Description
Having it’s origins in the 1200’s with the Servite order, this chaplet has a resurgence of popularity since the 1980’s when Our Lady appeared in Rwanda as Our Lady of Kibeho asking for this devotion to be spread. This apparition to three school children was approved by the Church in 2001.
Like the rosary, the Seven Sorrows Chaplet meditates on the life of Jesus and Mary, but this time through Mary’s Seven Sorrows. The sorrows – or swords – harken back to the Prophecy of Simeon when he said “and you yourself a sword shall pierce” when talking of the sufferings of her Son. The number seven has the Biblical symbolism of completeness and so the Servites chose these seven sorrows as The Seven Sorrows.
They are:
1. The Prophecy of Simeon
2. The Flight into Egypt
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
4. Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
5. Mary Stands at the Foot of the Cross
6. Mary Receives the Dead Body of Jesus in Her Arms
7.The Body of Jesus is Placed in the Tomb
The prayers of the chaplet are included in a pamphlet (see the photos), but overall the chaplet is very similar to a rosary – at the medal announce the Sorrow and pray an Our Father, then pray a Hail Mary on the next seven beads. There’s an intro and concluding prayer and the simple prayer “O Merciful Mother, remind us always about the Sorrows of your Son, Jesus.” instead of a Glory Be at the end of each “decade”.
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Fund fact about lapis lazuli – it is the stone that painters would grind up for the blue pigment that was so often used for Mary in paintings. It’s the perfect Marian blue because it literally is The Marian blue.
This chaplet is assembled with 49-strand steel beading wire, crimping beads, and wire protectors, so it is super strong and will last a lifetime of use. While I do strength test every rosary, it is still a handmade piece and prone to human error. So, should it break, simply gather all the beads you can find and contact me and I’ll gladly repair it for you for free sans shipping and the replacement of major parts (if you loose the spacers, don’t even worry about it).
The beads are stone and have a weight to them, which I always find helps me really focus when I’m praying. They also take on the ambient temperature of the room- so in winter I usually find my rosary to be a little chilly- just another reminder that you’re praying! But they also quickly warm up from your body heat.
The beading wire stretches slightly as it is used (this is normal) so you will still be able to slide the beads along as you pray.
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Features of the rosary:
Centerpiece: 1″x5/8″ Miraculous Medal with angels nickel silver centerpiece
Seven Sorrows medals: 3/4″x 1/2″ detailed nickel silver
Hail Mary beads: 8mm polished or matte lapis lazuli, 8mm brecciated jasper, 8mm polished onyx and matte black agate
Spacers: black czech glass seed beads, silver plated spacers and bead caps or copper bead caps
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Sharon –
I had purchased this “At the Foot of the Cross” version, and love it. Although the other version colors are pretty, I found the red and black brecciated jasper beads fit my idea of the sorrows. The stones are cool this time of year, but heat up quickly in my hands. The chaplet well made, and looks like it will last a very long time.