The History
The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows dates back to the Middle Ages, but it gained new popularity following the Marian apparitions in Kibeho, which have been approved by the Catholic Church. During Mary’s apparitions to Marie-Claire Mukangango, she assigned the young visionary a mission to reintroduce this special rosary to the world. Before her untimely death, Marie Claire did just that, traveling widely to teach it to thousands of people, who then taught it to thousands of others.
During her visitations to Kibeho, the Holy Virgin revealed that this rosary possesses immense spiritual power for those who say it sincerely. She promised that when prayed with an open and repentant heart, the rosary would win us the Lord’s forgiveness for our sins and free our souls from guilt and remorse. She also promised that over time, the rosary would develop within us a deep understanding of why we sin, and that knowledge would give us the wisdom and strength to change or remove any internal flaws, weakness of character, or personality faults, causing unhappiness and keeping us from enjoying the joyous life God intended for us to live.
The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows contains all the power you need to change your life for the better, obtain peace and happiness, realize your true potential, fulfill all your dreams, and grow closer to God’s light. During one of her many apparitions to Marie-Claire, the Holy Virgin suggested that it be prayed as often as possible, but especially on Tuesdays and Fridays: Tuesday being the day Mary first appeared to Mary-Claire, and Friday being the day Christ was crucified. The Blessed Mother also stressed that the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows is intended to complement—and in no way replace—the traditional rosary. Pray both rosaries regularly and you’ll be doubly blessed!
Excerpts from the book, Our Lady of Kibeho: Mary Speaks to the World from the Heart of Africa, by Immaculee Ilibagiza with Steve Erwin
The Rosary Of The Seven Sorrows
*Click here to pray along with the Seven Sorrows Rosary video
On the large medal at the bottom of the rosary:
Make Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Introductory Prayer
My God, I offer You this rosary for Your glory, so I may honor Your Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin, so I can share and meditate upon her suffering. I humbly beg You to give me true repentance for all my sins. Give me wisdom and humility so that I may receive all the indulgences contained in this prayer.
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend You, my God, You Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
Hail Mary (3 Times) on each of the next three beads
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
On the first small medal:
Prayer
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Prophecy of Simeon
(Luke 2:22–35)
The Blessed Virgin Mary took Jesus to the temple, as tradition demanded that all newborns be blessed in the temple before God. There, the old priest Simeon held the baby Jesus in his hands, and the Holy Spirit filled his heart. Simeon recognized Jesus as the 
promised Savior and held the child high toward heaven, thanking God for granting his wish that he would live long enough to behold the Messiah.
“Now Your servant may depart this life in peace, my Lord,” he said. Then he looked upon Mary and proclaimed, “And you, woman, a sword of sorrow will pierce Your Heart because of the suffering that shall befall your Child.”
The Blessed Virgin knew that she had given birth to the Savior of humankind, so she immediately understood and accepted Simeon’s prophecy. Although Her Heart was deeply touched by this favor of bearing the Baby Jesus, Her Heart remained heavy and troubled, for she knew what had been written about the ordeals and subsequent death of the Savior. Whenever she saw Her Son, she was constantly reminded of the suffering He would be subject to, and His suffering became Her own.
Prayer
Beloved Mother Mary, whose Heart suffered beyond bearing because of us, teach us to suffer with you and with love, and to accept all the suffering God deems it necessary to send our way. Let us suffer, and may our suffering be known to God only, like yours and that of Jesus. Do not let us show our suffering to the world, so it will matter more and be used to atone for the sins of the world. You, Mother, who suffered with the Savior of the world, we offer you our suffering, and the suffering of the world, because we are your children. Join those sorrows to your own and to those of the Lord Jesus Christ, then offer them to God the Father so that He will know the one who created it. You are a Mother greater than all.
Say 1 the Lord’s Prayer
7 Hail Mary’s (on each of the next seven beads)
On the second small medal:
Prayer
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Flight into Egypt
(Matthew 2:13–15)
Mary’s Heart broke and her mind was greatly troubled when Joseph revealed to her the words of the angel: they were to wake up quickly and flee to Egypt because Herod wanted to kill Jesus. The Blessed Virgin hardly had time to decide what to take or leave behind; she took her Child and left everything else, rushing outside before Joseph so that they could hurry as God wished. Then she said, “Even though God has power over 
everything, He wants us to flee with Jesus, His son. God will show us the way, and we shall arrive without being caught by the enemy.”
Because the Blessed Virgin was the mother of Jesus, she loved him more than anyone else. Her heart was deeply troubled at the sight of her infant son’s discomfort, and she suffered greatly because he was cold and shivering. While she and her husband were tired, sleepy, and hungry during this long travel, Mary’s only thought was about the safety and comfort of her child. She feared coming face to face with the soldiers who had been ordered to kill Jesus because she was aware that the enemy was still in Bethlehem. Her heart remained constantly anguished during this flight. She also knew that where they were going, there would be no friendly faces to greet them.
Prayer
Beloved Mother, who has suffered so much, give to us your courageous heart. Give us strength so that we can be brave like you and accept with love the suffering God sends our way. Help us to also accept all the suffering we inflict upon ourselves and the suffering inflicted upon us by others. Heavenly Mother, you alone purify our suffering so that we may give glory to God and save our souls.
Say 1 the Lord’s Prayer
7 Hail Mary’s (on each of the next seven beads)
On the third small medal:
Prayer:
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Loss of Jesus in the Temple
(Luke 2:41–52)
Jesus was the only begotten son of God, but he was also Mary’s child. The Blessed Virgin loved Jesus more than herself because he was her God. Compared to other children, he was most unique because he was already living as God. When Mary lost Jesus on
their way back from Jerusalem, the world became so big and lonely that she believed she couldn’t go on living without him, so great was her sorrow. (She felt the same pain her son felt when he was later abandoned by his apostles during the Passion.)
As the Holy Mother looked anxiously for her beloved boy, deep pain welled in her heart. She blamed herself, asking why she didn’t take greater care of him. But it was not her fault; Jesus no longer needed her protection as before. What really hurt Mary was that her son had decided to stay behind without her consent. Jesus had pleased her in everything so far: he never annoyed her in any way, nor would he ever displease his parents. She knew that he always did what was necessary, however, so she never suspected him of being disobedient.
Prayer
Beloved Mother, teach us to accept all our sufferings because of our sins and to atone for the sins of the whole world.
Say 1 the Lord’s Prayer
7 Hail Mary’s (on each of the next seven beads)
On the fourth small medal:
Prayer
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
(Luke 23:27–31)
Mary witnessed Jesus carrying the heavy cross alone—the cross on which he was to be crucified. This didn’t surprise the Blessed Virgin because she already knew about the approaching death of Our Lord. Noting how her son was already weakened 
by the numerous hard blows given by the soldiers’ clubs, she was filled with anguish at his pain. The soldiers kept hurrying and pushing him, though he had no strength left. He fell, exhausted, unable to raise himself. At that moment, Mary’s eyes, so full of tender love and compassion, met her son’s eyes, which were pained and covered in blood. Their hearts seemed to be sharing the load; every pain he felt, she felt as well. They knew that nothing could be done except to believe and trust in God and dedicate their suffering to Him. All they could do was put everything in God’s hands.
Prayer
Beloved Mother, so stricken with grief, help us to bear our own suffering with courage and love so that we may relieve your Sorrowful Heart and that of Jesus. In doing so, may we give glory to God Who gave you and Jesus to humanity. As you suffered, teach us to suffer silently and patiently. Grant unto us the grace of loving God in everything. O Mother of Sorrows, most afflicted of all mothers, have mercy on the sinners of the whole world.
Say 1 the Lord’s Prayer
7 Hail Mary’s (on each of the next seven beads)
On the fifth small medal:
Prayer:
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your Son, Jesus
The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: Mary Stands at the Foot of the Cross
(John 19:25–27)
The Blessed Virgin Mary continued to climb the mount to Calvary, following behind Jesus painfully and sorrowfully, yet suffering silently. She could see him staggering and falling with the cross some more, and she witnessed her son being beaten by soldiers who pulled his hair to force him to stand up. Despite his innocence, when Jesus reached the top of 
Calvary, he was ordered to confess in front of the crowd so they could laugh at him.
Mary deeply felt her son’s pain and humiliation, particularly when his tormentors forced him to strip off what was left of his clothing. The Blessed Virgin felt sick at heart seeing these tyrants crucifying her son naked, shaming him terribly merely to amuse the jeering crowd. (Jesus and Mary felt more disgrace than normal people did because they were without sin and holy.
The Blessed Virgin Mary felt pain beyond bearing when Jesus was stretched out on the cross. His murderers sang merrily as they approached him with hammers and nails.
They sat on him heavily so that he could not move when they spiked him to the wood. As they hammered the nails through his hands and feet, Mary felt the blows in her heart; the nails pierced her flesh as they tore into her son’s body. She felt her life fading away.
As the soldiers lifted the cross to drop it into the hole they’d dug, they deliberately jerked it, causing the force of Jesus’ bodily weight to tear through the flesh on his hands and expose his bone. The pain shot through his body like liquid fire. He endured three excruciating hours skewered on the cross, yet the physical pain was nothing compared to the agonizing heartache he was forced to bear seeing his mother suffering below him. Mercifully, he finally died.
Prayer
Beloved Mother, Queen of the Martyrs, give us the courage you had in all your sufferings so that we may unite our sufferings with yours and give glory to God. Help us follow all His commandments and those of the Church so that Our Lord’s sacrifice will not be in vain, and all sinners in the world will be saved.
Say 1 the Lord’s Prayer
7 Hail Mary’s (on each of the next seven beads)
On the sixth small medal:
Prayer
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Sixth Sorrowful Mystery: Mary Receives the Dead Body of Jesus in
Her Arms (John 19:38–40)
The Blessed Virgin Mary continued to climb the mount to Calvary, following behind Jesus painfully and sorrowfully, yet suffering silently. She could see him staggering and falling with the cross some more, and she witnessed her son being beaten by soldiers who pulled his hair to force him to stand up. Despite his innocence, when Jesus reached the top of Calvary, he was ordered to confess in front of the crowd so they could laugh at him. Mary 
deeply felt her son’s pain and humiliation, particularly when his tormentors forced him to strip off what was left of his clothing.
The Blessed Virgin felt sick at heart seeing these tyrants crucifying her son naked, shaming him terribly merely to amuse the jeering crowd. (Jesus and Mary felt more disgrace than normal people did because they were without sin and holy.) The Blessed Virgin Mary felt pain beyond bearing when Jesus was stretched out on the cross. His murderers sang merrily as they approached him with hammers and nails. They sat on him heavily so that he could not move when they spiked him to the wood. As they hammered the nails through his hands and feet, Mary felt the blows in her heart; the nails pierced her flesh as they tore into her son’s body. She felt her life fading away.
As the soldiers lifted the cross to drop it into the hole they’d dug, they deliberately jerked it, causing the force of Jesus’ bodily weight to tear through the flesh on his hands and expose his bone. The pain shot through his body like liquid fire. He endured three excruciating hours skewered on the cross, yet the physical pain was nothing compared to the agonizing heartache he was forced to bear seeing his mother suffering below him. Mercifully, he finally died.
Prayer
Beloved Mother, Queen of the Martyrs, give us the courage you had in all your sufferings so that we may unite our sufferings with yours and give glory to God. Help us follow all His commandments and those of the Church so that Our Lord’s sacrifice will not be in vain, and all sinners in the world will be saved.
Say 1 the Lord’s Prayer
7 Hail Mary’s (on each of the next seven beads)
On the seventh small medal:
Prayer
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Seventh Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus is Placed in the Tomb
(John 19:41–42)
The life of the Blessed Virgin Mary was so closely linked to that of Jesus she thought there was no reason for her to go on living any longer. Her only comfort was that his death had 
ended his unspeakable suffering. Our Sorrowful Mother, with the help of John and the holy women, devoutly placed Jesus’ body in the sepulcher, and she left him there as any other dead person.
She went home with great pain and tremendous sorrow; for the first time she was without him, and her loneliness was a new and bitter source of pain. Her heart had been dying since her son’s heart had stopped beating, but she was certain that our Savior would soon be resurrected.
Prayer
Most Beloved Mother, whose beauty surpasses that of all mothers, Mother of Mercy, Mother of Jesus, and Mother to us all, we are your children and we place all our trust in you. Teach us to see God in all things and all situations, even our sufferings. Help us to understand the importance of suffering, and also to know the purpose of our suffering as God had intended it.
You yourself were conceived and born without sin, were preserved from sin, yet you suffered more than anybody else has. You accepted suffering and pain with love and with unsurpassed courage. You stood by your son from the time he was arrested until he died. You suffered along with him, felt every pain and torment he did. You accomplished the will of God the Father; and according to His will, you have become our savior with Jesus. We beg you, dear Mother, to teach us to do as Jesus did. Teach us to accept our cross courageously. We trust you, most Merciful Mother, so teach us to sacrifice for all the sinners in the world. Help us to follow in your son’s footsteps, and even to be willing to lay down our lives for others.
Say 1 the Lord’s Prayer
7 Hail Mary’s (on each of the next seven beads)
Upon reaching the large medal at the bottom of the rosary:
Say the Prayer:
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
Concluding Prayer
Queen of Martyrs, your heart suffered so much. I beg you, by the merits of the tears you shed in these terrible and sorrowful times, to obtain for me and all the sinners of the world the grace of complete sincerity and repentance. Amen.
Three times, say:
Mary, who was conceived without sin and who suffered for us, pray for us.
Make a sign of the cross; your prayers will be answered!
Prayers of the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Introductory Prayer
My God, I offer You this rosary for Your glory, so I may honor Your Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin, so I can share and meditate upon her suffering. I humbly beg You to give me true repentance for all my sins. Give me wisdom and humility so that I may receive all the indulgences contained in this prayer.
Act of Contrition:
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend You, my God, You Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
Before Each Mystery, Pray:
Most Merciful Mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your Son, Jesus.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and for¬give us our trespasses as we for¬give those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sin¬ners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
For more information on Our Lady of Kibeho and the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, please visit the following web sites:
Rosary of the Seven Sorrows booklets, beads/chaplets are available at Immaculée Store and other Catholic bookstores, eBay, Amazon.com.
Recommended Readings
(1) Our Lady of Kibeho: Mary Speaks to the World from the Heart of Africa [Paper¬back] (ISBN: 9781401923785)
(2) The Boy Who Met Jesus : Segatashya of Kibeho by Immaculée Ilibagiza and Steve Erwin (ISBN: 9781401935818)
"Oh, how glorious it is, how holy and great, to have a Father in heaven!" St. Francis of Assisi
“When I die, I will send down a shower of roses from the heavens, I will spend my heaven by doing good on earth.”
Pray, hope and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayers. St. Padre Pio