The Prophecy of the Temple
The first sorrow of Mary was when Prophet Simeon announced the suffering and sacrifice baby Jesus would face when he was presented at the Temple.
(Luke 2: 25-35)
The Journey to Egypt
The second sorrow was their journey to Egypt. The new born Christ was in danger and they had to migrate to escape Herod’s evil command. Saint Joseph acted quickly in response to the angel’s warning to him in a dream. The Holy Family had to brave the rigors of traveling and face life in another land.
(Matthew 2: 13-15)
The Loss of the Three Days of Child Jesus
It was a tradition to observe the Feast of the Passover in Jerusalem. The Holy Family went there when the child Jesus was twelve years old. When they returned the child was no longer with them. They looked for Him among their relatives. Three days later they found Jesus in the temple conversing with wise men. Here Mary speaks of their sorrow at finding him: “Son, why have you done this to us? look at your father and we have looked for you with great sorrow.”
(Luke 2: 41-50)
The Encounter of Jesus Christ and Mother Mary bearing the Cross
Jesus was condemned and carried the cross to Calvary. He was handed the cross on which he was crucified. Mother Mary, accompanied by other women, faced Christ bearing the heavy cross. The pain was immense witnessing Her innocent Son, judged, tortured and wounded.
(Luke 23:27)
The Crucifixion and death of Jesus on the Cross
From the account of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, At the first stroke of the first nail in the hand of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin fainted. When she regained consciousness, Christ was nailed up to the cross in Calvary. She has to endure intense grief to see her beloved Son Jesus, the Son of God humiliated, crucified and die on the cross.
(John 19: 25-30)
The Descent from the Cross of the lifeless Jesus.
The sixth sorrow was when the body of Jesus was lowered from the cross. From the accounts of Blessed Emmerich: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, together with Cassius (we know in tradition as Longinus) and the other women of calvary, brought down the body of Christ with great care and reverence. The grief and anguish were evident to everyone of them, tears flowed as they gently held Christ’s body with His Dolorous Mother.
(John 19: 31-37)
The Burial of Christ Jesus
The seventh sorrow was when Mother Mary buried her Son with some other devout followers of the Lord. In the vision of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, they sent the Body of Christ to the Sepulchre in a procession. As Mother Mary gazed at her son’s lifeless body, tears flowed as she sat near the head of her beloved Son.
(Mark 15: 40-47)