Mary knows suffering. Not from a distance, not as an idea, but up close. She held her Son in her arms after His crucifixion. She stood by as He was mocked, beaten, and nailed to a cross. She said yes to God, knowing it would cost her everything. And she never ran away.
Our Lady of Sorrows is a devotion that helps us remember that. It walks through the seven major sorrows of Mary’s life and shows how she never lost faith. Not once.
I personally turn to this devotion, especially as we approach her feast day on September 15. It’s one of those quiet devotions that sneaks up on you. You don’t realize how powerful it is until you’re in the middle of praying it. When life feels heavy or confusing, I find myself going back to it.
The seven sorrows are:
- The prophecy of Simeon
- The flight into Egypt
- The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
- Mary meets Jesus on the way to Calvary
- The crucifixion and death of Jesus
- The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross
- The burial of Jesus
Each sorrow shows a mother who refuses to look away. A woman who loves deeply and suffers faithfully.
This devotion is not only for major grief or loss. It’s for the ordinary pain that comes with life. When your plans fall through. When your heart feels tired. When you’re carrying something you never asked for. Our Lady of Sorrows teaches us how to suffer with love, how to stay near Jesus when it’s hard, and how to trust God when nothing makes sense.
If you want to start, you don’t need anything fancy. I began with one sorrow at a time. Just sit with it. Read it slowly. Ask Mary to walk with you through whatever you’re carrying.
Here’s a simple guide to help you learn how to pray it:
👉 How to Pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary
Mary never abandons her children. If you’re struggling, tell her. I’ve prayed, “Mary, I don’t know what to do. But I trust you.” And she’s always brought me closer to her Son.
