ROSARY OF THE SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY

 

“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Introductory Prayer
My God, I offer You this Rosary for Your Glory, that I may honor Your Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, by following and sharing her suffering. I humbly beg You to give me true repentance for all my sins. Give me wisdom and the grace of true humility, that I may receive all the indulgences contained in this prayer. Amen.

(“I offer this Rosary for _____.”)

Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend You, my God, You Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

In remembrance of the tears that Mary shed because of the suffering of her Divine Son, and to obtain true sorrow for our sins: Hail Mary (3x)

At the cross her station keeping,

Stood the mournful Mother weeping,

Close to Jesus to the last.

 

Through her heart, his sorrow sharing,

All his bitter anguish bearing,

Now at length the sword had passed.

~ * * * ~

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always

of the sorrows of your Divine Son.

First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon
(Luke 2:22-35)

According to the law of Moses, the Blessed Virgin Mary took Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord. Simeon recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah and said: “Now, Master, you may let Your servant go in peace, according to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for Your people Israel.”

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Prayer: Holy Mother Mary, whose heart suffered beyond bearing because of us, help us to suffer with you, and to accept all the suffering God permits to come our way. Imitating you, may our suffering be known to God alone.

To you, Immaculate Mother, who suffered with the Savior of the world, we offer our suffering and the suffering of the world. Join our sorrows to your own and to those of your Son Jesus; and then, offer them to the Eternal Father for the good of souls. You are a mother greater than all. Amen.

Our Father (1x)
Hail Mary (7x)

Virgin Most Sorrowful, Pray for Us!

Oh, how sad and sore distressed

Was that Mother highly blessed

Of the sole begotten One!

 

Christ above in torment hangs,

She beneath beholds the pangs

Of her dying, glorious Son.

~ * * * ~

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always

of the sorrows of your Divine Son.

Second Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt
(Matthew 2:13-15)

The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”

Joseph rose and took the Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt. The holy family stayed in Egypt until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Hosea 11:1)

Prayer: Blessed Mother Mary, who has suffered so much, give us a courageous heart like yours. Help us to accept with love all the suffering God permits to come our way. Help us to accept all the suffering we inflict upon ourselves, and the suffering inflicted upon us by others.

You alone, Immaculate Mother, purify our suffering, that we may give glory to God, and save our souls. Amen.

Our Father (1x)
Hail Mary (7x)

Virgin Most Sorrowful, Pray for Us!

Is there one who would not weep,

‘Whelmed in miseries so deep,

Christ’s dear Mother to behold?

 

Can the human heart refrain

From partaking in her pain,

In that mother’s pain untold?

~ * * * ~

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always

of the sorrows of your Divine Son.

Third Sorrow: The Loss of Jesus in the Temple
(Luke 2:41-52)

At age 12, Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem after the feast of Passover. Thinking that He was in the caravan, His parents journeyed for a day. Not finding Him among their relatives, they returned to Jerusalem.

After three days they found Him in the temple, “sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.” But Mary exclaimed, “Son, why have You done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for You with great anxiety.” Jesus answered, “Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?”

What pained Mary was that Jesus had decided to stay behind without her consent. She felt the same pain Jesus felt when He was abandoned by His disciples (apostles) during His Passion.

Prayer: Holy Mary, Mother of God, help us to accept everything that will come in this life; help us to be able to carry our crosses. Prepare us to be ready every single moment to come before the Face of God. Amen.

Our Father (1x)
Hail Mary (7x)

Virgin Most Sorrowful, Pray for Us!

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,

She beheld her tender Child,

All with bloody scourges rent.

 

For the sins of his own nation

Saw him hang in desolation

Till his spirit forth he sent.

~ * * * ~

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always

of the sorrows of your Divine Son.

Fourth Sorrow: Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
(Luke 23:27-31)

A large crowd followed Jesus, including many women who mourned for Him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ At that time people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?”

The Blessed Virgin witnessed Jesus carrying the cross on which He was to be crucified. But this was no surprise to Mary, for she already knew about the approaching death of her Son. Already weakened by the soldier’s cruel scourging, sharp thorns and numerous hard blows, Jesus’ body resembled a corpse carrying a cross.

Filled with anguish, Mary watched as Jesus fell once more, exhausted, unable to raise Himself. At that moment, Mary’s eyes full of love and compassion met her Son’s eyes, pained and covered in blood. She shared in the pain of His Passion.

Prayer: Beloved Mother, so stricken with grief, help us to accept and bear our own suffering, that we may relieve your sorrowful heart and that of Jesus. In doing so, may we give glory to God Who gave you and Jesus to us. As you suffered, teach us to suffer silently and patiently. Grant unto us the grace of loving God in everything.

Immaculate Mother, Mother of Sorrows, most afflicted of all mothers, have mercy on us sinners, and on the sinners of the whole world. Amen.

Our Father (1x)
Hail Mary (7x)

Virgin Most Sorrowful, Pray for Us!

O sweet Mother! font of love,

Touch my spirit from above,

Make my heart with yours accord.

 

Make me feel as you have felt;

Make my soul to glow and melt

With the love of Christ, my Lord.

~ * * * ~

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always

of the sorrows of your Divine Son.

Fifth Sorrow: Mary Stands at the Foot of the Cross
(John 19:25-27)

Standing at the foot of the Cross of Jesus were His mother, His mother’s sister (Mary), and Mary Magdalene (“out of whom He had driven seven demons”). When Jesus saw His mother and John (“the disciple whom He loved”), He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple John took the Blessed Virgin Mary into his home.

Prayer: Beloved Mother, Immaculate Mother, Queen of Martyrs, give us the courage you had in all your sufferings so that we may unite our sufferings with yours and give glory to God. Help us to follow your example, so that Jesus’ sacrifice will not be in vain, and all sinners, the world over, will be saved. Amen.

Our Father (1x)
Hail Mary (7x)

Virgin Most Sorrowful, Pray for Us!

Holy Mother, pierce me through,

In my heart each wound renew

Of my Savior crucified.

 

Let me share with you his pain,

Who for all our sins was slain,

Who for me in torments died.

~ * * * ~

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always

of the sorrows of your Divine Son.

Sixth Sorrow: Mary Receives the Dead Body of Jesus in Her Arms
(John 19:38-40)

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took His body. Nicodemus also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes. They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom.

Mary knew better than anyone else that Jesus was God Incarnate -- that God had taken a human body to become the Savior of the world. And looking at His broken body, the Holy Mother knew that His agonizing death was far worse than the torture reserved for the wickedest of criminals. Mary prayed for the world. She prayed for all of us, that all would truly follow God, so that Jesus’ torturous death would not be in vain.

Prayer: Beloved Mother, we thank you for your courage as you stood beneath the Cross on which your Son was crucified, giving Himself up for our salvation. That is when you became Our Mother. We implore you to be our advocate before the throne of mercy and grace, so that we can truly become your children. We thank you for Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer, and we thank Jesus for giving you to us.

“Holy Mary, Mother of God (Mediatrix of all graces), pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

Our Father (1x)
Hail Mary (7x)

Virgin Most Sorrowful, Pray for Us!

Let me mingle tears with you,

Mourning him who mourned for me,

All the days that I may live.

 

By the cross with you to stay,

There with you to weep and pray,

Is all I ask of you to give.

~ * * * ~

Most Merciful Mother, remind us always

of the sorrows of your Divine Son.

Seventh Sorrow: Jesus Is Placed in the Tomb
(John 19:41-42)

Now in the place where Jesus had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, they laid Jesus there.

With great pain and tremendous sorrow, the Mother of the Word Incarnate returned home knowing, “It is accomplished!” The earthly life of her Son Jesus -- the work that the Eternal Father had given Him to do -- is accomplished.

Prayer: Most Beloved Mother, Mother of Mercy, Mother of Jesus, and Mother of us all, we are your children and we place our trust in you, as we place our trust in Jesus. Teach us to see God in all things and in all situations, even in our sufferings. Help us to understand the importance of redemptive suffering.

Immaculate Mother, although you were conceived without sin, you suffered more than others. You accepted suffering with love and with unsurpassed courage. You stood by your Son from the time He was arrested until He died. You suffered along with Jesus, accomplished the will of the Eternal Father, and hence became Mediatrix of all graces.

Mother Mary, we beg you to teach us to do as Jesus did. Teach us to accept our cross courageously. Help us to follow in His footsteps, even to be willing to lay down our lives for others. And when our end is upon us, may we also be able to say, “It is accomplished.” Amen.

Our Father (1x)
Hail Mary (7x)

Virgin Most Sorrowful, Pray for Us!

Virgin of all virgins blest!

Listen to my fond request:

Let me share your grief divine.

 

Let me to my latest breath,

In my body bear the death

Of that dying Son of yours.

~ * * * ~

Concluding Prayer
Mother Mary, Queen of Martyrs, your soul was immersed in the ocean of suffering. We beg you by the merits of the tears you shed in these terrible sorrowful mysteries, to obtain for us and all sinners of the world, the graces of complete sincerity, true repentance and conversion. Amen.

To wipe away our Sorrowful Mother’s tears shed because of the suffering of her Divine Son: Our Father (3x) and Hail Mary (3x)

“O Mary, conceived without sin,

pray for us who have recourse to thee.” (3x)

The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, our Mother. To thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

_______________

HOW TO COPE WHEN UNDER A CURSE

By Fr. John H. Hampsch, CMF

One of the most disconcerting types of suffering is that which results from being targeted by another person as the object of an evil curse, (similar to a hex, which is a witchcraft-induced evil spell). A curse or hex may take any of countless manifestations; and, in many cases, the victim may never know who the culprit is who imprecated the curse or hex.

A curse may be cultural (Gypsy, Indian, Italian, etc.); it may be of an Occult or Satanic origin, or simply an act of perverse retaliation as a kind of vendetta -- simply an enmity-engendered hatred from another person. Invoking curses is a frequent practice among those involved in any of the many evil forms of the Occult, such as Santeria, Voodoo, Obeah, etc.

Anyone who invokes a curse is certainly (knowingly or otherwise) under demonic influence. By invoking a curse such a person commits the most heinous sin against the virtue of charity that is possible; it delights Satan, but calls down the vengeance of God upon the one responsible. The most serious type of curse is one that turns a good Christian into an irreligious or anti-religious person. The most difficult type of curse to break is one invoked by a family member or by a living or deceased ancestor.

The following may be regarded as effective Catholic norms for responding, if you are unfortunate enough to be targeted by a curse or hex:

1) Your success in drawing down God’s power against a curse will be in proportion to the level of your faith. In the words of Jesus, “According to your faith it will be done” (Matthew 9:29). It helps to elicit a faith-filled prayer of deliverance from a priest, a mature Christian or a prayer group. Like healing or any prayer-induced miracle, curse-lifting is not a frequent occurrence. Why? Because most people pridefully overestimate their own faith; they are satisfied with their low level of faith that is enough to induce them to pray frantically for relief, but not enough to humbly beg for a deeper degree of faith that would trigger that sought-for relief. Praying for a cure is less important than praying for enough faith to induce that cure. The latter must come first, as Jesus taught when correcting his apostles’ failed attempt at exorcism (Mark 9:19,23).

2) Make frequent and fervent use of the Sacraments -- especially by very humble and contrite confessions, and by receiving Communion with exquisite devotion and love. The Enemy’s power, even when operating through malicious human agents, is vastly reduced when these Sacraments are received, not routinely, but humbly and devoutly.

3) Never reverse a curse by calling down harm on the person or persons responsible for this flood of evil. (See 1 Peter 3:9 and Romans 12:17-21).

4) Stand meditatively and expectantly beneath the cross of Jesus to be covered symbolically by His Precious Blood as a shield to deflect the onslaughts of evil in the afflicting curse. By that “atoning blood” (Romans 3:24) shed on the cross, the forces of evil are disarmed and conquered, as Paul says (Colossians 2:15).

5) Do the four things that Jesus asks us to do in relating to our enemies, like those who invoke curses on us; these are outlined in Luke 6:27-28. The four things are: Love your enemy, do good to your enemy, pray for your enemy and call down God’s special blessings on your enemy (see also 1 Peter 3:9). Love of enemies is a challenge, but loving in this context does not mean liking. It means benevolent love, or “agape” love, as St. Thomas Aquinas says. This love consists in desiring good for one’s enemies. Yearn for their salvation, not their damnation; desire that they repent and become holy. In this endeavor, St. Augustine’s maxim is pertinent: Hate the sin but love the sinner, as God does.

Every Christian must sincerely desire that bad persons become good, like the great terrorist, Saul, who, when converted became St. Paul, a champion of Christianity; or, like the thief, Dismas, when dying next to Jesus, was canonized by him: “This day you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). In the words of Jude 22, “Snatch others from the fire and save them…show mercy.” James 5:20 speaks of the amazing benefits of converting a sinner from his life of sin. If you turn from sin the one cursing you, that enemy will befriend you for all eternity.

6) Until the time arrives for you to be released from the curse, strive to conform to even hidden moves of Providence, with faith-reliance on Jesus as demon-evictor (Mark 16:17). Offer up your sufferings that result from the curse or curses. Like all suffering, disappointment, adversity, etc., this unique type of suffering should be united -- even joyfully -- with Jesus’ redemptive suffering (1 Peter 4:13). Don’t waste suffering that could otherwise lead to your sanctification and consequent reward. Carrying this cross courageously infuriates the Devil and his demons lurking behind this evil. Sustaining the affliction will grace-fill your soul, help other souls, and reward you for all eternity (see Hebrews 6:10-11).

7) For curse-breaking, invoke the angels and saints, your guardian angel and patron saint, Archangel Michael, and the especially the sinless Virgin Mary who is prophesied to crush the head of the sinful serpent (Genesis 3:15).

Of course, you should seek relief from the effects of a curse, as you would for sickness or any hurtful situation. But meanwhile, as you await your release, use your curse-caused suffering; though it is admittedly hurtful, it may well be the very sacrifice used by God to obtain salvation for your persecutors, as well as your own sanctification and your unimaginable heavenly reward.

The bottom line: After our lifelong struggle against evil, the last chapter of the Bible tells how it will all end. With Christ, we are the winners!

_______________

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an “anxiety” disorder characterized by recurring, un-welcomed thoughts or images (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or the urgent need to engage in certain rituals (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors or rituals (such as repetitive hand washing, house cleaning… counting or checking things repeatedly) are performed with the hope of preventing and stopping obsessive thoughts. But these “rituals” provide only temporary relief.

Thoughts come from three places:

the subconscious mind, God, and the Devil.

 

Mental health professionals are able to help OCD patients live relatively productive and fulfilling lives. But they have no cure. Treatment for OCD includes therapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy) and drugs (such as Prozac, Paxil… or Zoloft). _ National Institute of Mental Health

OCD may be a result of changes in the body’s natural chemistry or brain functions. OCD may also have a genetic component.

Although mental health professionals are able to help their patients live “relatively productive and fulfilling lives,” they have no “cure” for OCD -- because they ignore (or reject) the “spiritual” aspect of the disorder.

Many OCD sufferers are in need of “deliverance” and “inner-healing.”

I once viewed a program on OCD that focused on two heartbreaking cases. In both cases, OCD had a “trigger.” And that trigger was “trauma” -- a “traumatic” event in the lives of the people. Trauma provided the opportunity (the open door) for evil spirits to invade (with the intent to destroy).

OCD is devastating, heartbreaking… and hopeless for people living in darkness. OCD is more than mental illness. It is also a spiritual disorder that cannot be cured by therapy and drugs alone. (The condition is exasperated and worsened by evil spirits that attack areas of weakness, vulnerability… and mental illness.) 

TO ADVANCE YOUR INNER HEALING:

 

1) Spend time each day in silent,

meditative prayer

(at home or before the Blessed Sacrament);

 

2) Go to Confession (at least monthly);

 

3) Attend daily Mass (as often as possible);

 

4) Pray the Rosary every day.

 

5) Pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.

http://catholicdeliverance.blogspot.com/2013/09/rosary-of-seven-sorrows-of-mary.html

 SPIRITUAL WARFARE FOR OCD?

 

“I plead the Blood of Jesus on my mind.

I plead the Blood of Jesus 

on every thought in my mind.”

 

Only Jesus can heal the trauma within a person. And when the trauma is healed, OCD -- and the evil spirits behind it -- will disappear. BUT when OCD is the result of changes in the body’s natural chemistry or brain functions, deliverance and inner healing are not enough.

God may choose to heal the brain and the body’s natural chemistry through prayer. But God also uses medication!

Some OCD sufferers are unable to separate themselves from the condition. For these, medication is needed. As the father of an OCD sufferer once said, “Just enough (medication) to take the edge off.”

Another course of action for recovery from OCD -- or any addictive and dysfunctional behavior -- is a Christ-centered “Twelve-Step Program.” 

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