How to Pray the Seven Dolours of the Blessed Virgin Mary

From EWTN

THE SEVEN DOLOURS (SORROWS) OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

According to a form approved by Pope Pius VII (1815)

V.  O God, come to my assistance;      
R.  O Lord, make haste to help me

V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.           
R.  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

   (The Hail Mary is said after each verse.)

1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)

I grieve for you, O Mary, most sorrowful, in the affliction of your tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon. Dear Mother, by your heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the holy fear of God.

     Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. 
     Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of of thy womb, Jesus. 
     Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-21)

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the anguish of your most affectionate heart during the flight into Egypt and your sojourn there. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of generosity, especially toward the poor, and the gift of piety.

     Hail Mary….

3. The Loss of Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2:41-50)

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in those anxieties which tried your troubled heart at the loss of your dear Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart so full of anguish, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge.

     Hail Mary….

4. The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17)

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the consternation of your heart at meeting Jesus as He carried His cross. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude.

     Hail Mary….

5. The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:18-30)

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the martyrdom which your generous heart endured in standing near Jesus in His agony. Dear Mother, by your afflicted heart, obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel.

     Hail Mary….

6. Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (John 19:39-40)

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the wounding of your compassionate heart, when the side of Jesus was struck by the lance before His Body was removed from the cross. Dear Mother, by your heart thus transfixed, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding.

     Hail Mary….

7. Jesus Laid in the Tomb (John 19:39-42)

I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, for the pangs that wrenched your most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart sunk in the bitterness of desolation, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom.

     Hail Mary….

Let Us Pray:   Let intercession be made for us, we beseech You, O Lord Jesus Christ, now and at the Hour of our death, before the throne of Your mercy, by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, whose most holy soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the hour of Your bitter Passion. Through You, O Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns world without end. Amen.