The Seven Sorrows Novena By St Alphonsus Liguori – 15 September – Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Sorrows

The Seven Sorrows Novena
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Day Nine
Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Sorrows

Opening Prayer

V/. O God +, come to my assistance
R/. O Lord, make haste to help me.

Gloria Patri …

Let intercession be made for us,
we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ,
now and at the hour of our death,
before the throne of Thy mercy,
by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother,
whose most holy soul
was pierced by a sword of sorrow
in the hour of Thy bitter Passion.
Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world,
Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost
lives and reigns, world without end.
Amen

Reflection (St Alphonsus de Liguori)

Meditation:
Consider the meeting of the Son and the Mother,
which took place on this journey. Jesus and Mary looked at each other and their looks became as so many arrows to wound those hearts which loved each other so tenderly. My most loving Jesus, by the sorrow Thou didst experience in this meeting, grant me the grace of a truly devoted love for Thy most holy Mother. And thou, my Queen, who wast overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain for me, by thy intercession, a continual and tender remembrance of the Passion of thy Son.

Closing Prayers
V/. Pray for us, O Virgin most sorrowful
R/. That we may be made be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Ave Maria …

Prayer of St Alphonsus:
O afflicted Virgin!
O soul, great in virtues and great also in sorrows!
for both arise from that great fire of love
thou hast for God;
thou “whose heart can love nothing but God”;
O Mother, have pity on me,
for I have not loved God
and I have so much offended Him.
Thy sorrows give me great confidence to hope for pardon.
But this is not enough;
I wish to love my Lord
and who can better obtain this for me than thou,
thou who art the Mother of fair love?
O Mary, thou dost console all, comfort me also.
Amen