1. Meditate on the “Seven Sorrows of Mary” in Scripture. They are the prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35); the flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-21); the loss of Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50); Jesus’ carrying of the Cross (John 19:17); the Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:18-30); Jesus taken down from the Cross (John 19:39-40); and the burial of Jesus in the tomb (John 19:39-42). Ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten your mind and heart as you pray.

2. Pray a novena to Our Lady of Sorrows. Lifting a novena for nine days in a row is a pious practice. The Servites of Mary, a religious order with a mission to those sick or suffering, not only shepherd the Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows in Chicago, they maintain a web page at Bit.ly/OLSnovena with novena prayers. Start praying in the nine days before September 15, concluding on that memorial. But you can pray it anytime—there are no limitations on novenas.

3. Sing and pray with the hymn “Stabat Mater.” Often associated with Lent, Good Friday or the Stations of the Cross, this hymn comes from a medieval poem recited on the September 15th memorial for Our Lady of Sorrows. The Latin title comes from its first line Stabat Mater dolorosa, which means “the sorrowful mother was standing”—recalling Mary’s faithful presence at the Crucifixion of Jesus. Visit Bit.ly/StabatMaterOLS where the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, whose charism also draws inspiration from Mary, offer the lyrics to the hymn.

4. Pray the sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary for your intentions. Consider Mary’s sorrowful heart, and ask for strength and grace as you pray these well-known mysteries of the agony in the garden, the scourging at the pillar, the crowning with thorns, the carrying of the Cross and the Crucifixion.

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Recommended Resources

For adult study:

Mysteries of the Rosary (Threshold Bible Study)

This study explores the biblical roots of each of the mysteries of the rosary and the meditative tradition of this popular prayer. Enhance your reflection on the joyful, luminous, sorrowful, and glorious mysteries by understanding their biblical underpinnings.

For children:

Living Faith KIDS sticker books in English

Living Faith KIDS sticker books in Spanish