Mater Dolorosa Parish - Roman Catholic Church, Kensington South, South Africa

MATER DOLOROSA

Our Mother of Sorrows (Latin: Mater Dolorosa) is one of the names by which the Blessed Virgin Mary is referred to in relation to the seven sorrows experienced in her life. The Seven Sorrows refers to events experienced by the Blessed Virgin Mary which are a popular devotion and are also frequently depicted in art. It is a common devotion for Catholics to say a daily Hail Mary for each of the Seven Sorrows. The Seven Sorrows are:

1. The Prophecy of Simeon over the Infant Jesus.
(Luke 2:34)
2. The Flight into Egypt of the Holy Family.
(Matthew 2:13)
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus for Three Days.
(Luke 2:43)
4. The Meeting of Jesus and Mary along the Way of the
Cross. (Luke 23:26)
5. The Crucifixion, where Mary stands at the foot of the
cross. (John 19:25)
6. The Descent from the Cross. Mary receives the dead
body of Jesus in her arms. (Matthew 27:57)
7. The Burial of Jesus. (John 19:40)