As we strive to become a parish of intentional disciples who make time for personal and communal prayer, we will be praying with a special devotion each month. We invite you and your domestic church to pray along with us.

The month of September is dedicated to . September 15th, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is dedicated to the spiritual martyrdom of Mary, the Mother of God,

Mary’s life was full of grace, but there were also many causes for her to feel deep sorrow, and so the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows, with its roots in Scripture, has been part of since the 12th century. The Blessed Mother stood firmly at the cross as her beloved Son suffered and died to bring about our salvation. Since it was our sin that caused ’ suffering, praying with his sorrowful Mother by meditating on the Seven Sorrows or the Sorrowful Mysteries of the can help us to feel contrition for our sins and motivate us to grow in holiness. Mary serves as a model of fearlessness and faithfulness in the midst of suffering, and we can ask her intercession as we face sorrows and struggles of our own or accompany those we love who are facing difficulties.

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 Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, 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. Mother most sorrowful, pray for us. Mother most tearful, pray for us. Mother afflicted, pray for us. Mother forsaken, pray for us. Mother bereft of thy Son, pray for us. Mother pierced with the sword, pray for us. Mother consumed with grief, pray for us. Mother filled with anguish, pray for us. Mirror of patience, pray for us. Rock of constancy, 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. Haven of the shipwrecked, pray for us. Calmer of tempests, pray for us. Companion of the sorrowful, pray for us. Treasure of the Faithful, pray for us. Theme of Prophets, pray for us. Staff of the Apostles, pray for us. Queen of Martyrs, 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.

Pray for us, most Sorrowful Virgin, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world. Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world. Hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world. Have mercy upon us.

Let us pray...Imprint, O Lord, thy wounds upon our hearts, that we may read therein sorrow and love; sorrow to endure all suffering for thee; love to despise all love but thine; who lives and reigns, world without end, Amen.

O God, in whose Passion, according to the of , 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 Sorrows, may obtain the happy effect of Thy Passion, Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen.