Our Lady invites us to do this graceful devotion
Devotion to the seven pains of Mary
it became a standard devotion in the Church around the 14th century.
It was revealed to Saint Brigid of Sweden (1303-1373) that the devotion to the Seven Pains of the Blessed Virgin Mary would bring great graces.
Devotion consists in praying seven Hail Marys while meditating on the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
Mary, in a unique way, willingly suffered alongside her Divine Son while giving her life to save the world, and she felt the bitterness of her passion as only a mother can.
This devotion is remembered above all during the month of September, the month of Our Lady of Sorrows (the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is September 15th) and during Lent.
Mary's seven pains:
1. Simeon's prophecy (Luke 2: 34-35)
2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2: 13-21)
3. The loss of Jesus for three days (Luke 2: 41-50)
4. The transport of the cross (John 19:17)
5. The crucifixion of Jesus (John 19: 18-30)
6. Jesus shot down by the cross (John 19: 39-40)
7. Jesus lay in the grave (John 19: 39-42)
The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is September 15th
Seven promises to those who meditate on the seven pains of the Madonna:
The Blessed Virgin Mary grants seven thanks to the souls who honor her daily by meditating (i.e. mental prayer) on her seven pains (pains).
The Ave Maria is prayed seven times, once after each meditation.
1. "I will grant peace to their families".
2. "They will be enlightened regarding the Divine Mysteries."
3. "I will comfort them in their pains and accompany them in their work".
4. "I will give them what they ask until it opposes 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 protect them in every moment of their life".
6. "I will help them visibly at the time of their death, they will see the face of their Mother".
7. "I obtained this grace from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and my pains, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be the their eternal consolation and joy. "
Prayer to the Madonna of the Seven Sorrows
Pope Pius VII approved another series of prayers in honor of the Seven Pains for daily meditation of 1815:
O God, come to my aid;
O Lord, hurry to help me.
Glory to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and always will be, an endless world.
Amen.
1. I am sorry for you, O Mary, very painful, in the affliction of your tender heart for the prophecy of the holy and old Simeon.
Dear Mother, with your heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of holy fear of God.
Holy Mary…
2. I am saddened by you, O Mary, more painful, in the anguish of your most affectionate heart during your flight to Egypt and your stay there.
Dear Mother, with your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of generosity, especially towards the poor and the gift of piety.
Holy Mary…
3. I am saddened for you, O Mary, more painful, in those anxieties that have felt your troubled heart at the loss of your dear Jesus.
Dear Mother, with your heart so full of anguish, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge.
Holy Mary…
4. I am saddened for you, O Mary, very painful, in the dismay of your heart in meeting Jesus while carrying his cross.
Dear Mother, with your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude.
Holy Mary…
5. It pains me for you, O Mary, the most painful, in the martyrdom that your generous heart endured by being close to Jesus in his agony.
Dear Mother, from your afflicted heart you obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of advice.
Holy Mary…
6. I am saddened for you, O Mary, very painful, in the wounding of your compassionate heart, when the side of Jesus was hit by the spear before His Body was removed from the Cross.
Dear Mother, with your heart so pierced, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding.
Holy Mary…
7. It pains me for you, O Mary, the most painful, for the pangs that tore your most loving heart from the burial of Jesus.
Dear Mother, with your heart sunk in the bitterness of desolation, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom.
Holy Mary…
Let's pray:
We make the intercession for us, we beg you, O Lord Jesus Christ, now and at the hour of our death, before the throne of your mercy, by the Blessed Virgin Mary, your mother, whose most holy soul was pierced by a sword of pain in the hour of your bitter Passion.
Through you, or Jesus Christ, savior of the world, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns the world without end.
Amen.