Preparatory Prayer

Virgin most pure and afflicted Mother of mercy, with the greatest submission of my heart I ask you to enlighten my mind and inflame my will, that with a fervent and compassionate spirit I may consider the sorrows of which I am reminded in your holy Chaplet. May I thus be able to obtain the graces and favors that your Son and you have promised to those who perform this devotion, and may I gain all the indulgences attached to it. Amen.

First Sorrow

I pity you, sweet Lady, for the sorrow you endured when, on presenting your holy Son in the temple, holy Simeon foretold his passion and death and the sword of sorrow that would pierce your heart. Grant, dear Mother, that I may feel in my heart your holy Son’s passion and your sorrows.

Our Father, seven Hail Mary’s, Glory Be

Second Sorrow

I pity you, sweet Lady, for the sorrow you endured during your flight intoEgypt, when poor and needy, you made such a long journey. Obtain for me, O Mother, the grace to flee from everything that can deprive me of the favor of your most holy Son, and may I be victorious over my enemies.

Our Father, seven Hail Mary’s, Glory Be

Third Sorrow

I pity you, sweet Lady, for the sorrow you endured in the loss of your most holy Son inJerusalemfor three days. Obtain for me the tears of true sorrow for my sins for the many times I have lost my God by them. Grant that, after your example, I may seek him diligently until I find him and live united to him forever.

Our Father, seven Hail Mary’s, Glory Be

Fourth Sorrow

I pity you, sweet Lady, for the sorrow you endured when seeing your most holy Son with the cross over his shoulders, walking towardCalvaryamong jeers, insults and falls. Grant, dear Mother, that I may carry patiently the cross of hardships and trials.

Our Father, seven Hail Mary’s, Glory Be

Fifth Sorrow

I pity you, sweet Lady, for the sorrow you endured on beholding your most holy Son dying on the cross between two thieves. Grant, dear Mother, that I may live crucified to all my vices and passions and nailed to the way of virtue.

Our Father, seven Hail Mary’s, Glory Be

Sixth Sorrow

I pity you, sweet Lady, for the sorrow you endured upon receiving in your arms the most sacred body of Jesus, inflicted with so many wounds. Grant, dear Mother, that my heart may live pierced by divine love and dead to all that caused your Son’s pitiful state.

Our Father, seven Hail Mary’s, Glory Be

Seventh Sorrow

I pity you, sweet Lady, for the sorrow you endured during the sad and bitter loneliness after your Son’s burial. Grant, dear Mother, that I may be buried to all worldly things and live for you alone.

Our Father, seven Hail Mary’s, Glory Be

Offering

Most pure Mary, pierced with sorrow by the sword prophesied by Simeon, mindful and needy escaping into Egypt, sad and afflicted searching for your lost Son, filled with grief and sorrow on finding him carrying the cross, sorrowful and afflicted on seeing him agonizing and dying, distressed and tormented with your dead Son in your arms, alone and comfortless on leaving him buried, I humbly implore you to obtain from the divine Majesty the grace for which I ask if it is for God’s greater glory and the good of my soul; and if not, may his holy will be done in all things and may I never offend him. I also entreat you to intercede for our Holy Father, the Pope, for peace and concord among nations, the suppression of all heresies, the conversion of sinners. Look with merciful eyes on your devoted servants and grant to all special graces for the greater glory of God. Amen.