Seven Sorrows Rosary -
16 Promises of Our Lady of Sorrows

The Virgin Mary : "... I look around at everyone who is in the world to see if there happens to be some who might have compassion on me and be mindful of my sorrow, but I find very few who think about my sorrow and tribulation. This is why, my daughter, although I am forgotten and neglected by many people, you must not forget me! Look at my struggles and imitate them as far as you can!..."

^{Revelations of Saint Bridget of Sweden - Book 2, Ch. 24}

"After his death [a sinner's one], Jesus Christ further revealed to Saint Bridget, that this sinner was saved, and was in purgatory, and that he had been saved by the intercession of the Virgin, his mother; for the deceased, although he had led so sinful a life, yet had always preserved devotion to her dolors, whenever he remembered them he pitied her."

^{The Glories of Mary, Discourse IX - refering to Revelations of St. Bridget - Book 6, Ch.97}

On October 13, 1917, the Virgin Mary appeared, among other forms, as Our Lady of Sorrows during the apparition in Fátima that led to the 'Miracle of the Sun'.

On March 6, 1982, the Virgin Mary appeared to Marie-Claire Mukangango in Kibeho, Rwanda, and taught her the Seven Sorrows Rosary. Mary then told Marie-Claire that she wanted this chaplet to be brought to light again and gave her the mission of spreading it throughout the world. The commission of inquiry found that Marie-Claire did not know this rosary prior to the apparition.

The Meditations -
The Seven Sorrows of Mary

In the same way as for the mysteries of the traditional Rosary, on each medal (or large bead), one announces and meditates on one of the Seven Sorrows experienced by Mary during her life. These sorrows, which are found in the Gospels, are as follows:

1. The Prophecy of Simeon
(Luke 2:22-39)

^{'When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord [...]. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”'}

2. The Flight into Egypt
(Matthew 2:13-21)

^{'Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”'}

3. The Loss of Jesus for Three Days in Jerusalem
(Luke 2:41-51)

^{'When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. [...] When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions [...]. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.'}

4. Mary meets Jesus carrying His Cross on the way to Calvary
(Luke 23:26-31)

^{'But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. [...] As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him.'}

5. Mary stands at the foot of the Cross (John 19:25-27)

^{'Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.'}

6. Mary receives the body of Jesus taken down from the Cross (John 19:38-40)

^{'After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews.'}

7. Mary leaves her Son in the tomb (Luke 23:52-56 & John 19:40-42)

^{'Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.'}