Among the different types of rosary that exist, we can find a special rosary that allows us to meditate on the seven sorrows of the Virgin Mary from the birth to the burial of Christ.
It is a special rosary with 7 decades and medals of the Virgin, which you can buy in most religious bookstores.
Devotion to the Virgin of Sorrows begins with Saint Bridget of Sweden. She promised Saint Bridget graces for all those meditating on the seven sorrows. By 1600, devotion was becoming more and more popular. Then, in her appearance in Rwanda, the Virgin spoke explicitly of this rosary. She said to the seer: “What I ask of you is to repent. If you recite this rosary, by meditating on it, you will have the strength to repent” Thus this rosary allows us to change our hearts and it is therefore an important spiritual benefit, because we are all called to change and our hearts and walk in the ways of holiness.
We can start with a sign of the Cross and then read:
Introductory Prayer: O my God, I offer you this rosary in honor of the seven principal sorrows of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Co-Redemptrix, for your greater glory, for our conversion and that of all men to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our only Redeemer and our only way to come to you, in union with the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.”
and recite:
Act of Contrition: My God, I deeply regret having offended you, because you are infinitely good, infinitely lovable, and sin displeases you; I firmly resolve, with the help of your holy grace, not to offend you anymore, and to do penance. Amen”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The father and mother of Jesus marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:22-35)
“After they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” (Matthew 2:13)
“It took his parents three days to find him in the Temple; he was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you. ” (Luke 2:46-48)
Tradition tells us that the Virgin Mary was on Jesus' way to Mount Golgotha and that they met. However, no verse in the Gospels mentions it.
We can take a moment of silence before continuing this rosary.
“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” (John 19:25)
“So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.” (Mark 15:46)
“And he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock, where no one had ever been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.” (Luke 23:53-55)
The rosary of the seven sorrows is particularly prayed during Lent because it recalls a number of events experienced by Mary and Jesus at the time of the Passion. It is a rosary that we can meditate on Lenten Friday that will allow us to reflect on Good Friday.
You can find many communities on Hozana to learn how to pray the Rosary. There is also a community to discover another rosary that we can also pray on Lenten Friday: the rosary of divine mercy. The Rosario app will help you better meditate on the Rosary through the different mysteries every day.