Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows

Day 1

Mary, Mother of Sorrows

Mary's sorrows began with her faithful consent to God's will and unfolded throughout the life of Jesus. She did not withdraw her consent when obedience became painful. She remained the Lord's humble servant in joy, uncertainty, danger, and grief. As you begin this novena, place your needs within her wounded heart. Ask her to teach you the steady faith that remains close to Christ when his purposes are hidden. Mary understands human sorrow, and her intercession directs every suffering heart toward her Son.

O most holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who stood beneath the Cross, witnessing the agony of thy dying Son, look down with a mother's tenderness and pity upon me, who kneel before thee to venerate thy Dolors, and to place my request, with filial confidence, in the sanctuary of thy wounded heart. Present them, I beseech thee, on my behalf, to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy sufferings at the foot of the Cross; and through the united efficacy of both, obtain the grant of my present petition. To whom shall I have recourse in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of Mercy, who, having so deeply drunk of the chalice of thy Son, canst compassionate the woes of those who still sigh in the land of exile? Offer to our Divine Saviour one drop of the Blood He shed, one pang of the anguish He felt, one tear of those thou didst shed, and obtain for me the request I make. Amen.

Day 2

The Prophecy of Simeon

Simeon foretold that a sword would pierce Mary's soul. His words revealed that the Messiah's saving work would be opposed and that his Mother would share deeply in his suffering. Mary received this prophecy without turning away from her vocation. She kept trusting God as the meaning of Simeon's words gradually became clear. Ask for grace to receive difficult truths with faith rather than fear. When future suffering seems threatening, Mary helps you remain attentive to God and confident that his promises will not fail.

O most holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who stood beneath the Cross, witnessing the agony of thy dying Son, look down with a mother's tenderness and pity upon me, who kneel before thee to venerate thy Dolors, and to place my request, with filial confidence, in the sanctuary of thy wounded heart. Present them, I beseech thee, on my behalf, to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy sufferings at the foot of the Cross; and through the united efficacy of both, obtain the grant of my present petition. To whom shall I have recourse in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of Mercy, who, having so deeply drunk of the chalice of thy Son, canst compassionate the woes of those who still sigh in the land of exile? Offer to our Divine Saviour one drop of the Blood He shed, one pang of the anguish He felt, one tear of those thou didst shed, and obtain for me the request I make. Amen.

Day 3

The Flight into Egypt

Mary and Joseph fled into Egypt to protect the Child Jesus from Herod. Mary knew the fear of sudden danger, forced departure, and life far from home. Yet even in exile she carried the Savior of the world in her arms. Her sorrow was joined to practical obedience and trust in God's guidance. Ask her intercession for families facing violence, displacement, or uncertainty. In your own insecurity, remember that Christ remains present. God may lead by unfamiliar paths, but his providence does not abandon those who trust him.

O most holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who stood beneath the Cross, witnessing the agony of thy dying Son, look down with a mother's tenderness and pity upon me, who kneel before thee to venerate thy Dolors, and to place my request, with filial confidence, in the sanctuary of thy wounded heart. Present them, I beseech thee, on my behalf, to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy sufferings at the foot of the Cross; and through the united efficacy of both, obtain the grant of my present petition. To whom shall I have recourse in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of Mercy, who, having so deeply drunk of the chalice of thy Son, canst compassionate the woes of those who still sigh in the land of exile? Offer to our Divine Saviour one drop of the Blood He shed, one pang of the anguish He felt, one tear of those thou didst shed, and obtain for me the request I make. Amen.

Day 4

The Child Jesus Lost

For three days Mary and Joseph searched sorrowfully for Jesus. Their grief shows the depth of their love and the anguish caused by his absence. When they found him in the Temple, Mary did not fully understand his answer, but she treasured these things in her heart. Faith sometimes continues without immediate understanding. If God seems distant, keep seeking him through prayer, the sacraments, and faithful obedience. Ask Mary to help you persevere until Christ is found anew, especially when anxiety or spiritual dryness weighs upon your heart.

O most holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who stood beneath the Cross, witnessing the agony of thy dying Son, look down with a mother's tenderness and pity upon me, who kneel before thee to venerate thy Dolors, and to place my request, with filial confidence, in the sanctuary of thy wounded heart. Present them, I beseech thee, on my behalf, to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy sufferings at the foot of the Cross; and through the united efficacy of both, obtain the grant of my present petition. To whom shall I have recourse in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of Mercy, who, having so deeply drunk of the chalice of thy Son, canst compassionate the woes of those who still sigh in the land of exile? Offer to our Divine Saviour one drop of the Blood He shed, one pang of the anguish He felt, one tear of those thou didst shed, and obtain for me the request I make. Amen.

Day 5

Meeting Jesus on Calvary

Christian tradition remembers Mary meeting Jesus as he carried the Cross. She could not remove his burden, but she gave him the faithful presence of a mother's love. Her closeness teaches you that compassion does not always mean solving another person's suffering. Sometimes love remains near, shares the burden, and refuses to turn away. Ask Mary for courage to stand beside those who suffer. Ask also for humility to receive help when your own cross feels heavy. Every act of faithful compassion can lead a wounded person closer to Christ.

O most holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who stood beneath the Cross, witnessing the agony of thy dying Son, look down with a mother's tenderness and pity upon me, who kneel before thee to venerate thy Dolors, and to place my request, with filial confidence, in the sanctuary of thy wounded heart. Present them, I beseech thee, on my behalf, to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy sufferings at the foot of the Cross; and through the united efficacy of both, obtain the grant of my present petition. To whom shall I have recourse in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of Mercy, who, having so deeply drunk of the chalice of thy Son, canst compassionate the woes of those who still sigh in the land of exile? Offer to our Divine Saviour one drop of the Blood He shed, one pang of the anguish He felt, one tear of those thou didst shed, and obtain for me the request I make. Amen.

Day 6

Jesus Dies on the Cross

Mary stood beneath the Cross and witnessed the death of her Son. She remained united to him with a love stronger than fear and grief. There Jesus entrusted the beloved disciple to Mary and gave Mary to the disciple as his mother. The Church receives her maternal care as a gift from the crucified Lord. Bring your deepest sorrow to the foot of the Cross with her. Ask for the grace to believe that Christ's sacrifice has conquered sin and that even the darkest suffering can be offered within his redeeming love.

O most holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who stood beneath the Cross, witnessing the agony of thy dying Son, look down with a mother's tenderness and pity upon me, who kneel before thee to venerate thy Dolors, and to place my request, with filial confidence, in the sanctuary of thy wounded heart. Present them, I beseech thee, on my behalf, to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy sufferings at the foot of the Cross; and through the united efficacy of both, obtain the grant of my present petition. To whom shall I have recourse in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of Mercy, who, having so deeply drunk of the chalice of thy Son, canst compassionate the woes of those who still sigh in the land of exile? Offer to our Divine Saviour one drop of the Blood He shed, one pang of the anguish He felt, one tear of those thou didst shed, and obtain for me the request I make. Amen.

Day 7

Jesus Taken from the Cross

After Jesus died, his body was taken down from the Cross. Christian devotion contemplates Mary receiving the body of the Son she had once held as an infant. Her grief was profound, yet her faith did not end at Calvary. She honored the body of Jesus with reverence and love. Ask Mary to comfort parents who mourn and all who grieve the death of someone dear. Let her teach you to treat every human body with dignity, since each person is created by God and called to resurrection in Christ.

O most holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who stood beneath the Cross, witnessing the agony of thy dying Son, look down with a mother's tenderness and pity upon me, who kneel before thee to venerate thy Dolors, and to place my request, with filial confidence, in the sanctuary of thy wounded heart. Present them, I beseech thee, on my behalf, to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy sufferings at the foot of the Cross; and through the united efficacy of both, obtain the grant of my present petition. To whom shall I have recourse in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of Mercy, who, having so deeply drunk of the chalice of thy Son, canst compassionate the woes of those who still sigh in the land of exile? Offer to our Divine Saviour one drop of the Blood He shed, one pang of the anguish He felt, one tear of those thou didst shed, and obtain for me the request I make. Amen.

Day 8

Jesus Laid in the Tomb

Mary watched as the body of Jesus was placed in the tomb. The stone appeared to seal every earthly hope, but God's saving work was not finished. Mary waited in faith through the silence that followed the Passion. Her sorrow teaches patient trust when nothing seems to be changing. Ask her to remain near you during grief, uncertainty, and long periods of waiting. Entrust the dead to Christ, who entered the grave and overcame it. Christian mourning is real, but it rests upon the promised resurrection of the body.

O most holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who stood beneath the Cross, witnessing the agony of thy dying Son, look down with a mother's tenderness and pity upon me, who kneel before thee to venerate thy Dolors, and to place my request, with filial confidence, in the sanctuary of thy wounded heart. Present them, I beseech thee, on my behalf, to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy sufferings at the foot of the Cross; and through the united efficacy of both, obtain the grant of my present petition. To whom shall I have recourse in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of Mercy, who, having so deeply drunk of the chalice of thy Son, canst compassionate the woes of those who still sigh in the land of exile? Offer to our Divine Saviour one drop of the Blood He shed, one pang of the anguish He felt, one tear of those thou didst shed, and obtain for me the request I make. Amen.

Day 9

Hope Beyond All Sorrow

The Seven Sorrows do not end in defeat. Mary who stood beside the Cross also shared the joy of her risen Son and now reigns with him in glory. Her life shows that suffering offered with Christ can bear lasting fruit. As this novena closes, renew your trust in her maternal intercession. Place your petition in God's hands and ask for the grace to accept his answer faithfully. Our Lady of Sorrows remains close to every wounded heart and leads her children toward the peace, mercy, and victory of Jesus.

O most holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs, who stood beneath the Cross, witnessing the agony of thy dying Son, look down with a mother's tenderness and pity upon me, who kneel before thee to venerate thy Dolors, and to place my request, with filial confidence, in the sanctuary of thy wounded heart. Present them, I beseech thee, on my behalf, to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy sufferings at the foot of the Cross; and through the united efficacy of both, obtain the grant of my present petition. To whom shall I have recourse in my wants and miseries, if not to thee, O Mother of Mercy, who, having so deeply drunk of the chalice of thy Son, canst compassionate the woes of those who still sigh in the land of exile? Offer to our Divine Saviour one drop of the Blood He shed, one pang of the anguish He felt, one tear of those thou didst shed, and obtain for me the request I make. Amen.

Closing prayer

V. Pray for us, O most sorrowful Virgin. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. O God, in Whose Passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon, a sword of sorrow pierced the most sweet soul of the glorious Virgin Mother Mary, grant that we who reverently commemorate her sorrows may obtain the blessed fruits of Thy Passion. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.