Day of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows

Day of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows (Patron of Slovakia) History

The Day of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows venerates the Virgin Mary and commemorates the seven griefs she experienced throughout her life. The aim of this observance is to emphasize Mary's compassionate and merciful nature, connecting her with the sufferings of people across the globe. The Seven Sorrows themselves vary among different Christian denominations but often include events such as the prophecy of Simeon, the flight to Egypt, and the crucifixion of Jesus.

The devotion to Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows traces its origin back to the Middle Ages and is attributed to the Order of the Servants of Mary, a Catholic religious order founded in Italy in 1233. In the European Union, this observance holds particular significance in countries with strong Catholic traditions such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Poland. Originally celebrated on the Friday after the third Sunday of September, the Feast of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows was eventually designated by Pope Pius VII in 1814 as a universal feast in the Catholic Church to be celebrated on September 15th.

In the European Union, the Day of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows is marked by various religious activities and commemorations, including special masses, processions, and prayers dedicated to the Virgin Mary and her role as Co-Redemptrix and Star of Evangelization. Many faithful dedicate acts of penance during this day, while others choose to recite the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows, praying for peace and an end to suffering worldwide. Catholic schools and organizations in certain EU member states may also participate in activities or events focused on the teachings and significance of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows. In the European Union, the Day of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows is observed on September 15th.

Top facts and quotes about Day of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows

• In 1995, Pope John Paul II visited the Sastin Basilica and added a gold crown to the statue of the Sorrowful Mother.
• The seven sorrows are:
  1) A sword of sorrow would pierce Mary's heart
  2) Fleeing to Egypt to avoid the King's murderous plot
  3) Jesus' parents look for him in Jerusalem
  4) Mary witnessing Jesus' crucifixion
  5) Mary's encounter with Jesus on route to Golgotha
  6) Jesus' body placed in his mother's arms
  7) The burial of Jesus
• Our Mother of Sorrows, patroness of Slovakia, pray for us. - Inscription above the altar inside the Sastin Basilica
• Father, As your Son was raised on the cross, His mother Mary stood by Him, sharing His suffering. May she, who is also our spiritual Mother and Patroness in heaven, help us to find renewed strength at the cross of Christ and so to come to share in His rising to new life, where He lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. - Prayer in honour of Our Lady of Sorrows

In the News and Trending in the EU for Day of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows

Day of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Top Things to Do

• Recite the prayer in honour of Our Lady of Sorrows as shown above. It is customary to recite the prayer several times on this holiday.
• Spread awareness for the day on social media by using hashtags such as #OurLadyoftheSevenSorrows, #SorrowfulMother and #SlovakiasPatroness.
• Embark on the pilgrimage to Sastin Basilica in Sastin, Slovakia. This pilgrimage to Sastin began in 1564 and is the focal point of the day.
• Watch the event on TV. The main events are broadcast on many channels. The Slovakian President, the highest members for the parliament and top clergy are present.
• Read a book about Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows to further develop your understanding of the meaning of the day. Some of our favourites: The Lady of the Seven Sorrows, Devotion to the Sorrowful Mother and Seven Sorrows of Mary.