The Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows invites believers to walk closely with Mary through her deepest moments of grief. Because she endured such profound suffering alongside her Son, countless Catholics turn to her whenever their own hearts feel heavy. This devotion speaks powerfully to anyone carrying quiet sorrow, loss, or fear. Let us explore the history behind this feast, followed by an original nine-day novena we can pray in Mary’s honour.
The Feast Day of the Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows Falls on 15 September
The Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows every year on 15 September. Notably, this date follows directly after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on 14 September. As a result, the Church deliberately pairs Christ’s suffering on the cross with his mother’s own sorrowful witness beside it. Many devotees begin the Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows on 6 September, so the full nine days conclude right at the feast.
A Mother’s Grief Rooted in Scripture
According to Scripture, the elderly Simeon warned Mary early on that a sword would pierce her own soul. This prophecy foreshadowed the immense grief she would later carry throughout her Son’s life and death. Rather than turning away from suffering, Mary remained present through every painful moment, including the crucifixion itself. Her steady faith amid such heartbreak has made her a comforting companion for anyone facing their own trials today.
The Seven Sorrows Behind This Ancient Devotion
Traditionally, the Church recognises seven specific sorrows within Mary’s life. These include Simeon’s prophecy, the flight into Egypt, and the loss of the young Jesus in the temple. They also include her meeting Jesus along the road to Calvary, her presence at the crucifixion, and receiving his body afterwards. Finally, the seventh sorrow recalls Jesus being laid in the tomb. Consequently, this devotion offers a complete meditation on Mary’s lifelong faithfulness through suffering.
A Feast Established by the Servite Order
Members of the Servite Order first promoted devotion to Mary’s sorrows during the thirteenth century. Their efforts gradually spread throughout Europe, eventually earning formal recognition from the Holy See. Pope Pius the Tenth later fixed the feast permanently on 15 September in 1913. Since then, the Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows has remained a cherished devotion for Catholics navigating grief, illness, or uncertainty.
Praying the Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows
Pray this for nine consecutive days, especially while carrying grief, illness, or any burden weighing on your heart. Each day opens with the Sign of the Cross and an invocation of the Holy Spirit, followed by a full prayer for that day.
Day One: A Sword Foretold
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be renewed, and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Our Lady of Sorrows, Simeon warned you early that grief would one day pierce your heart. Help me accept that suffering often arrives long before I feel ready for it. Teach me to carry my own burdens with the same quiet courage you once showed. Mary, walk with me today through whatever sorrow I am currently facing. Amen.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day Two: Fleeing Into the Unknown
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be renewed, and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Our Lady of Sorrows, you fled into a foreign land to protect your infant Son from danger. Help me trust God even when my own path feels uncertain or frightening. Teach me that faithfulness sometimes means moving forward without knowing what lies ahead. Mary, steady my heart today amid whatever uncertainty surrounds me. Amen.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day Three: Three Days of Searching
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be renewed, and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Our Lady of Sorrows, you searched anxiously for three days after losing the young Jesus in the temple. Help me remain patient whenever I feel distant from God’s presence in my life. Teach me that seasons of searching often precede moments of deeper understanding. Mary, guide me gently back whenever I feel lost or far from grace. Amen.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day Four: Meeting Jesus on the Road
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be renewed, and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Our Lady of Sorrows, you met your Son along the painful road to Calvary, unable to ease his burden. Help me stay present for others even when I cannot fix their suffering. Teach me that quiet companionship often matters more than solutions. Mary, help me offer this same steady presence to someone today. Amen.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day Five: Standing at the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be renewed, and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Our Lady of Sorrows, you stood firmly beneath the cross rather than fleeing from unbearable grief. Help me find courage to remain faithful during my own darkest moments. Teach me that steadfast love often means simply staying present through pain. Mary, strengthen my resolve today wherever I feel tempted to walk away. Amen.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day Six: Receiving His Body
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be renewed, and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Our Lady of Sorrows, you received your Son’s lifeless body into your own arms after the crucifixion. Help me trust that even devastating loss remains held within God’s greater plan. Teach me that grief, however heavy, does not have the final word. Mary, comfort me today with the same quiet strength you once carried. Amen.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day Seven: Placed in the Tomb
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be renewed, and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Our Lady of Sorrows, you watched as your Son’s body was placed within the tomb, ending that dreadful day. Help me hold on to hope even when circumstances feel entirely finished or hopeless. Teach me that resurrection often follows seasons that appear utterly final. Mary, plant hope firmly in my heart today. Amen.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day Eight: Comfort for the Grieving
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be renewed, and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Our Lady of Sorrows, your own suffering now allows you to comfort every grieving heart that turns to you. Today, I bring before you anyone I know who currently carries deep sorrow. (Pause here and name your intention.) Please draw near to them exactly as you once drew near to your Son. Mary, comfort every hurting heart, including my own. Amen.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day Nine: Gratitude for a Mother’s Faithfulness
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be renewed, and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Our Lady of Sorrows, your unwavering faithfulness through every sorrow continues to guide believers today. Your life reminds me that love remains steady even when circumstances feel unbearable. As I close this novena, thank you for walking with me these nine days, and for whatever grace you have already obtained for me. Mary, mother of sorrows, continue to pray for me long after this novena ends. Amen.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Continue Your Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows
Readers exploring other beloved intercessors may also appreciate our Novena to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, widely prayed by those awaiting hopeful news. You can also browse our full Novena Prayers directory to find a prayer suited to any need.
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