Manual of Devotions in Honour of The Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Father Sebastian
OBLIGATIONS AND PRACTICES OF PIETY
The faithful who wear the Scapular of our Blessed Lady, are not bound by any particular obligation in order to gain the Indulgences attached. The visit to some Church of the Order, one of the conditions requisite for certain Indulgences, may be commuted by a confessor for any other pious work, when there is any infirmity or hindrance of a grave nature, which prevents such a visit being made; such for instance would be the too great distance from the church, and in such a case it would be well to ask the confessor to appoint in its place some other sanctuary, as for instance a parish church.
This faculty of commutation was granted by a brief of Clement XIII, on the 17th August, 1762. If there be any Confraternity of the Seven Dolours established in the place, they ought to endeavour to fulfil their obligations, the principal of which are to assist at the public exercises of the Confraternity ; to say daily seven Paters and Aves in memory of the Dolours of the Mother of God, and to repeat the same prayers at the death of any member of the association, for the repose of his soul. Lastly, the frequent recital of the Rosary is recommended.
INDULGENCES ATTACHED TO THE SCAPULAR OF THE DOLOURS
Plenary Indulgences
I. On the day on which the Scapular is received.
II. At the hour of death, by invok- ing by tongue or in heart the Holy Name of Jesus.
III. The day on which a member makes an hour’s spiritual exercise in honour of the Dolours.
IV. By assisting at the monthly procession, or by fulfilling what is ap- pointed by the confessor in place of said procession.
V. Once in the month for those who repeat daily three Paters in memory of our Saviour’s Passion, and three Aves in commemoration of the Dolours, for those that are in their last agony.
VI. Once in the month also for those who say every day seven Hail Marys and the verse:- “Holy Mary, pierce me through, In my heart each wound renew, Of my Saviour crucified.”
VII. During the Forty Hours Devotion.
VIII. Passion Sunday.
IX. Feast of the Seven Dolours.
X. The Saturday following the Commemoration of the Seven Dolours.
XI. The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
XII. The Assumption of our Blessed Lady.
PARTIAL INDULGENCES
I. Seven years and seven quarantines on the Feast of Christmas, the Annunciation, the Purification, the Assumption, and all Fridays throughout the year, by reciting five Our Fathers and five Hail Marys in memory of the Passion.
II. Five years and as many quarantines, when members accompany the Blessed Sacrament to the sick.
III. Three hundred days once a day for those who say seven Hail Marys, followed by the verse Holy Mother, &c.
IV. One hundred and fifty days every time they meditate on the Passion or on the Dolours, and say seven Our Fathers and seven Hail Marys with the “Stabat Mater,” or perform the spiritual exercises practised in the Churches of the Servites.
V. One hundred days for those who recite the “Stabat Mater.”
VI. Sixty days for each work of Charity.
