The Catholic Defender: The Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows Day 9

The seven sorrows of Mary are:

1. St. Simeon’s Prophecy (Luke 2:35)

2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-14)

3. The Loss of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:44-52)

4. The Meeting of Mary and Jesus on the Way to Calvary (Tradition Luke 23:26-32)

5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:16-30)

6. The Piercing of the Side of Jesus, and His Descent from the Cross (John 19:31-37 and Tradition)

7. The Burial of Jesus (John 19:38-42)

According to St. Alphonsus de Liguori (The Glories of Mary) it was revealed to Saint Elizabeth that at the request of Our Lady, Our Lord promised four principal graces to those devoted to Her Sorrows:

In addition to these four graces there are also seven promises attached to the practice of daily praying seven Hail Mary’s while meditating on Our Lady’s Tears and Sorrows. These seven promises were revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden:

1. “I will grant peace to their families.”

2. “They will be enlightened about the divine Mysteries.”

3. “I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.”

4. “I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of My divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.”

5. “I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.”

6. “I will visibly help them at the moment of their death — they will see the face of their Mother.”

7. “I have obtained this grace from My divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to My tears and sorrows will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be forgiven and My Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.”

Here is the Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows (from the Raccolta). May be said as a nine day novena and/or as a companion to the daily recitation of 7 Hail Mary prayers offered in honor of Our Lady’s Sorrows.

Each day begin with:

V. O God, come to my assistance;

R. O Lord, make haste to help me.

V. Glory be, etc. R. As it was, etc.

Then

V. Pray for us, O Virgin most sorrowful,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

Let intercession be made for us, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, now and at the hour of our death, before the throne of Thy mercy, by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, whose most holy soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the hour of Thy bitter Passion. We ask this through Thee, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

Day 9

Our Lady of Sorrows

We end as we began nine days ago: with Mary, weeping silently beside the cross. Weeping for the innocent child so violently taken. Weeping for the nation which has let him die. Weeping for her child and for our Salvation, we place them both in her arms.

V. Pray for us, most Sorrowful Virgin,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O God, in whose Passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon, a sword of grief pierced through the most sweet soul of Thy glorious Blessed Virgin Mother Mary: grant that we, who celebrate the memory of her Seven Sorrows, may obtain the happy effect of Your Passion, Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen