I have been a lover of the 7 Sorrows Devotion given to St. Bridget ever since I learned about it last summer. This particular devotion has always been very tough for me as a father who has lost a child to Heaven but it has brought me so close to Our Lady. I love this devotion and can relate in so many ways with some of the sorrows Mary endured. I will never forget the first time I prayed it. When I got to the 5th, 6th and 7th sorrow I completely broke down in remembering my beautiful daughter. I felt a connection to Our Lady like never before and truly believe it was this devotion in my coming back that changed a once cynical and prideful man when it came to Mary to her most humble servant if she will have me. For those who may not know about this devotion (which I doubt there will be many on this wonderful site dedicated to the Mother of God) here is a quick summary: The Blessed Virgin Mary grants seven graces to the souls who honor her daily by saying seven Hail Mary's and meditating on her tears and dolors (sorrows). The devotion was passed on by St. Bridget. HERE ARE THE SEVEN GRACES: I will grant peace to their families. They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries. I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their Mother. I have obtained from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy. SEVEN SORROWS The prophecy of Simeon. (St. Luke 2: 34, 35) The flight into Egypt. (St. Matthew 2:13-14) The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple. (St. Luke 3: 43-45) The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross. The Crucifixion. The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross. The burial of Jesus. One is to meditate on each of her sorrows and say one Hail Mary after each sorrow. So last week I was driving home from work thinking about the 7 Sorrows again and in my head I just kept singing the song Were You There When They Crucified My Lord. As I was thinking of those images in the song and then picturing Our Lady during the crucifiction, all of a sudden in my head the words of the song changed for me and were replaced with the 7 Sorrows Devotion to Mary. Since then I have been singing this song a lot and I just wanted to share it all with you. Maybe it will help you come closer to Our Mother too or at least help you to recall her sorrows. In return remember to give her your sorrows so she can mend you. She is way better to deal with your sorrows than you are if we are willing to humble ourselves to her heart. She is the Queen of Sorrows after all!
Were you there when the sword had pierced Her heart? Were you there when the sword had pierced Her heart? Ohhh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when the sword had pierced Her heart? Were you there when She fled into Egypt? Were you there when She fled into Egypt? Ohhh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when She fled into Egypt? Were you there when She lost Him for three days? Were you there when She lost Him for three days? Ohhh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when She lost Him for three days? Were you there when She met Him on His way? Were you there when She met Him on His way? Ohhh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when She met Him on His way? Were you there when She saw Him on the cross? Were you there when She saw Him on the cross? Ohhh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when She saw Him on the cross? Were you there when She held Him one last time? Where you there when She held Him one last time? Ohhh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when She held Him one last time? Were you there when She placed Him in the tomb? Were you there when She placed Him in the tomb? Ohhh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when she placed Him in the tomb?
I have to tell you that I am a big fan of this devotion in particular. After reading some of Blessed Catherine Emmerich's account of the Holy Family and Jesus life it makes is so much easier to focus on this devotion. I also have to tell you that one of the promises of this devotion is healing and peace to the family. When I started this devotion back a few month's ago I was not even praying for a healing in this area but that's exactly what I got. It's amazing how God gives you what you need and not what you want sometimes. God is so good! God Bless!
