St. Vincent's Manual/The Seven Principal Dolors of the Blessed Virgin
THE SEVEN PRINCIPAL DOLORS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN.
Our blessed Saviour, as is related in the book of the Revelations with which St. Bridget was favored, promised his holy Mother, that whoever should piously commemorate and affectionately compassionate her dolors, and invoke her assistance through the merits thereof, should not quit the world without a true compunction for his sins; that in afflictions, particularly at the hour of death, they should find aid and relief; moreover, that on the motive of her dolors, no favor should be refused to her intercession, if the same were for the real advantage of her clients.
I.
HOLY SIMEON'S PROPHECY.
MOST afflicted Mother of God! suffer thy servant to remind thee of that grief which penetrated thy sacred heart, when holy Simeon foretold that a sword should pierce thy very soul, prophetically denouncing the excess of torments thou shouldst undergo in the passion and sufferings of thy most beloved Son. I bear a sensible part in thy affliction, most tender and distressed Mother! obtain for me, from thy divine Son, through the merits of this thy anguish, a meek and pure heart, and a happy departure from this life, under thy maternal care and powerful protection. Amen. Hail Mary.
II.
HEROD PERSECUTES THE CHILD JESUS.
MOST afflicted Mother of God! suffer thy servant to remind thee of that grief which pierced thy sacred heart, when thou wast forced to take thy Son and fly into Egypt, among strangers and idolaters, to avoid the cruel pursuit of the tyrant Herod who sought his life. I bear a sensible part in thy affliction, most tender and distressed Mother! obtain for me, from thy divine Son, through the merits of this thy anguish, a meek and pure heart, and a happy departure from this life, under thy maternal care and protection. Amen. Hail Mary.
III.
JESUS IS LOST AT THE AGE OF TWELVE YEARS.
MOST afflicted Mother of God! suffer thy servant to remind thee of that grief which pierced thy sacred heart, when thy Son Jesus, the only object of thy affection, at the age of twelve years, was lost on thy journey to Jerusalem. I bear a sensible part in thy affliction, most tender and distressed Mother! obtain for me, from thy divine Son, through the merits of this thy anguish, a meek and pure heart, and a happy departure from this life, under thy maternal care and powerful protection. Amen. Hail Mary.
IV.
JESUS CARRIES HIS CROSS.
MOST afflicted Mother of God! suffer thy servant to remind thee of that grief which pierced thy sacred heart, when the sorrowful tidings were brought thee, that thy Son was seized, bound, and inhumanly treated; but above all, when with thy own eyes thou beheldest him walking to the place of execution, covered with his blood, and fainting under the weight of a heavy cross. I bear a sensible part in thy affliction, most tender and distressed Mother! obtain for me, from thy divine Son, through the merits of this thy anguish, a meek and pure heart, and a happy departure from this life, under thy maternal care and powerful protection. Amen. Hail Mary.
V.
JESUS IS CRUCIFIED ON MOUNT CALVARY.
MOST afflicted Mother of God! suffer thy servant to remind thee of that grief which pierced thy sacred soul, when with abundant tears, and inexpressible anguish of heart, thou beheldest him crucified on Mount Calvary, and heardest him pronounce his seven last words; but especially, when bowing down his head, he rendered his blessed soul into the hands of his eternal Father. I bear a sensible part in thy affliction, most tender and distressed Mother! obtain for me, from thy divine Son, through the merits of this thy anguish, a meek and pure heart, and a happy departure from this life, under thy maternal care and powerful protection. Amen. Hail Mary.
VI.
JESUS IS TAKEN FROM THE CROSS.
MOST afflicted Mother of God! suffer thy servant to remind thee of that grief which pierced thy sacred heart, when Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea took down the sacred remains of thy divine Son from the Cross, and placed them in thy arms. O afflicted mother! what then was the anguish of thy heart on beholding the sacred body of thy Son? when thou beheldest this sacred body exhausted of all its hands and feet by the nails which fixed him to the Cross, and in his side by the cruel lance which even pierced his sacred heart. I bear a sensible part in thy affliction, most tender and distressed Mother! obtain for me, from thy divine Son, through the merits of this thy anguish, a meek and pure heart, and a happy departure from this life, under thy maternal care and powerful protection. Amen. Hail Mary.
VII.
JESUS IS BURIED.
MOST afflicted Mother of God! suffer thy servant to remind thee of that grief which pierced thy sacred heart, when in thy presence the sacred body of thy dearest Son, being embalmed with precious ointments, and wrapped in a clean white sheet, was laid in the sepulchre. I bear a sensible part in thy affliction, most tender and distressed Mother! obtain for me, from thy divine Son, through the merits of this thy anguish, a meek and pure heart, and a happy departure from this life, under thy maternal care and powerful protection. Amen. Hail Mary.