How to Pray the Seven Sorrows Chaplet

The Seven Sorrows Chaplet is a beautiful way to pray with Mary through some of the most painful moments of her life. It isn’t about dwelling in sadness. It is about staying close to Jesus, even when life is hard, uncertain, or painful.

The chaplet is made up of seven groups of seven beads, each representing one of the Seven Sorrows of Mary. You can pray the entire chaplet at once, or begin with just one sorrow when that is all you have time or energy for.

Before you Begin

Take a quiet moment and bring to God whatever is on your heart. You may be carrying a worry of your own, praying for someone you love, or simply asking for the grace to stay close to Jesus as Mary did.

How to Pray the Chaplet

Begin

Make the Sign of the Cross.

Pray the Introductory Prayer:

My God, I offer You this Rosary for Your glory, so I can honor your Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin, so I can share and meditate upon her suffering. I humbly beg you to give me true repentance for all my sins. Give me wisdom and humility, so that I may receive all the indulgences contained in this prayer.

Pray an Act of Contrition.

Pray 3 Hail Marys.

Pray Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus. 

Sequence for Each of the 7 Sorrows: Announce the Sorrow and read the Scripture. Reflect on the meditation suggestion. Pray 1 Our Father, 7 Hail Marys, and the Optional Prayer.

The First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon

Luke 2:34–35

Simeon tells Mary that her Son will face opposition and that a sword will pierce her own soul.

[Meditation suggestion: Mary does not yet know everything that lies ahead. She simply receives what is given to her and continues to trust God.]

• • Pray 1 Our Father
  • Pray 7 Hail Marys
  • Pray Most Merciful Mother, remind us always of the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.

The Second Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt

Matthew 2:13–15

Mary and Joseph leave home quickly to protect Jesus from danger. There is fear, disruption, and uncertainty, yet they keep moving forward one step at a time.

[Meditation suggestion: As you pray, remember anyone facing change, displacement, fear, or an unknown future.]

• • Pray 1 Our Father
  • Pray 7 Hail Marys
  • Optional Prayer: "Most Merciful Mother, remind us always of the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus."

The Third Sorrow: The Loss of Jesus in the Temple

Luke 2:41–50

Mary and Joseph search for Jesus for three days before finding Him in the Temple. Anyone who has worried about someone they love can understand something of this sorrow.

[Meditation suggestion: Bring to prayer the people you worry about, especially those whose path you cannot control.]

• • Pray 1 Our Father
  • Pray 7 Hail Marys
  • Pray Most Merciful Mother, remind us always of the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.

The Fourth Sorrow: Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary

Luke 23:27–31

Mary sees Jesus carrying His Cross toward Calvary. She cannot take the Cross away from Him; she can only remain near.

[Meditation suggestion: Think of someone you love who is carrying something difficult. Ask for the grace to be present without needing to have all the answers.]

• • Pray 1 Our Father
  • Pray 7 Hail Marys

  • Pray Most Merciful Mother, remind us always of the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.

The Fifth Sorrow: Mary Stands at the Foot of the Cross

John 19:25–30

Mary stands near the Cross as Jesus suffers and dies. She remains with Him.

[Meditation suggestion: As you pray, bring to God whatever is weighing on your heart today. Ask Mary to help you stay close to Jesus, especially when prayer feels difficult.]

• • Pray 1 Our Father
  • Pray 7 Hail Marys
  • Pray Most Merciful Mother, remind us always of the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.

The Sixth Sorrow: Mary Receives the Body of Jesus

John 19:31–37

Mary receives the body of Jesus after His death on the Cross. This is a sorrow without easy words.

[Meditation suggestion: You may want to pray this sorrow for someone who is grieving, for someone whose heart has been broken, or for a loss you still carry yourself.]

• • Pray 1 Our Father
  • Pray 7 Hail Marys
  • Pray Most Merciful Mother, remind us always of the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.

The Seventh Sorrow: The Burial of Jesus

John 19:38–42

Jesus is placed in the tomb. For Mary and the disciples, this must have felt like an ending.

[Meditation suggestion: We know that Easter is coming. They did not yet see it. As you pray, bring to God the places in your life where you are still waiting, hoping, or trusting without knowing what comes next.]

• • Pray 1 Our Father
  • Pray 7 Hail Marys
  • Pray Most Merciful Mother, remind us always of the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.

Closing the Chaplet

Pray Queen of Martyrs, your heart suffered so much. I beg you, by the merits of the tears you shed in these terrible and sorrowful times, to obtain for me and all the sinners of the world the grace of complete sincerity and repentance. Amen.

(Pray 3x) Mary, who was conceived without sin and who suffered for us, pray for us. 

End with the Sign of the Cross.

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About this devotion: The Seven Sorrows Chaplet, also known as the Seven Dolors Chaplet or Servite Rosary, is a traditional Catholic devotion dating back to the 13th century with the Servite Order. Promoted through centuries of Catholic tradition, the devotion incorporates meditation on seven distinct sorrows of Our Lady, supported by Our Fathers and Hail Marys, offering a quiet path to draw closer to the Passion of Christ through the eyes of His Blessed Mother.