A private devotion of the Order of the Servants of Mary (the Servites), founded at Florence in 1233, whose members took the Sorrows of Our Lady as the heart of their spirituality. The chaplet is strung as seven groups of seven beads with medals of the seven sorrows. It is distinct from the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows on 15 September, which is an act of the Church's public worship; the chaplet is a devotional exercise that prepares for and flows from that liturgy.

Begin with an act of contrition. Then take the seven sorrows in order: (1) the prophecy of Simeon; (2) the flight into Egypt; (3) the loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple; (4) Mary meets Jesus carrying the Cross; (5) Mary stands at the foot of the Cross; (6) Mary receives the body of Jesus taken down from the Cross; (7) Jesus is laid in the tomb. For each sorrow read the Gospel scene or recall it quietly, then pray one Our Father and seven Hail Marys. After the seventh sorrow pray three Hail Marys in honour of the tears of the Blessed Virgin, and close with a prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father.

About 20 minutes

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