💔 Our Lady of Sorrows: Devotion, Feast Day, and Her Seven Sorrows
(updated September 2025)
“As we are under great obligations to Jesus for His Passion endured for our love, so also are we under great obligations to Mary for the martyrdom which She voluntarily suffered for our salvation in the death of Her Son.” — St. Albert the Great
The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, celebrated on September 15, invites us to meditate on the suffering, faith, and compassion of the Blessed Virgin Mary. From the moment she accepted her role as Mother of the Savior, she knew her heart would be pierced with sorrow.
This devotion reflects on seven profound moments in Mary’s life — moments where her heart was united with the suffering of Christ. Her pain, though spiritual and emotional, was no less a martyrdom than those who endured physical torture. She is rightly called the Queen of Martyrs.
Why reflect on these sorrows? Because they help us enter more deeply into the Passion of Christ, with the heart of His mother. As St. Alphonsus de Liguori reminds us: “The Blessed Virgin Mary, for the love She bore us, was willing to see Her Son sacrificed to Divine Justice… This great torment deserves both our compassion and our gratitude.”
📜 History of the Feast
The devotion to Our Lady’s sorrows dates back to the 12th century. Known as the “Feast of Our Lady of Compassion” or “Our Lady of the Seven Dolors,” it became more widely celebrated in the 17th century. In 1913, Pope Pius X declared September 15 as the official feast day.
By meditating on Mary’s sorrows, we draw closer to the Cross and unite our own pain to hers. This is a powerful way to deepen our trust in God, even through suffering.
🕊️ The Seven Sorrows of Mary
The First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25–35)
When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, “This child is destined… to be a sign that will be opposed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” From that moment, Mary knew sorrow would walk beside her joy.
The Second Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15)
Warned in a dream, Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod’s wrath. Mary fled in haste, fearing for her child’s life, trusting God would protect them.
The Third Sorrow: The Loss of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41–50)
After the Passover feast, Jesus was unknowingly left behind. Mary and Joseph searched anxiously for three days before finding Him teaching in the temple. Mary’s heart surely feared the worst — yet Jesus gently reminded her of His divine mission.
The Fourth Sorrow: Mary Encounters Jesus on the Way to Calvary
Imagine the pain that pierced Mary’s heart as she locked eyes with her bloodied, suffering Son. On the road to Calvary, she could not ease His pain or carry His cross, but she walked the path of suffering with Him.
St. Bridget of Sweden recounted Mary’s words: “By the footsteps of my Son, I knew where He had passed, for along the way the ground was marked with blood.” This sorrow reminds us that presence—even in suffering—can be one of the greatest acts of love.
The Fifth Sorrow: Jesus Dies on the Cross
Mary stood at the foot of the Cross, her heart breaking as she witnessed her beloved Son’s final breath. Her silence wasn’t weakness—it was strength rooted in total surrender to God’s will.
St. John Chrysostom described it this way: “Anyone who had been present then on Mount Calvary would have seen two altars—one in the body of Jesus, the other in the heart of Mary.”
As you gaze upon a crucifix today, remember that Mary was there, too—offering her own maternal sacrifice with Christ’s.
The Sixth Sorrow: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
Jesus’ lifeless body is laid in Mary’s arms—this is the moment captured in Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Pietà. The word “Pietà” means compassion, and this moment powerfully embodies the sorrow of a mother holding her dead child.
The silent strength of Mary here echoes the sorrow of every mother who has lost a child, and it invites us to entrust our pain to her care. She understands our grief intimately.
The Seventh Sorrow: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
With sorrow and reverence, Mary watches as her Son is wrapped in burial cloths and laid in the tomb. There is nothing left to hold—only memories and faith that the story isn’t over.
Even in the darkness of grief, Mary models unwavering trust. Her example teaches us to hope when all seems lost and to trust in God's promise of resurrection.
Let Us Not Forget Her Sorrows
After reflecting on the Seven Sorrows, we’re reminded not to take Mary’s sacrifice for granted. She once said to St. Bridget: “I look around at all who are on earth to see if there are any who pity Me, and meditate upon My Sorrows… and I find very few.”
Let us be among those few. This September 15, and always, may we honor Our Lady by offering her our hearts and uniting our sufferings with hers. If our sins have caused her sorrow, may our repentance bring her joy.
How to Celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
- Pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows
- Attend Mass and offer your suffering to Jesus through Mary
- Display a Sorrowful Mother print in your home
- Teach children about Mary’s sorrows using images or crafts
- Offer small sacrifices or acts of kindness in reparation for sins
Reflection: Mary, Our Compassionate Mother
St. Alphonsus de Liguori reminds us: “At least let us give a few moments this day to consider the greatness of the sufferings by which Mary became the Queen of martyrs.”
Mary’s sorrows are not just a historical recounting — they are an invitation for us to unite our sufferings to Christ, with the comfort of knowing that His mother understands our pain.
Let us not forget her sorrow. Let us remember her steadfast faith, her silent strength, and her motherly love.
Bring Her Image Into Your Home
Product Highlight: Sorrowful Mary Framed Print
This stunning artwork captures Our Lady’s anguish and reverence, perfect for home devotion or prayer spaces.
- Size: 8" x 10" print in multiple frame styles
- Made in Italy
- Packaged in a protective gift box
→ View and Shop the Sorrowful Mother Print
Explore More Devotionals
“O Mother most sorrowful, help us to trust in God’s plan, even in the midst of pain. Help us to stand at the foot of our crosses with the same courage and love as you.”
