The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15, the day after the feast of the Holy Cross to show the close connection between Jesus’ Passion and Mary’s Sorrows. This feast has its roots in the Gospel. The devotion to the Sorrows of Mary is centred on the Seven Sorrows and Promises of our mother Mary which everyone should know and pray. They are all based on the scripture and illustrate Mary’s role in the history of salvation. BETTY AMUKPO tasks some children on the respective Seven Sorrows and Promises. Excerpts.
‘Mother Mary promised to help us in difficulties’
The seven sorrows of our Mother Mary are centred on the sufferings and pains that she went through, from the birth to the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to the prophecy of Simeon, a sword will pierce through her soul – Luke 2:34. Mary promised to help us in difficulties as shown in John 2:3.
• Ajaebili Michael Ekene
‘The seven sorrows explains to us that in life, we will go through challenges while the seven promises is a bringer of hope for the believer’
The Seven Sorrows of Mary and promises of our mother of sorrows are important for us to know and pray. They are all based on scriptural verses which will help us to go through and overcome challenges as well as help us recall Mary’s role in history of salvation. The seven sorrows explains to us that in life, we will go through challenges and the seven promises is a bringer of hope for the believer It is said that Mary revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden seven promises that those who will pray these sorrows will be filled with hope and will surely want to implement this devotion in your own prayer life.
• Eyinade Gideon
‘Grant them desirable wish; defend them in their Spiritual battles’
The seven sorrows is simply the event that makes Mary a unique participant in Christ’s suffering. The Promises:
1.Grant peace to their families.
2.Enlightenment about Divine Mysteries.
3.Consolation in their pain.
4.Grant them desirable wish.
5.Defend them in their Spiritual battles.
6.Help at the moment of death.
7.My son will be their eternal consolation and joy.
• Mercy Chibueze
‘Two of the sorrows are flight into Egypt and crucifixion of Jesus’
Our Blessed Mother’s entire life was martyrdom for, according to Simeon’s prophecy, she was enlightened with regard to the intense sufferings of her Divine Son: According to Luke “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.”
1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34- 35)
2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13- 21)
3. The Loss of Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2:41-50)
4. The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17)
5. The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:18- 30)
6. Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (John 19:39-40)
7. Jesus Laid in the Tomb (John 19:39-42)
• Okononfua Bryan
‘They will be enlightened about the Divine Mysteries; I will console them in their pains’
The sorrows of Mother of sorrows are :
1. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34- 35).
2. The flight into A Egypt (Matthew 2:13- 21).
3. The loss of Jesus for Three days (Luke 2:41-50).
4. The carrying of the cross (John 19:17).
5. The crucifixion of Jesus (19:18-30).
6. Jesus is taken down from the cross (John 19:39-40).
7. Jesus is laid in the tomb (John 19:39- 42).
Promises of Our Mother of Sorrow:
1. I will grant peace to their families.
2. They will be enlightened about the Divine Mysteries.
3. I will console them in their pains.
4. I will give them as much as they ask for.
5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles.
6. I will visibly help them at the moment of death.
7. Those who propagate this devotion will be taken from earthly life to eternal happiness.
• Onukwuba Isiomachukwu
‘The loss of the Child Jesus; as little as He was then, He astounded and astonished everyone at the temple’
The Seven Sorrows of our mother Mary gives us the privilege not only to pray along with our mother Mary but also invite her to pray with us in our own sorrows in this life. First sorrow: The prophecy of Simeon and Anna,Luke 2:25-35. Where Mary was told of what she will go through as the mother of our Lord and Saviour. Second sorrow: The Flight into Egypt, Matthew 2:13-15. In order to safe guard our Lord from the hands of King Herold and fulfill the prophecy, Joseph and Mary had to flee to Egypt . Third Sorrow: The loss of the Child Jesus, Luke 2:41-50. Mary and Joseph had no idea that Jesus had started the work that his Father in heaven had given Him. So as little as He was then, He astounded and astonished everyone at the temple. Fourth Sorrow: The Condemnation of Jesus, Luke 23:27-31, John19:17. Mary the mother of our lord Jesus met her son on His way to Calvary after being condemned by His own people. Fifth Sorrow: The crucifixion and death of Jesus, John 19:25-30. Here Jesus was crucified in the presence of His mother and His loved disciple. Sixth Sorrow: The retrieval of Jesus’ body found according to Psalm 130, Luke 23:50- 54 and John 19:31-38. Jesus’ body was taken down and bound in burial cloths along with spices. Seventh Sorrow :The burial of Jesus, Isaiah 53:8, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42 and Mark 15:40-48. Jesus was buried in a garden that had a tomb in which no one had been laid before. Mother of Sorrows, Queen of peace, pray for us.
• Victoria Okefe
‘Blessed Virgin Mary promised to grant peace to every family that watches their children suffer’
The Seven Sorrows and Promises of Mother Mary are:
1. The Child is chosen for the fall and resurrection of many: Him and His mother are to suffer in the task (Luke 2: 34 – 35). Blessed Virgin Mary promised to grant peace to every family that watches their children suffer and wonder about their future.
2. The flight to Egypt (Matthew 2: 41- 50): Joseph took Mary and Baby Jesus and left to Egypt for fear of being killed by king Herod. They will be enlightened by the Divine Mysteries.
3. The Loss of Jesus for three days (Luke 2: 42 -50): When Jesus was twelve years old, after the passover feast, he stayed back in the temple for three days. I will console them in their pains and accompany them in their works.
4. The carrying of the cross (John 19: 17): Jesus went out carrying His cross to a place of skull called “Golgotha” in the Hebrew. She promised to defend us in our Spiritual battles and protect us at every instant of our lives.
5. The crucifixion of Jesus (John 19: 18- 30): Jesus was nailed to the cross for the redemption of mankind. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with their infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
6. Jesus taken down from the cross (John 19: 39 – 40): Jesus was taken down from the cross by Joseph of Arimathea and placed in the hand of His mother. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death. They will see the face of their mother.
7. Jesus laid in the tomb (John 19:39 – 40 ): I have obtained this grace from my divine son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolor will be taken directly to heaven and all their sins forgiven.
• Chibuike Anyasor
