V: O God, come to my assistance. R: O Lord, make haste to help me. 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. 1) PROPHECY OF SIMEON I grieve for you, Mary most sorrowful, in the affliction of your tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon. Dear Mother, by your heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the holy fear of God. Recite 1 Hail Mary 2) FLIGHT INTO EGYPT I grieve for you, Mary most sorrowful, in the anguish of your most affectionate heart during the flight into Egypt and your sojourn there. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of generosity. especially toward the poor, and the gift of piety. Recite 1 Hail Mary 3) JESUS IS LOST FOR THREE DAYS I grieve for you, Mary most sorrowful, in those anxieties which tried your troubled heart at the loss of your dear Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart so full of anguish, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge Recite 1 Hail Mary 4) MARY MEETS JESUS WHILE HE CARRIES HIS CROSS I grieve for you, Mary most sorrowful, in the consternation of your heart at seeing Jesus as He carried His cross. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude. Recite 1 Hail Mary 5) JESUS IS CRUCIFIED I grieve for you, Mary most sorrowful, in the martyrdom which your generous heart endured in standing near Jesus in His agony. Dear Mother, by your afflicted heart, obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel. Recite 1 Hail Mary 6) JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS I grieve for you, Mary most sorrowful, in the wounding of your compassionate heart, when the side of Jesus was struck by the lance before His Body was removed the cross. Mother, by your heart thus transfixed, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding. Recite 1 Hail Mary 7) JESUS IS LAID IN THE SEPULCHER I grieve for you, Mary most sorrowful, for the pangs that wrenched your most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart sunk in the bitterness of desolation, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom. Recite 1 Hail Mary Let us pray: Let intercession be made for us, we beseech You, O Lord Jesus Christ, now and at the hour of our death, before the throne of Your mercy, by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, whose most holy soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the hour of Your bitter Passion. Through You, O Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns world without end Amen. PRAYER OF ST. BONAVENTURE TO THE MOTHER OF SORROWS: O sorrowful Virgin, unite me at least to the humiliations and wounds of your Son, so that both He and you may find comfort in having someone share in your sufferings. Oh, how happy I would be if I could do this! For is there perhaps anything greater, sweeter, or more advantageous for a person? Why do you not grant me what I ask? If I have offended you, be just and pierce my heart. If I have been faithful to you, leave me not without reward. Give me your sorrows! PRAYER OF ST. ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORI: O afflicted Virgin, O soul great in virtues, as in sorrows, both the one and the other spring from that great fire burning in your heart for God, the only love of your heart! Mother, have pity on me, who has not loved God, and who has so greatly offended Him. Your sorrows, it is true, assure me of pardon, but that is not sufficient. I wish to love God. Who could obtain for me that grace if not you, who are the Mother of holy love. O Mary, you console everyone; favor me, also, with your consolations. Amen.