The Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows

The Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows, also known as the Rosary of the Mater Dolorosa, is an ancient prayer, that dates back to the first centuries. My family heard about this prayer from the priests of Miles Christi, and Our Lady of Kibeho asked people to pray it during her apparitions in Rwanda. In light of this, as well as it is a good devotion for Lent, I decided to share with you the Method for the Rosary of the Mater Dolorosa.

This is what the Mater Dolorosa rosary looks like. Instead of a crucifix, there is a medal with Our Lady of Sorrows on one side, and a scene of the crucifixtion on the other. There are seven decades, with seven Hail Mary's each, and instead of beads for the Our Fathers, there are medals with scenes of each of the seven sorrows. You can still pray this on a regular rosary, if you don't have a Mater Dolorosa rosary, just remember there are only seven Hail Mary's and not ten!

Method for the Rosary of the Mater Dolorosa

V. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

I believe in God the Father the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

R. I belive in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

V. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

R. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

V. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

R. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

R. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

V. Today we will meditate on the Sorrows of Our Lady. In the first sorrow let us contemplate (The Prophecy of…)

V. Our Father…

R. Give us this day…

V. Hail Mary…

R. Holy Mary…

[seven times]

V. Glory be to the Father…

R. As it was…

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy!

V. In the second sorrow let us contemplate…

At the end of the seventh sorrow say:

V. Let us pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, in order to obtain the holy indulgences. (Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be)

V. Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

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

Seven Sorrows of our Lady

1. The Prophecy of Holy Simeon.
2. The Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt.
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple.
4. The Encounter of Jesus with His Blessed Mother as He Carries the Cross.
5. The Crucifixion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ and Mary at the Foot of the Cross.
6. The Descent from the Cross, and Jesus in the Arms of His Most Blessed Mother.
7. The Burial of Our Lord, and the Loneliness of the Blessed Virgin.