Our Lady of Sorrows is one of the beloved saints of the Catholic Church. This feast commemorates the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, traditionally enumerated as seven. These include the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the loss of Jesus in the Temple, meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary, the Crucifixion, the descent from the Cross, and the burial of Jesus. The Church celebrates Our Lady of Sorrows's feast on 09-15.
Catholic Daily brings you the life of Our Lady of Sorrows as part of our commitment to helping Catholics encounter the saints of the liturgical calendar every morning. Whether you are discovering Our Lady of Sorrows for the first time or deepening a long-standing devotion, this page offers biography, prayers, and practical guidance for honoring this holy patron in your daily life.
Early Life and Calling of Our Lady of Sorrows
This feast commemorates the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, traditionally enumerated as seven. These include the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the loss of Jesus in the Temple, meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary, the Crucifixion, the descent from the Cross, and the burial of Jesus. The feast is placed the day after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
The vocation of Our Lady of Sorrows reminds us that holiness is not the exclusive domain of monks and nuns but the universal call of every baptized Christian. The Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium teaches that all the faithful are called to the fullness of Christian life and the perfection of charity — and Our Lady of Sorrows's life is a shining example of that universal call answered with total generosity.
Patron Saint: The suffering, those in grief
Our Lady of Sorrows is honored as the patron saint of The suffering, those in grief. The designation of patron saints is a beautiful expression of the Catholic doctrine of the Communion of Saints — the belief that the saints in heaven are not distant figures from the past but active intercessors who accompany us in our earthly journey.
Those who work in or are associated with The suffering have traditionally invoked Our Lady of Sorrows's intercession for protection, guidance, and grace in their particular circumstances. The patronage of Our Lady of Sorrows is grounded in the specific details of Sorrows's life and ministry, which created a lasting bond between this saint and those who share similar callings or needs.
How to Honor Our Lady of Sorrows in Your Daily Life
The Church's tradition offers many beautiful ways to honor Our Lady of Sorrows and seek Sorrows's intercession:
On the Feast Day (09-15): Attend Mass if possible, as the liturgy on Sorrows's feast day will often include readings and prayers that illuminate Sorrows's particular sanctity. Light a candle before an image of Our Lady of Sorrows and spend a few minutes in prayer.
Daily Devotion: Place an image or icon of Our Lady of Sorrows in your home — in your prayer corner, on your desk, or in your car. A simple morning invocation, "St. Sorrows, pray for us," draws Sorrows's intercession into your day.
Novena: A nine-day novena to Our Lady of Sorrows can be prayed before the feast day (beginning nine days prior) or at any time of particular need. Many Catholics have reported profound graces through novena prayer.
Study: Read a biography of Our Lady of Sorrows. The lives of the saints are the living commentary on the Gospel — they show us what it looks like to follow Christ in a particular time, culture, and vocation.
Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows
O glorious Our Lady of Sorrows, whose life was a testament to the love and power of Almighty God, look upon us with mercy from your place before His throne. You who walked the path of holiness with courage and fidelity, intercede for us who struggle in the pilgrimage of faith. Obtain for us from God the graces we most need — especially [state your intention here] — and help us to follow your example of love, courage, and total surrender to God's will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Feast Day Prayer (from the Roman Missal):Lord our God, you have given us Our Lady of Sorrows as a witness to your goodness and mercy. May we who honor Sorrows's memory imitate Sorrows's virtues and one day share Sorrows's joy in your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Lady of Sorrows in Art and Catholic Tradition
Our Lady of Sorrows has been depicted in Catholic sacred art for centuries. Traditional iconography of the saints communicates theological truths through visual symbols — a language that transcends words and speaks directly to the heart.
Common symbols associated with Our Lady of Sorrows in Catholic art may include:
- A halo or nimbus, indicating canonized sainthood
- Specific objects or instruments associated with Sorrows's life or martyrdom
- Liturgical vestments corresponding to Sorrows's state of life (religious habit, episcopal robes, or lay clothing)
- A palm branch, if Our Lady of Sorrows is a martyr
A lesser-known fact about Our Lady of Sorrows: The hymn Stabat Mater, one of the most frequently set texts in Western music, meditates on Mary's sorrows at the foot of the Cross.
When praying before an image of Our Lady of Sorrows, allow the symbols to draw your attention to the virtues they represent. Sacred art is not decoration but theology made visible — a window through which the heavenly reality shines into our earthly prayer.