A different kind of rosary reflects on Mary’s sorrows

    I recently attended a weekend retreat with the Daughters of Isabella, a wonderful service-oriented group from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Metairie, and I learned about a rosary called the Seven Dolors.
    With the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows approaching on Sept. 15, I thought I would share what I now know about the rosary.
    Marianite of Holy Cross Sister Judy Gomila led a full day of the retreat and introduced the 7 Dolors Rosary of Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows. The Marianites are devoted to Mary, as their name suggests.
    The teacher in Sister Judy was evident as she gave the background on the Dolor Rosary. She distributed cards from the Marianites on how modern-day sufferings can be related to each of the seven dolors (sorrows) that Mary experienced with Jesus during his lifetime.
    The rosary had an impact on those who recited it. Several members expressed how it gave them a whole new insight into Mary’s suffering throughout her life, not just at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. Another told Sister Judy that one particular dolor (sorrow) had resonated with something she was going through in her family.
    Sister Judy said you can look at the Dolor Rosary in two ways: how Mary knows our suffering and consoles us as we experience sorrows today; or how we can identity with Mary who knew the same sorrows that we are now experiencing.
    The Dolor Rosary is prayed on special rosary beads with seven sets of seven beads and a single bead (or medal) in between each dolor. It is slightly shorter than the normal rosary, but when the meditations are added, it might take a little longer to say, Sister Judy said.
    To recite the rosary, one begins with the sign of the cross, three Hail Marys, then a Bible verse, a reflection, followed by an Our Father and then seven Hail Marys for each of the sorrows. At the end, three Hail Marys are said in honor of Mary’s tears and the sign of the cross.
    The dolors and reflections are:
    ➤ First Dolor: Simeon’s prophecy to Mary about Jesus’ passion and death. Scripture verse: Luke 2: 23-35. Reflection: Whom do I know that is suffering?
    ➤ Second Dolor: The flight into Egypt to save Jesus from death as decreed by Herod. Scripture: Matthew 2:13-15. Reflection: How do I reach out to those in passage?
    ➤ Third Dolor: Jesus is lost in the temple in Jerusalem. Scripture: Luke 2:43-51. Reflection: How do I deal with the raw edges of loss in my life?
    ➤ Fourth Dolor: Mary meeting with Jesus carrying his cross on the road to Calvary. Scripture: Luke 23:27. Reflection: Where do I find inner strength to be present to another’s pain?
    ➤ Fifth Dolor: The Crucifixion – Mary watches Jesus die on the cross. Scripture: John 19:25-27. Reflection: What is my stance when life is difficult and offensive?
    ➤ Sixth Dolor: Jesus is taken down from the cross and Mary holds him in her arms. Scripture: John 19:38. Reflection: How does the image of the Pieta speak to me?
    ➤ Seventh Dolor: Jesus is laid in the sepulcher. Scripture: John 19: 39-42. Reflection: What does the church need today that I can give?
    From what I could gather of the history of the rosary, it dates back to the 13th century. Sister Judy said a nun in her congregation also devised the seven Earth Dolors, where ecology is related to the dolors.  
    If you are interested in learning more about the Dolor Rosary, getting the special rosary beads or printed material detailing the reflections on each of the dolors, visit www.marianites.org or call the Marianites of Holy Cross Congregational Center at 945-1620. Sister Judy’s extension is 226.
    Christine Bordelon can be reached at cbordelon@clarionherald.org.