# Our Lady of Sorrows: Praying the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows
*2015-09-15*

> In honor of the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15th, Bill Young leads a prayer session focusing on the Act of Contrition and the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.

## Opening Prayer and Contrition

Good afternoon. This is Bill Young, and welcome to the 151st episode of Catholic Podcast Ministries' Prayer and Lunch. Today is September 15th, the feast day of Our Lady of Sorrows. Before we begin the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, I would like to pray the Act of Contrition.

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for all my sins because they offend you, who are infinitely good. And I firmly resolve, by the help of your grace, never to offend you again.

## The Apostles' Creed

We begin the chaplet in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Oh God, come to my aid; oh Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He 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. He is seated 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.

## Meditations on the Seven Sorrows

O Mary of Sorrows, I suffer with you the affection for which your tender heart experienced when you heard the prophecy of the elder prophet Simeon. Dear Mother, through your affected heart, grant me the virtue of humility and the gift of wonder and awe of God's presence. (Hail Mary...)

O Mary of Sorrows, I suffer with you the sorrows borne by the most sensitive heart in the flight into Egypt and throughout the stay there. Dear Mother, through your most affected heart, grant me the virtue of generosity to the poor and the gift of holiness. (Hail Mary...)

O Mary of Sorrows, I suffer with you the worry for which your anxious heart felt at the loss of your beloved son, Jesus. Dear Mother, through your troubled heart, grant me the virtue of patience and the gift of courage. (Hail Mary...)

O Mary of Sorrows, I suffer with you the dismay for which your heart experienced in the meeting of Jesus as He carried the cross. Dear Mother, through your troubled heart, grant me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge. (Hail Mary...)

O Mary of Sorrows, I suffer with you the torment borne by the gracious heart of you as Jesus was dying. Dear Mother, through your tormented heart, grant me the virtue of temperance and the gift of right judgment. (Hail Mary...)

O Mary of Sorrows, I suffer with you the wound for which your merciful heart was inflicted when the lance pierced the side of Jesus and wounded His heart. Dear Mother, through the pierced heart, grant me the virtue of charity and the gift of understanding. (Hail Mary...)

O Mary of Sorrows, I suffer with you the pain which your most beloved heart suffered in awaiting the burial of your son, Jesus. Dear Mother, through the heart which was harshly affected, grant me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom. (Hail Mary...)

## Closing Prayer

Pray for us, O sorrowful Virgin, that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ. 

Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, grant that today and at the hour of death, the Blessed Virgin Mary, your Mother, whose holy soul was pierced by the sword of sorrows during your Passion, may implore your mercy for us. This we ask through you, O Savior of the world, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

*By meditating on the Seven Sorrows of Mary, we seek to gain the virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit through her intercession.*