This Thursday, 8th sept , 2011 novenas commence at the Our Lady of Sorrows chapel, Nagvado Betalbatim. The feast will be celebrated on 15th september 2011 this year.
The first altar to the Mater Dolorosa was set up in 1221 at the monastery of Schönau. Especially in Mediterranean countries, parishioners traditionally carry statues of Our Lady of Sorrows in processions on the days leading to Good Friday.
No feast in her honour was included in St Pius V's 1570 Tridentine Calendar. Vatican approval for the celebration of a feast in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows was first granted to the Servite order in 1667.
By inserting the feast into the Roman Catholic calendar of saints in 1814, Pope Pius VII extended the celebration to the whole of the Latin Church. It was assigned to the third Sunday in September. In 1913,Pope Pius X moved the feast to September 15, the day after the Feast of the Cross. It is still observed on that date.
The Seven Sorrows (or Dolors) are events in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary which are a popular devotion and are frequently depicted in art.
It is a common devotion for Catholics to say daily one Our Father and seven Hail Mary for each.
- The Prophecy of Simeon. (Luke 2:34-35) or the Circumcision of Christ
- The Flight into Egypt. (Matthew 2:13)
- The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple. (Luke 2:43-45)
- Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary. (Luke 23:26)
- Jesus Dies on the Cross. (John 19:25)
- Mary Receives the Body of Jesus in Her Arms. (Matthew 27:57-59)
- The Body of Jesus is Placed in the Tomb. (John 19:40-42)
These 7 Sorrows should not be confused with the 5 Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. Note that the first Sorrow is counted as one of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.
