Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. One of the chaplets I say every day is the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary. This is a beautiful way to remember Mary’s suffering and sorrows.
This chaplet reminds us of Mary’s key role in our Redemption. She suffered along with her Son Jesus to save us. This chaplet is prayed using a special rosary comprised of seven “decades” containing seven beads each.
Here is how the Chaplet of Seven Sorrows is prayed:
Each group of seven starts with an Our Father, as in the regular Rosary. Some people start with an Act of Contrition, since the devotion has a penitential aspect. Also like the regular Rosary, the groups of seven Hail Marys are an occasion for meditation on “Mysteries” — in this case, the Seven Sorrows of Mary, listed below:
The First Sorrow
The Prophecy of Simeon
Reading: Luke 2:25-35.
When Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus in the temple, Simeon predicts that a “sword” (of sorrow) will pierce Mary’s soul.
The Second Sorrow
The Flight into Egypt (Massacre of the Innocents)
Reading: Matthew 2:13-15.
When King Herod orders the death of all male children age two or younger, Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt with the infant Jesus.
The Third Sorrow
The Child Jesus Lost in the Temple
Reading: Luke 2: 41-50.
Mary and Joseph search for the child Jesus for three days, finding Him at last — after agonizing sorrow — in the temple.
The Fourth Sorrow
Mary meets Jesus carrying the cross
Reading: Luke 23: 27-29.
As Jesus makes His way to Calvary, condemned to crucifixion, He meets His mother, Mary. He is bruised, derided, cursed and defiled and her sorrow is absolute as Jesus drags His own cross up the hill of His crucifixion.
The Fifth Sorrow
Mary at the foot of the cross
Reading: John 19: 25-30.
Mary stands near her dying Son unable to minister to him as He cries “I thirst.” She hears Him promise heaven to a thief and forgive His enemies. His last words, “Behold your mother,” tell us to look on Mary as our mother.
The Sixth Sorrow
Mary receives the body of Jesus
Reading: Psalm 130.
Jesus is taken down from the cross and His body is placed in Mary’s arms. The passion and death are over, but for His mother, grief continues. She holds His body in her arms.
The Seventh Sorrow
Mary witnesses the burial of Jesus
Reading: Luke 23: 50-56.
The body of Jesus is laid in the tomb. The most tragic day in history ends, Mary alone in sorrow, awaiting the Resurrection.
The Promises of Our Lady to those who regularly recite this chaplet:
1 I will grant peace to their families.
2 They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
3 I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in
their work.
4 I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not
oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of
their souls.
5 I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal
enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
6 I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will
see the face of their Mother.
7 I have obtained from my divine Son, that those who propagate
this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from
this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be
forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and
joy.
Plot Line and Sinker (Ellen Gable, Author) 
Thanks for posting this, Ellen. We used to pray the Sorrows of St. Joseph after praying the Rosary after daily Mass.
I did not know that there was a special Rosary for the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Do you know which saint propagated this devotion?
I believe it was St. Brigid of Sweden!