Chaplet_Seven

This devotion, instituted in the course of the
thirteenth century, honors the Sorrows endured
by the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is recited on a
Rosary comprised of seven decades containing
seven beads in each decade. Each decade of
seven is divided from the rest by medals
representing the seven principal sorrows of Her life.

The chaplet is said by offering a Hail Mary
on each of the beads, with an Our Father
each seven Hail Mary's. Completion of the
chaplet requires three Hail Mary's at the end
in honor of the sorrowful tears of Our Lady.

     First Sorrow:

Reflect on the sorrow of Our Blessed Lady,
when She presented Her Divine Child in the
Temple and heard from the aged Simeon that
a sword of grief would pierce Her soul.

     Second Sorrow:

Reflect on Her sorrow when, to escape the
cruelty of King Herod, She was forced to
fly into Egypt with St. Joseph and Her
Beloved Child. Pray for those who kill
children today by abortion.

     Third Sorrow:

Reflect on Her grief when, in returning from
Jerusalem, She found that She had lost Her
dear Jesus, Whom She sought for three days.

     Fourth Sorrow:

Reflect on Her meeting Her divine Son, all
bruised and bleeding, carrying His Cross to
Calvary, and seeing Him fall under its
heavy weight.

     Fifth Sorrow:

Reflect on Her standing by, when Her Divine
Son was lifted up on the Cross and the blood
flowed in streams from His Sacred Wounds.

     Sixth Sorrow:

Reflect on Her sorrow, when Her Divine son
was taken down from the Cross, and placed
in Her arms.

     Seventh Sorrow:

Reflect on Her following His Sacred Body as
it was borne by Joseph of Arimathea and
Nicodemus to the sepulcher.