DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS

SEPTEMBER IS THE MONTH DEDICATED TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS ? ? ?

She No Longer Cries For her Son crucified. But she’s now tearing up for you, for me, and the sins of the whole Humanity including the lay religious and the clergy and the whole Universal Church.

Our Lady of Sorrows Feast is celebrated on the 15th of September. “Let us bind ourselves tightly to the Sorrowful Heart of our Heavenly Mother and reflect on its boundless grief and how precious is our soul”.

Why is September the month of Our Lady of Sorrows? ? ⚔

Originally this feast was more concerned with Mary’s sufferings throughout her early life, excluding the Passion of Jesus, her Son, but over time it has come to represent all of Mary’s suffering, including the Passion of our Lord, celebrated through the Exaltation of the Cross.

On account of these two central feasts, September has become known as a month dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.

THE WHOLE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER CELEBRATES MARIAN FEASTS:

A major feast celebrated is the day our Lady was born:

♡ September 8: The  Birthday/Nativity of our Blessed Mother.

♥ ” The day of the Nativity of the Mother of God is a day of universal joy, because through the Mother of God, the entire human race was renewed, and the sorrow of the first mother, Eve, was transformed into joy.”

-St. John Damascene

The month also celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross on 14 September, and the Feast of our Lady of Sorrows on 15 September.

INTERNATIONAL MARIAN FEAST DAYS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 

1 – Collection of all the Feasts of Our Lady, celebrated at Louvain.

2 – Our Lady of Helbron (Germany).

3 – Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd (France).

4 – Our Lady of Haut, Restores Life to Young Woman (Belgium).

5 – Our Lady of the Woods (Galloro).

6 – Our Lady of the Fountain (Valenciennes, France).

8 – Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

8 – Our Lady of Charity.

9 – Our Lady of Le Puy (France).

10 – Our Lady of Trut, the Shrine near Cologne, Germany.

11 – Our Lady of Penafrancia Naga city, Philippines

11 – Our Lady of Hildesheim (Germany).

12 – Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

12 – Mother Of Divine Love.

13 – Our Lady of Zell [Mariazell], (Austria).

13 – Our Lady of Guadalupa (Spain).

13 – Fifth Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima.

14 – Our Lady of Einsiedeln (Switzerland).

15 – Our Lady of Sorrows.

16- Our Lady of Good News (Sicily).

17 – Our Lady of the Candles.

18 – Our Lady of Smelcem, Flanders.

19 – Our Lady of La Salette (France).

20 – Our Lady of the Silver Foot, at Toul in Lorraine (France).

21 – Our Lady of Pucha, Valentia.

22 – The Giving of the Name of Mary to Our Lady by St. Ann, Her mother.

22 – Queen of Peace of Hrasno in 1977. (Not Medjugorje.)

23 – Our Lady of Valvenere (Spain).

24 – Our Lady of Ransom (Spain).

24 – Our Lady of Mercy.

24 – Our Lady of Walsingham.

25 – Madonna, Divine Shepherdess (Spain).

26 – Our Lady of Victory at Tourney.

27 – Our Lady of Happy Assemby (Le Laus, France).

28 – Our Lady of Cambron (France).

29 – Our Lady of Tongres (France).

30 – Our Lady of Beaumont (Lorraine, France).

As we begin the month of September, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, let us reflect on the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady.

The First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon.

The Second Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt.

The Third Sorrow: The Loss of the Child Jesus for Three Days.

The Fourth Sorrow: Mary Meets Jesus on His Way to the Cross.

The Fifth Sorrow: Mary Standing at the Foot of the Cross.

The Sixth Sorrow: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross.

The Seventh Sorrow: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb.

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 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

Devotion to the sorrows of the Virgin Mary dates from the twelfth century, when it made its appearance in monastic circles under the influence of St. Anselm and St. Bernard. The Cistercians and then the Servites undertook to propagate it.

It became widespread in the fourteenth and especially the fifteenth centuries, particularly in the Rhineland and Flanders, where Confraternities of the Sorrowful Mother sprang up.

It was in this context that the first liturgical formularies in her honor were composed. A provincial council of Mainz in 1423 made use of these in establishing a “Feast of the Sorrows of Mary” in reparation for Hussite profanations of her images.

In 1494 the feast appeared in Bruges, where the Precious Blood of Christ was venerated; later on it made its way into France. It did not, however, become widespread in France before Benedict XIII included it in the Roman Calendar in 1727 and assigned it to the Friday before Palm Sunday. (source: Catholic Culture)

THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER IS DEDICATED TO MOTHER MARY

The month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, whose memorial the Church celebrates on September 15. September falls during the liturgical season known as Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical color green.

This symbol of hope is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time.

The devotees invoke Mother Mary through the recitations of the Rosary and the litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary everyday and especially during the month of September and in the Marian Months.

“Always stay close to this Heavenly Mother, because she is the sea to be crossed to reach the shores of Eternal Splendour.”–Saint Padre Pio, 1887-1968 AD.

Mother of Jesus Christ, Pray for us.

Some Churches had previously celebrated the feast of Our Mother of Sorrows during the Easter season. Others, however, celebrated the Joys of the Blessed Virgin during the Easter season, as is still done today at Braga. In some places it was entitled “Recollection of the Feasts and Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

(Excerpted from The Church at Prayer, Vol. IV A.G. Martimort.)

The tradition dates back as far as the 17th century, when the Servites established a special feast in September.

Over the centuries there grew a custom of devoting certain months of the year to specific spiritual themes. September became known as the month of “Our Lady of Sorrows.

The Saint Andrew Daily Missal explains, “Originally this feast celebrated the finding of the Holy Cross by St. Helena and the consecration, on September 14, 335, of the basilicas built by Constantine on the sites of the Holy Sepulchre and Calvary at Jerusalem.”

This brought into September a particular meditation on the cross of Jesus Christ, and by the 17th century there developed a complementary Marian feast on September 15.

In the 17th century the Servites celebrated a solemn feast of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady, which in 1817 was extended to the whole Church by Pius VII as a memorial of his sufferings in exile and captivity and of his deliverance through the Blessed Virgin’s intercession.

Furthermore, “Pope St Pius X transferred this feast from the third Sunday of September to this octave-day of Our Lady’s Nativity (September 8th), in 1912.”

LITANY OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of heaven,

Have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,

Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost,

Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us.

Holy Virgin of virgins,

pray for us.

Mother of the Crucified,

pray for us.

Sorrowful Mother,

pray for us.

Mournful Mother,

pray for us.

Sighing Mother,

pray for us.

Afflicted Mother,

pray for us.

Foresaken Mother,

pray for us.

Desolate Mother,

pray for us.

Mother most sad,

pray for us.

Mother set around with anguish,

pray for us.

Mother overwhelmed by grief,

pray for us.

Mother transfixed by a sword,

pray for us.

Mother crucified in thy heart,

pray for us.

Mother bereaved of thy Son,

pray for us.

Sighing Dove,

pray for us.

Mother of Dolors,

pray for us.

Fount of tears,

pray for us.

Sea of bitterness,

pray for us.

Field of tribulation,

pray for us.

Mass of suffering,

pray for us.

Mirror of patience,

pray for us.

Rock of constancy,

pray for us.

Remedy in perplexity,

pray for us.

Joy of the afflicted,

pray for us.

Ark of the desolate,

pray for us.

Refuge of the abandoned,

pray for us.

Shield of the oppressed,

pray for us.

Conqueror of the incredulous,

pray for us.

Solace of the wretched,

pray for us.

Medicine of the sick,

pray for us.

Help of the faint,

pray for us.

Strength of the weak,

pray for us.

Protectress of those who fight,

pray for us.

Haven of the shipwrecked,

pray for us.

Calmer of tempests,

pray for us.

Companion of the sorrowful,

pray for us.

Retreat of those who groan,

pray for us.

Terror of the treacherous,

pray for us.

Standard-bearer of the Martyrs,

pray for us.

Treasure of the Faithful,

pray for us.

Light of Confessors,

pray for us.

Pearl of Virgins,

pray for us.

Comfort of Widows,

pray for us.

Joy of all Saints,

pray for us.

Queen of thy Servants,

pray for us.

Holy Mary, who alone art unexampled,

pray for us.

Pray for us, most Sorrowful Virgin,

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

O God, in whose Passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon, a sword of grief pierced through the most sweet soul of Thy glorious Blessed Virgin Mother Mary: grant that we, who celebrate the memory of her Seven Sorrows, may obtain the happy effect of Thy Passion, Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS

Most holy virgin and queen of martyrs, Mary, would that I could be in heaven, there to contemplate the honours rendered to thee by the most Holy Trinity and by the whole heavenly court!

But since I am still a pilgrim in this vale of tears, receive from me, thy unworthy servant and a poor sinner, the most sincere homage and the most perfect act of vassalage a human creature can offer thee.

In thy immaculate heart, pierced with so many swords of sorrow, I place today my poor soul forever; receive me as a partaker in thy dolors, and never suffer that I should depart from that cross on which thy only begotten son expired for me.

With thee, O Mary, I will endure all the sufferings, contradictions, infirmities, with which it will please thy divine son to visit me in this life. All of them I offer to thee, in memory of the dolors which thou didst suffer during thy life, that every thought of my mind, every beating of my heart may henceforward be an act of compassion to thy sorrows, and of complacency for the glory thou now enjoy in heaven.

Since then, O dear mother, I now compassionate thy dolors, and rejoice in seeing thee glorified, do thou also have compassion on me, and reconcile me to thy son Jesus, that I may become thy true and loyal son (daughter); come on my last day and assist me in my last agony, even as thou wert present at the agony of thy divine son Jesus, that from this painful exile I may go to heaven, there to be made partaker of thy glory. Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows

Our mother of sorrows, with strength from above you stood by the cross, sharing in the sufferings of Jesus, and with tender care you bore him in your arms, mourning and weeping.

We praise you for your faith, which accepted the life God planned for you. We praise you for your hope, which trusted that God would do great things in you. We praise you for your love in bearing with Jesus the sorrows of his passion.

Holy Mary, may we follow your example, and stand by all your children who need comfort and love.

Mother of God, stand by us in our trials and care for us in our many needs. Pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen!

Blessed Virgin Mary, Our lady of Compassion, I turn to you with filial confidence. You shared fully in the work of our lord Jesus Christ, whose Death brought life to the world. Help me now to understand the truth about the divine compassion. Teach me to accept the sufferings that come into my life as you accepted obediently your own deep sorrows. Loving Mother of the Redeemer, you consecrated yourself by submitting to the divine plan. Obtain for me the grace to make my own submission to the same wise providence, now and at the hour of my death. Amen.

PROMISES OF GOD FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER 1 – PROMISE #244

I spoke the universe into existence.

Genesis 1:1

SEPTEMBER 2 – PROMISE #245

I give life and breath to all things.

Acts 17:24-25

SEPTEMBER 3 – PROMISE #246

You can rest in My love, for I have power to save you.

Zephaniah 3:17

SEPTEMBER 4 – PROMISE #247

My thoughts toward you outnumber the sand on the seashore.

Psalm 139:17-18

SEPTEMBER 5 – PROMISE #248

All the days of your life are written in My special book.

Psalm 139:16

SEPTEMBER 6 – PROMISE #249

I will carry you in My arms just like a father carries his child.

Deuteronomy 1:31

SEPTEMBER 7 – PROMISE #250

I will give you a double portion of your inheritance in exchange for your shame.

Isaiah 61:7

SEPTEMBER 8 – PROMISE #251

I made you alive in Jesus simply because I love you.

Ephesians 2:4-5

SEPTEMBER 9 – PROMISE #252

I will forgive your sins and then forget them.

Hebrews 8:12

SEPTEMBER 10 – PROMISE #253

Your old life has ended and now everything is new in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17

SEPTEMBER 11 – PROMISE #254

Reach out and you will touch Me, for I am not far from you.

Acts 17:27

SEPTEMBER 12 – PROMISE #255

Before you even call out to Me, I will answer you.

Isaiah 65:24

SEPTEMBER 13 – PROMISE #256

I will be the voice behind you, guiding you in the way you should go.

Isaiah 30:21

SEPTEMBER 14 – PROMISE #257

I will train you for battle with My shield of salvation.

Psalm 18:34-35

SEPTEMBER 15 – PROMISE #258

I will be faithful to give you My strength and protection.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

SEPTEMBER 16 – PROMISE #259

You will find safety in My everlasting arms.

Deuteronomy 33:27

SEPTEMBER 17 – PROMISE #260

I carry your burdens every day.

Psalm 68:19

SEPTEMBER 18 – PROMISE #261

I have called you to inherit My blessing.

1 Peter 3:9

SEPTEMBER 19 – PROMISE #262

If you honor Me with your firstfruits, you will overflow with abundance.

Proverbs 3:9-10

SEPTEMBER 20 – PROMISE #263

If you help the poor, your light will shine like the dawn.

Isaiah 58:7-8

SEPTEMBER 21 – PROMISE #264

If you wait for Me, I will renew your strength.

Isaiah 40:31

SEPTEMBER 22 – PROMISE #265

I will give you a peaceful sleep surrounded by safety.

Psalm 4:8

SEPTEMBER 23 – PROMISE #266

I will enrich your life and renew your youth like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103:5

SEPTEMBER 24 – PROMISE #267

I will not reject the sacrifice of a broken spirit and a contrite heart.

Psalm 51:17

SEPTEMBER 25 – PROMISE #268

I will always be close when you need My comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

SEPTEMBER 26 – PROMISE #269

When you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will be with you.

Psalm 23:4

SEPTEMBER 27 – PROMISE #270

I will keep you from falling until you joyfully stand blameless in My presence.

Jude 1:24

SEPTEMBER 28 – PROMISE #271

I will soon crush the evil one under your feet.

Romans 16:20

SEPTEMBER 29 – PROMISE #272

You have an everlasting inheritance reserved in heaven for you.

1 Peter 1:3-4

SEPTEMBER 30 – PROMISE #273

I have the ability to do all that I have promised.

Romans 4:20-21

CHAPLET FOR THE SORROWS THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD ENDURED IN COMPASSION FOR THE SUFFERING AND DEATH OF HER DIVINE SON.

The Seven Sorrows Chaplet (also known as the Seven Dolors Chaplet or the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows) consists of seven Hail Marys for each of the seven Sorrows. One Our Father is said before each group of seven Hail Marys. After the seven Hail Marys of each Sorrow this stanza of the Stabat Mater (At the Cross Her Station Keeping), which also originated in the 13th century (it’s the sequence for Mass on the 15th of September–the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows–each year and the traditional hymn sung during the Stations of the Cross [listen and watch here]) is said:

“Holy Mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior Crucified.” On the three beads, at the end of the chaplet, three Hail Marys are said in honor of the Tears of Our Sorrowful Mother.

WHILE RECITING THE PRAYERS MEDITATE UPON:

THE FIRST SORROW–The Prophecy of Simeon:

The prophecy of holy Simeon who told Our Sorrowful Mother of the bitter passion and death of Jesus. Our Father, Seven Hail Marys, “Holy Mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior Crucified.”

“Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35

THE SECOND SORROW–The Flight into Egypt:

Our Sorrowful Mother is forced to flee into Egypt to save her beloved Son from the death of all the innocent children ordered by Herod. Our Father, Seven Hail Marys, “Holy Mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior Crucified.”

“Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Matthew 2:13-15)

THE THIRD SORROW–The Loss of Jesus in Jerusalem:

Our Sorrowful Mother is separated from Jesus for three long days while He is lost in Jerusalem. Our Father, Seven Hail Marys, “Holy Mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior Crucified.”

“Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple…” (Luke 2: 41-46)

THE FOURTH SORROW–Jesus Meets His Mother:

Our Sorrowful Mother meets Jesus on the road to Calvary and sees Him fall under the cruel weight of the cross. Our Father, Seven Hail Marys, “Holy Mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior Crucified.”

“Carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, In Hebrew, Golgotha” (John 19:17)

THE FIFTH SORROW–Jesus Dies on the Cross:

Our Sorrowful Mother watches Jesus die on the Cross. Our Father, Seven Hail Marys, “Holy Mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior Crucified.”

“Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala…When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.” (John 19:25, 30)

THE SIXTH SORROW–Mary Receives the Body of Jesus:

Our Sorrowful Mother receives the dead body of Jesus in her arms. Our Father, Seven Hail Marys, “Holy Mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior Crucified.”

“..a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph…went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over.” (Matthew 27:57-58)

THE SEVENTH SORROW–The Burial:

Our Sorrowful Mother sees Jesus placed in the sacred tomb. Our Father, Seven Hail Marys, “Holy Mother pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior Crucified.”

“They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, win which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.” (John 19:40-42)

ENDING PRAYERS:

Three Hail Marys prayed in honor of the Tears of our Sorrowful Mother.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be prayed for the intentions of the Pope, the Holy Father.

THE MEMORARE

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother. To you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your clemency, hear and answer me. Amen.

O MARY, VIRGIN MOTHER OF SORROWS, PRAY FOR US ALL!