when they suffer for a long time God has forgotten them
and they will die like that which is not true.

As Christians we should not measure our life using death as the end. Death is transformation
into new life so it is practically not the end but just a change of state from physical to
spiritual. Life may be hard now but not forever. God promised us that when we endure we
will enjoy the fruits of our endurance in heaven. The reward of being faithful to God may not
come while we are in this physical state but surely it will come. All these sorrows we
contemplate on about Mary made her suffer and cry in this earthly life but surely we cannot
compare them now with the joy she has as the Queen of heaven and earth. We are called to
embrace a positive mind towards whatever we meet in life. Always remember a seed has to
decay first before becoming a plant; likewise it is necessary to endure pain for a greater good
to come.
Seventh Sorrow: Mary placing the body of Jesus in a tomb awaiting resurrection

They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, following the
burial custom of the Jews. There was a garden in the place where Jesus had been crucified
and in the garden, a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. As the tomb was very
near, they buried Jesus there because it was the Jewish Preparation Day. (Jn 19 vs 40-
42)

Though Jesus had died in a miserable way he was buried in a decent way. Some biblical
scholars have even said that he was buried like a member of the royal household. Nicodemus
and some of his disciples including his mother were there with spices and quality linen and
wrapped him well and put him in the tomb to rest. When he was born, coming to give light to
the world, they failed to have a place for him and he was born in a manger. Now that he died
they found a place for him where no one was ever laid before.

In the heart of Mary

It was so sorrowful in the heart of Mary to part ways with Jesus. Now she saw him being
closed in the tomb and she had to turn her back and leave her son there and go. Faith and
hope were now the only things left for Mary praying that when he said he will rise so it shall
be. Another sword pierced the heart of our mother Mary. Probably this is the moment when
Mary was asking herself in her heart, is this what God meant in my life by giving me this
child? Is this the way things were supposed to be or something went wrong? Though the
word of God was clear even from the Old Testament about the messiah the situation which
Mary was in was more practical than written words. It is painful to any normal mother when
your child dies and you are at the time of burial then someone comes to say one day there
will be resurrection of the dead. It is true but the present situation may not allow you to
believe. Mary was in a painful situation and the prophecy of Simeon was fulfilled in her.

awaiting the resurrection

These last words of this seventh sorrow are very important in our lives as Christians. Mary
did not bury Jesus and said that is the end the chapter is closed. She awaited the resurrection.
I have mentioned earlier in one of the sorrows that suffering and problems are not the end of
life but just a phase that can lead to better things to come. In all her sorrows Mary had some
hope for something good to come.
Our life on this earth my dear friends is an advent. It is a period of waiting for something
great that is eternal life. However we do not just wait but we prepare for it. As Catholics we
are privileged to have Sacraments in the Church. We should not become visitors on receiving
Sacraments but being always there. As we journey in this life, we await the glorious day
when we will be accepted to be with God and all the Angels and Saints. We are invited to be
faithful to God in our Sacramental life. Receiving the Eucharist daily or more often helps us
in coming closer to God. The Sacrament of Reconciliation makes us one with Christ and the
Church. Do not relax this earth is not your home. Many sufferings and problems may shift
your attention from God but know yourself and your purpose on earth.

Love one another

Jesus made it clear in his teaching that, This is my commandment that you love one another
as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this that one gives one`s life for one`s
friends (Jn 15 vs 12-13). Love is the ultimate point and the climax of faith. No one lives as
an island we need each other and we need to live in love and build the heavenly city in love.
At the burial of Jesus we heard many people who came with spices and linen among other
things. This shows how Jesus was important to them and how much they loved him. Mary
could not bury Jesus alone and do all things. She was helped in everything by the disciples of
Jesus and that is love.

Many people are suffering in the world nowadays because there is no love. Some are bearing
heavy burdens which could have been easy when there was someone to help but because they
never had time for others it is difficult to have them while in need. Dear friends in Christ, see
God in all the people you meet in this world. No one is useless and good for nothing in life.
Who knew that Nicodemus who came to Jesus at night fearing to be seen by people with him
during the day would be there burying him buying expensive spices for him in the broad day
light. The person you hurt today will become necessary in your life tomorrow.

Pride comes from the devil and it is an enemy of love. Let us always know that whatever that
makes you proud you will go with it when you die. Wealth and power has made many people
to be evil and dangerous to other people`s lives. Beloved in the Lord, learn from Mary who
never had a problem with anyone in life. Trust God and love humanity.
 Virgin of Sorrows

As stated in the meditation of the sorrows, Mary loves all of us the same way she loved Jesus.
The way she felt when Jesus was struggling is the same way she feels now when we suffer. It
is not true to think that Mary only felt pain in her heart looking at his son suffering and now
she is rejoicing in heaven not caring about her son being persecuted in his followers. There is
a lot of suffering going on in this world and this pains Mary for she is the mother of us all.
Mary our mother is the Virgin of Sorrows because reflecting on the status of the world now
the heart of Mary is bleeding with pain because of what is going on. There is a lot of
injustices, immorality, corruption and devil worshipping in the world and all these goes direct
to strike our Lady in her loving heart. Mary loves us and she prays for us but how do we
repay that love? Imagine how does someone you love feels when heartbroken? In return to
her motherly and compassionate love we pay back by sin and ignorance.

Mary in your personal life

It is easy to talk about others or to preach to other people but neglecting yourself. However it
is of paramount importance when we pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary to reflect on ourselves
as individuals. In the Seven Sorrows we saw the things that pained and pieced the heart of
Mary. As she is your mother now she knows your personal life; she knows your strengths and
your weaknesses. There are some things which you can keep away from everyone but God
knows. Some of these things are swords that pierce daily the heart of Mary. Beloved, it is
very wise to hide from man but not from God because he knows all. It is important to always
reflect on your life and change whatever bad in your personal life; those things which on
earth it is you alone who knows.

Mary and our families

A sword of sorrow always pierces the heart of Mary when she sees some families these days.
Marriage was meant to be holy and valued. Many families are torn into pieces. There are
many divorces, single parent families, and child headed families. People have changed the
value and purpose of a family into a child bearing contract. This saddens our loving mother
Mary. We are invited to learn from the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph) what it means
to be a family. There must be natural unconditional love between parents and children and the
whole household. If there is something besides love that is the binding force in a family it
will break. It is painful to see parents neglect the matrimonial home going to extra marital
business. This really pains our loving mother Mary. Children are left to do what they want
and at times the way children are going astray nowadays it is because of the ill-formed
families they come from. Mary our mother showed us the true family which was held
together by love and nothing else. She was not rich materially but with Joseph and Jesus they
lived in peace than Herod who was rich but living in sin. Dear friends in the Lord as we pray
the Seven Sorrows Rosary we should pray for our families that they may be balanced and that
they may console the heart of Our Lady not to add pain and sorrows.

Mary and our social life

No one lives as an island we all live in communities. Mary our mother and her Son Jesus
were also products of their communities. God created us in such a way that we need each
other and as we supplement each other we live in peace and harmony. However it is very sad
to know that our social life has become a battle field and a reason for hatred. Take a pause
and think of the people you do not talk to or the people you hate in your community. No
mother would ever will that her children live in disunity and hatred. Mary has always wanted
all families to come together, to form a community, and to be one in love and faith in God.

Some people have come up with a statement or idea that, you cannot be a friend of everyone;
when you are a friend to everyone then you are the problem. Actually the problem with this
way of thinking is that it has wrong definitions of a friend, everyone, and a problem. Our
Christian life requires that we love everyone and by everyone it means all the human beings
created by God. We might not be personal friends to all but not having conflicts with them. A
healthy community is built when people live with a clear conscience about people around.
Hating each other and fighting really pierces the heart of our loving mother Mary.

Mary in our moral life

Mary was born without original sin because God from all eternity had willed that the womb
that will carry his son be free from any stain of sin. Though we were created with the original
sin unlike our mother, we are never doomed to die in it. This is why we get baptised to be
cleansed. However moral values and ethics have collapsed in this world miserably. People
are becoming more creative in sin than in any other thing. It is really painful to our mother
Mary that every second somewhere in this world someone will be sinning.

One of the greatest things that are breaking the hearts of Mary and Jesus is the nature of sin
these days. People have chosen to ignore the gospel and continue to live in sin. The same
people whom Jesus redeemed by his blood and Our Lady suffering, are now promoting
homosexuality, abortion, euthanasia, adultery, fornication, worshipping the devil for money
among other things. After all that Jesus did for this world and after all the sorrows that
pierced the heart of Mary this is how they are being repaid by the world. All these dirty
things are just breaking the heart of Our Lady because she loves us all and she does not want
anyone to be lost or condemned at the last day.

Mary and our economic situations

The way humanity has fallen in love with money is so dangerous to the extent that money is
now given more value than life. Many people in the world are suffering because of harsh
economic situations in their countries. A few are having more than enough while the majority
having nothing. The resources which God gave us are enough for all if shared equally.
However some people who manage to be in power manipulate everything for themselves and
others go hungry. All this is in the eyes of Our Lady. Mary has always wanted peace and love
in the world but individualism has destroyed the purpose of humanity on earth. The spirit of
love and sharing is no more. It pains and pierces the heart of Our Lady to see many people
dying of hunger yet others are throwing away food, many people dying without medical
attention yet others are having money in abundance, and many people not going to school yet
others fly to well-up countries for studies. The spirit of oneness is no more. Individuals enjoy
and the rest cry. All this happens in the eyes of Our Lady.

Mary and the world political situations

Absolute power is the genesis of destruction. The way people are in love with corrupt power
these days is a cause of concern to every citizen of this world and to Our Lady. Mary has
appeared in many authentic occasions warning people about war and blood-shed for example
her apparitions in Pontmain France and Fatima Portugal. Mary does not want war and
killings. This is however what is happening in the world right now. Many politicians are
killing innocent people for the sake of power. The love of power has gone to the extent that
wars are breaking out everywhere people being killed. Thousands have died and the most
painful thing is that it will be one person or a small group of people leading those unholy
actions. This really disturbs our mother Mary. There is nothing good that has ever come out
of a war. Politics instead of uniting citizens in a particular geographical area it has destroyed
people. All this pierces the heart of Our Lady
 Mary help and hope of Christians.

As we contemplate on the sorrows of Our Mother Mary, it is important to understand the

impact of Mary in our lives especially when we approach her for any help. There are three
important events in the life of Mary which are not directly part of the seven sorrows but are
significant to our faith. These are the Annunciation, the Visitation, and the wedding at Cana.
The sorrows of Mary did not end in tears and pain but they were coated with hope for the best
to come. This is what we see in the reflection of the seventh sorrow when Mary placed the
body of Christ in the tomb awaiting resurrection. This shows us that in the face of any trial
and hardship there is always a way out and hope is the most fundamental aspect of our trust
in God.

Mary is the help of Christians and her help is in terms of everything concerning our faith not
particular aspects. This makes Mary an important figure in the history of our redemption and
in our daily lives now. However what makes our faith weak is that there is another aspect
which is supposed to be fulfilled by us which we ignore. This aspect is hope in the Lord.
Mary in her life taught us to have deep hope in the Lord and her life was indeed a full
catechesis of hope. Mary lived a mysterious life which made her accept many things in faith
though not very clear. When the Angel Gabriel came to her she had no clue what was
happening but in faith and hope in the Lord she accepted. She was amazed with the greeting
of Elizabeth but again she went on to say the Magnificat praising the Lord. She advised Jesus
that wine was finished at Cana and Jesus answered in his own way but she told them to listen
to him for she knew what he was capable of doing. Mary is the sign of hope and a true
example of a loyal servant of God.

Mary at the Annunciation

If we follow the conversation of Mary with the Angel Gabriel in Luke 1 vs 26-38 we see how
amazed and surprised Mary was with the visit of the Angel and the message. She uttered the
words, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said (Lk 1 vs 38).
These words meant that she accepted the will of God even though she was still very surprised
of the event.

The grace of God cannot lead you somewhere and then dump you there. Sometimes life
brings forth to us events which are beyond human imagination and explanation but allowing
God to do his will is the best approach. When you leave everything to God`s providence he
will know how to handle your situation. Mary knew how difficult for people to believe it was
going to be just to say I am impregnated for the Holy Spirit but for the sake of the love of
God she accepted knowing that God will have his ways of dealing with the situation. Mary
helps us as Christians in praying for us but the kind of hope she exhibited in her life is what
we also need to embrace as Christians.

The Visitation

The life of Mary was full of surprises but her response is what made her very unique. When
she arrived at Elizabeth`s house Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and said, you are
most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. How is it that the mother
of my Lord comes to me? (Lk 1 vs 42) Instead of Mary informing Elizabeth about the
pregnancy of Jesus Elizabeth already knew by the power of God. Mary in the midst of being
surprised she started the most magnificent hymn the Magnificat praising God.

Sometimes the evil one can be disturbed when we praise the Lord instead of being sorrowful
in pain. When some harsh conditions come our way and we praise the Lord we disturb the
devil in all his ways. Mary in her sorrows had an idea of what it means to trust in the Lord
that is why she persevered. Many people ask the question why me always. When things
happen abruptly sometimes we cannot handle surprises. Mary is a clear example of how to
deal with such situations in life. When you hope in God and trust in him at times you become
ignorant to problems and just say the Lord will see what to do.

Do whatever he tells you. (Jn 2 vs 5)

To trust in God is not an experiment but something tried and tested. Many people in the
world have testimonies of what the Lord did to them and some of these figures are there in
the Holy Scriptures. The first miracle of Jesus was done at the request of Mary. She
responded to the need for wine at Cana and through her pleading with Jesus wine was made.
However the most important instruction she gave them and which she gives us as her children
today is that do as he tells you. Mary knew and she knows that when people follow the words
and teachings of Christ great things will happen. Mary knew who Jesus was and that gave her
the confidence to speak knowing that what she was requesting Jesus could do it.

Mary is speaking to us in this generation and all to come that do whatever Jesus tells you and
all that is lost and missing in your lives will be provided. Mary knows what her son is capable
of doing and as part of her duty to help us as Christians Mary tells us to follow in all honesty
and truth what Jesus tells us. Jesus has spoken in the Holy Scriptures and we have the word
with us. A simple request from our loving Mother Mary is that we should follow all that Jesus
says. When we believe and when we are obedient to the words of Christ all we want will be
provided. In many times humanity suffers because of disobedience. If everyone was
following the Ten Commandments and the commandment of love by Jesus faithfully daily
we would not be having murderers in the world, thieves, fornicators, idolaters and many sins.
Sin is a result of disobedience of God`s will. When we devote ourselves to be faithful and to
do all that Jesus has told us in the Scriptures then the missing things in our lives will be
provided. Jesus listens to Mary and even now when Mary carries petitions to Jesus he
responds and acts. Mary has a special place in our lives she is our help and this must be
supplemented by our hope and trust in God.

Pray without ceasing

As we have read, the sorrows of Our Lady were not just an event they are ongoing. There is a
lot happening in the world and seriously it needs people to pray. As Catholics we proclaim
publicly our love for our mother Mary. However our public proclamation must be
accompanied by prayer and good example. If we look at how the world is going astray we ask
isnt it heathens committing all the sins and creating problems? No, it is some of us
Christians who have become enemies of the word we once embraced.

We are therefore called to live a life worthy of our calling. We are called to holiness and
sanctity. The world needs people who pray unceasingly and people who live by example. Our
Lady suffered in this earthly life and she still does because of the face of the world. This is
the time we need to show how we love her as a mother by praying always especially the
Rosary. God listens and he answers prayers. It is selfish to always kneel and pray for yourself
and your family. The world needs prayers and the situations in this current world cannot be
solved by any form of human intelligence but by God himself.

Mary is Our Lady of Sorrows let us join her in praying for the world and soothe the sorrows
in her heart caused by our sins.
 How to pray Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows

V. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

R. Amen.

V. We praise and bless you O Lord.

R. Because you willed that the Virgin Mother share in the work of salvation.

V. We contemplate your sorrows Holy Mary.

R. May we follow you in the pilgrimage of faith.

First Sorrow: Mary accepts in faith the prophecy of Simeon (Lk 2 vs 34-35)

1 Our Father

7 Hail Mary

Holy mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my saviour

crucified.

Second Sorrow: Mary flees into Egypt with Jesus and Joseph (Mt 2 vs 13-14)

1 Our Father

7 Hail Mary

Holy Mother

Third Sorrow: Mary seeks Jesus lost in Jerusalem (Lk 2 vs 43-45)

1 Our Father

7 Hail Mary

Holy Mother
Fourth Sorrow: Mary meets Jesus on the way to Calvary (Lk 23 vs 26-27)

1 Our Father

7 Hail Mary

Holy Mother

Firth Sorrow: Mary stands near the Cross of her Son (Jn 19 vs 25-27)

1 Our Father

7 Hail Mary

Holy Mother

Sixth Sorrow: Mary receives the body of Jesus taken down from the Cross (Mk 15 vs 42-46)

1 Our Father

7 Hail Mary

Holy Mother

Seventh Sorrow: Mary places the body of Jesus in the tomb awaiting Resurrection

(Jn 19 vs 40-42)

1 Our Father

7 Hail Mary

Holy Mother...2

Let us pray:- God, when your son was raised on the cross, you willed that his sorrowing
Mother be near to him. Like her, may we be united to the passion of Christ and share in the
glory of his resurrection. He lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

2
The Format for the Rosary was taken from, Servite Prayer Book, Marianum Press Ltd, Kisubi 2004 pg. 20-22
 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dominic Tafadzwa Nyakudya is a Seminarian in the Order

of the Servants of Mary. He was born and grew up in the
Republic of Zimbabwe. He completed his education from
primary to tertiary in Harare. He spent some time in
Swaziland doing his first stage in formation before he was
sent to Uganda where he is based now. He is currently based
at Mary Queen of Apostles Formation house in Kisoga
Mukono. Dominic is an author who enjoys academic research and writing. Dominic is a
devout Catholic evangelist and a motivational speaker.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Our Lady is an important figure in the Catholic faith. The Seven Sorrows Rosary is a
devotion which is not commonly known but very significant. The Seven Sorrows of Mary
which we meditate during the Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows reflect the sorrowful events in
the life of Jesus and Mary. This book explains the significance of these sorrows in the lives of
the Christians. This book gives you time to see the relevance of Mary in your life and her
intervention in our current sorrows. It gives more insight in the meaning of the seven
principal sorrows and also their significance to your life as an individual and the community
around. It is the aim of this book to establish a close relationship between Mary and all
humanity in all aspects of life.