HOLY ROSARY OF TODAY: The 7 Sorrows of the VIRGIN MARY (Wednesday, November 19)

The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary is a Catholic devotion that invites the faithful to meditate on the seven principal moments of suffering experienced by the Virgin Mary throughout her life. This rosary aims to foster piety and spiritual union with the Mother of God, recalling her courage and sorrow at key moments in the life of her son, Jesus Christ. Each "sorrow" is associated with a mystery of Mary's life, and during the recitation of the rosary, the faithful meditate on each of these moments of suffering. The seven sorrows are as follows: The Prophecy of Simeon: When the elderly Simeon, in the Temple, prophesies that a sword will pierce Mary's soul (Luke 2:25-35). The Flight into Egypt: Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt to save the life of the infant Jesus, escaping the threat of King Herod (Matthew 2:13-15). The loss of the infant Jesus in the Temple: Mary and Joseph search for Jesus for three days after losing him in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-50). The encounter with Jesus on the way to Calvary: Mary meets Jesus as he carries the cross to the place of his crucifixion (Luke 23:27-31). The crucifixion and death of Jesus: Mary witnesses the crucifixion of her son at Calvary (John 19:25-30). The body of Jesus in Mary's arms: After Jesus' death, his body is placed in his mother's arms (Luke 23:50-54). The burial of Jesus: Mary witnesses the burial of her son in the tomb (Matthew 27:57-61). This rosary is also known as the "Rosary of Sorrows" and has a similar structure to the traditional rosary, but instead of the mysteries of the common rosary, the seven sorrows of the Virgin Mary are prayed. During each of these moments of suffering, the typical prayers of the rosary, such as the "Our Father" and the "Hail Mary," are recited, and one meditates deeply on Mary's sorrow and faith. Devotion to the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows also seeks to console the faithful, helping them to understand and share in the sufferings of Mary, who, as a mother, experienced one of the most painful moments of her life when she saw her son suffer and die.