The Septem Dolorum Beatæ Mariæ Virginis—the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary—form one of the most profound devotions of Catholic tradition. They are not only a meditation on the sufferings of Our Lady, but also a path into the mystery of the Passion of Christ, seen through the eyes of His Mother.
Origin of the Devotion
The devotion to Our Lady’s Sorrows is rooted in Sacred Scripture and the Church Fathers. Simeon’s prophecy—“et tuam ipsius animam pertransibit gladius” (Lk 2:35)—has always been read as a foretelling of Mary’s lifelong suffering in union with her Son.
The Servite Order (Ordo Servorum Mariæ), founded in the 13th century in Florence, became the principal promoters of this devotion. The Servites contemplated Mary at the foot of the Cross and formalized the practice of meditating on her seven principal dolors. Pope Pius VII later enriched the devotion with indulgences and approved the feast of the Seven Sorrows (celebrated on September 15, the day after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross).
The Seven Sorrows
Tradition enumerates them as follows:
- The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25–35)
– Mary hears the old man foretell that her Son will be a sign of contradiction, and her soul pierced with a sword. - The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15)
– The Holy Family flees under cover of night to escape Herod’s murderous rage. - The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41–50)
– After three days of anguish, Mary and Joseph find Jesus among the doctors of the Law. - Mary Meets Jesus Carrying His Cross (Luke 23:27–31; John 19:17)
– On the Via Dolorosa, Mother and Son meet in a silent exchange of sorrow. - The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25–30)
– Mary stands steadfast at the foot of the Cross, offering her Son with infinite love. - The Body of Jesus is Placed in Mary’s Arms (Luke 23:50–54)
– Pietà: the dead Christ is laid upon His Mother’s lap, fulfilling Simeon’s prophecy. - The Burial of Jesus (Luke 23:55–56)
– Mary watches her Son’s sacred Body laid in the tomb, wrapped in linen, sealed away.
Spiritual Significance
The Seven Sorrows devotion is a school of compassion and union with Christ’s Passion. By meditating on Mary’s dolors, the faithful learn to:
- Conform the heart to Christ crucified through the example of His Mother.
- Enter into the mystery of redemptive suffering, offered not in bitterness but in love.
- Receive graces of consolation and perseverance—traditionally, Our Lady promised that those devoted to her Sorrows would obtain particular aid at the hour of death.
Saints such as St. Alphonsus Liguori and St. Bridget of Sweden promoted this devotion, emphasizing that Mary’s sorrows were not passive but actively united with Christ’s sacrifice.
Liturgical Commemoration
The Church honors Our Lady of Sorrows twice:
- Friday in Passion Week (traditional calendar, before Palm Sunday),
- September 15, the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Stabat Mater, a medieval hymn attributed to Jacopone da Todi, is sung in her honor, especially during the Stations of the Cross and at this feast.