September 15, the Feast of Sorrow of Mary
September 15, the Feast of Sorrow of MaryIn the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
My God, I offer you this Rosary in honour of the seven principal Sorrows of Mary, for your greatest glory, for my conversion and that of all people through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our salvation and our unique way to come to you, in union with the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen!
My God, I regret so much to have offended you because you are infinitely good, infinitely kind and you dislike sin. I make a firm resolution, with the help of your holy grace, never to offend you and to do penance. In this state of contrition, I want to live and die. Amen!
I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
The First Sorrow–The Prophecy
The prophecy of holy Simeon who told Our Sorrowful Mother of the bitter passion and death of Jesus.
Recite: Our Father and Seven Hail Marys
The Second Sorrow–The Flight
Our Sorrowful Mother is forced to flee into Egypt to save her beloved Son from the death decreed by Herod.
Recite: Our Father and Seven Hail Marys
The Third Sorrow–The Loss
Our Sorrowful Mother is separated From Jesus for three long days while He is lost in Jerusalem
Recite: Our Father and Seven Hail Marys
The Fourth Sorrow–The Meeting
Our Sorrowful Mother meets Jesus on the road to Calvary and sees Him fall under the cruel weight of the cross
Recite: Our Father and Seven Hail Marys
The Fifth Sorrow–Jesus Dies
Our Sorrowful Mother watches Jesus die on the Cross.
Recite: Our Father and Seven Hail Marys
The Sixth Sorrow–Mary Receives Jesus
Our Sorrowful Mother receives the dead body of Jesus in her arms.
Recite: Our Father and Seven Hail Marys
The Seventh Sorrow–The Burial
Our Sorrowful Mother sees Jesus placed in the sacred tomb.
Recite: Our Father and Seven Hail Marys
Conclusion
Recite: Three Our Father, Three Hail Marys
Sing or Recite
At the Cross Her Station Keeping (Sabat Mater Dolorosa)
Translation by Edward Caswall, Lyra Catholica, 1849
- At the Cross her station keeping,
stood the mournful Mother weeping,
close to her Son to the last. - Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
all His bitter anguish bearing,
now at length the sword has passed. - O how sad and sore distressed
was that Mother, highly blest,
of the sole-begotten One. - Christ above in torment hangs,
she beneath beholds the pangs
of her dying glorious Son. - Is there one who would not weep,
whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ's dear Mother to behold? - Can the human heart refrain
from partaking in her pain,
in that Mother's pain untold? - For the sins of His own nation,
She saw Jesus wracked with torment,
All with scourges rent: - She beheld her tender Child,
Saw Him hang in desolation,
Till His spirit forth He sent. - O thou Mother! fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above,
make my heart with thine accord - Make me feel as thou hast felt;
make my soul to glow and melt
with the love of Christ my Lord. - Holy Mother! pierce me through,
in my heart each wound renew
of my Savior crucified: - Let me share with thee His pain,
who for all my sins was slain,
who for me in torments died. - Let me mingle tears with thee,
mourning Him who mourned for me,
all the days that I may live: - By the Cross with thee to stay,
there with thee to weep and pray,
is all I ask of thee to give. - Virgin of all virgins blest!,
Listen to my fond request:
let me share thy grief divine; - Let me, to my latest breath,
in my body bear the death
of that dying Son of thine. - Wounded with His every wound,
steep my soul till it hath swooned,
in His very Blood away; - Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
lest in flames I burn and die,
in His awful Judgment Day. - Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,
be Thy Mother my defense,
be Thy Cross my victory; - While my body here decays,
may my soul Thy goodness praise,
Safe in Paradise with Thee.
