Contemplating the Seven Sorrows of Mary: A Chaplet with St. Alphonsus Liguori

The Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows is a special devotion that adds to our understanding and love for our Blessed Mother. In praying this chaplet, we bring consolation to the heart of Our Lady and at once open our hearts to share in the salvific mission of bringing souls closer to the heart of Christ. Intercessory prayer is that powerful. God does not need our prayers to act. Still, He chooses to use our prayers to act. We don’t change God’s mind when we pray, but bring to fruition what is in the mind and heart of God. And we can be assured, holiness is in the mind and heart of God for every soul! Over the past two centuries, in Private Revelation, Mary has repeatedly expressed her sorrow at the sin in the world and how our sin wounds her heart and that of her Son, our Lord. We need to start taking stock of our sins and be ever-present about how we can save souls for Jesus Christ. The Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary is a tool in God’s battle plan to do just that!

The Seven Sorrows Chaplet is not a replacement for praying the rosary, but rather a specific devotion directed to better understanding Mary's sorrowful journey and, in turn, the call to ponder what each suffering teaches us about our relationship with God. The more time we spend with Mary, the more insight we receive about our griefs and sorrows. Praying the Seven Sorrows of Mary Chaplet is to enter the classroom of Mary and learn how to make sense of what is often interpreted as senseless.