# The Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary
*2015-09-15*

> Bill Young guides listeners through the history, meaning, and prayer of the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows, invoking Mary’s sorrows for repentance and conversion.

## Introduction and Origin

Good evening, I’m Bill Young. Today, September 15, we honor Our Lady of Sorrows and pray the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows. The devotion originates from a vision received by a woman named Maria Claire in Rwanda, Africa. In that apparition, Mary asked us to repent and to pray this chaplet so that we might have the courage to ask forgiveness. The message was first given on May 31, 1982, and again on August 15, 1982, when Mary warned of future wars and suffering. By praying this chaplet we console her sorrows and obtain graces of repentance for ourselves and others.

## Opening Prayers

We begin with the sign of the cross and the Apostles’ Creed:

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

Then we offer the chaplet:

My God, I offer you this Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows for the greater glory of your most holy Mother. May I meditate on her suffering and share in it, that I and all sinners may be truly sorry for our sins and receive perfect contrition.

## The Seven Sorrows

Each sorrow is announced with an Our Father, seven Hail Marys, and a short meditation.

1. **The Prophecy of Simeon** – “A sword will pierce your soul.” (Luke 2:34‑35)
2. **The Flight into Egypt** – Joseph’s dream to protect the Holy Family (Matthew 2:13‑15).
3. **The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple** – Mary’s anguish when Jesus was found after three days (Luke 2:41‑52).
4. **Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary** – The crowd’s lament as He carries the cross (Luke 23:27‑31).
5. **Mary at the Foot of the Cross** – Jesus entrusts His mother to John (John 19:26‑27).
6. **Mary Receives the Body of Christ** – The solemn burial of our Lord (John 19:38‑40).
7. **Mary at the Tomb** – The empty tomb and the hope of the Resurrection (John 20:1‑18).

For each sorrow we pray:

Our Father…
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

## Closing Prayer

Mother of Mercy, remind our hearts of the suffering of Jesus during His Passion. O Mary, humble handmaid of the Lord, grant us the courage to follow Christ’s example, to accept our own sorrows, and to bring hope to those who suffer. May we, like you, be guardians of God’s people and bear witness to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.

*Praying the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows draws us into Mary’s compassion and strengthens our resolve to repent and hope.*