The Church commemorates by two Feasts the martyrdom suffered by Our Lady, one of two feasts devoted to this same devotion in union with the Passion of Her Divine Son Jesus and His Holy Cross. The First Feast especially commemorates "the Compassion of Mary" the second, kept on September 15, the devotion to the Seven Sorrows.

   In 1727 Pope Benedict XIII declared the feast of the Seven Dolors of Mary to be celebrated on the Friday prior to Palm Sunday, though the Servites had been celebrating it on the Sunday after the feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross in September since 1668. Having two feasts further emphasizes Mary's importance and vital role in co-redemption as well as reminding Catholics everywhere of Mary's suffering during the Passion and Death of her Divine Son. Two icons bring home this fact, first the magnificent Pieta sculptured by the master Michelangelo and which resides behind glass at the back right side of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, and the moving hymn "Stabat Mater" employed during Lent and during the Stations of the Cross to reflect Our Lady's grief and tribulations. She is often depicted with seven swords piercing her Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart as described by Simeon in Luke 2: 34, "And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

   The Marian Saint Bernard wrote "Truly...He died in body through a love greater than anyone had known; she died in spirit through a love unlike any other since His."

Stabant juxta crucem Jesu mater ejus, et soror matris ejus Maria Cleophae, et Salome, et Maria Magdalene. (John 19: 26-27) Mulier, ecce filius tuus: dixit Jesus; ad discipulum autem: Ecce mater tua. REPEAT: Stabant juxta crucem...		There stood by the cross of Jesus His Mother, and His mother's sister Mary of Cleophas, and Salome, and Mary Magdalen. (John 19: 26-27) Woman, behold thy son, said Jesus; and to the disciple, Behold thy mother. REPEAT There stood by the cross...

Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS

---

COLLECT

Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. Oremus. Deus, in cujus passione, secundum Simeonis prophetiam, dulcissimam animam gloriosae Virginis et Matris Mariae doloris gladius pertransivit : concede propitius ; ut, qui transfixionem ejus et passionem venerando, recolimus, gloriosis meritis et precibus omnium Sanctorum cruci fideliter astantium intercedentibus, passionis tuae effectum felicem consequamur: Per Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen. Second Collect for Friday in Passion Week Oremus. Cordibus nostris, quaesumus, Domine, gratiam tuam benignus infunde : ut peccata nostra castigatione voluntaria cohibentes, temporaliter potius maceremur, quam supplices deputemur aeternis. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen. Third Collect Against the Persecutors of Holy Mother Church Oremus. Ecclesiae tuae, quaesumus, Domine, preces placatus admitte : ut, destructis adversitatibus et erroribus universis, secura tibi serviat libertate. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen.		The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. O God, at Whose passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon, a sword of sorrow pierced the most sweet soul of the glorious virgin and mother Mary; grant in Thy mercy that we, who call to mind with veneration her soul pierced with sorrow, through the glorious merits and prayers of all the saints faithfully standing by Thy cross, may obtain the blessed result of Thy Passion. Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. R.Amen. Second Collect For Friday in Passion Week Let us pray. Pour forth Thy grace into our hearts, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we who refrain from sin by self-denial, may be rather afflicted in time than condemned to eternal punishment. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. R.Amen. Third Collect Against the persecutors of Holy Mother Church Let us pray. We beseech Thee, O Lord, mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy Church : that, all adversity and error being destroyed, she may serve Thee in security and freedom. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. R.Amen.

---

EPISTLE:   Judith 13: 22, 23-25

Lectio libri Judith. Benedixit te Dominus in virtue sua, quia per te ad nihilum redegit inimicos nostros. Benedicta es tu, filia, a Domino Deo excelso, prae omnibus mulieribus super terram. Benedictus Dominus, qui creavit caelum et terram: quia hodie nomen tuum ita magnificavit, ut non recedat laus tua de ore hominum, qui memores fuerint virtuis Domini in aeternum, pro quibus non pepercisti animae tuae propter angustiis et tribulationem generic tui, sed subvenisti ruinae ante conspectum Dei nostri. Deo Gratias.		Lesson from the Book of Judith. The Lord hath blessed thee by His power, who by thee hath brought our enemies to nought. Blessed art thou, O daughter, by the Lord the most high God, above all women upon the earth. Blessed be the Lord who made heaven and earth, because He hath so magnified thy name this day, that thy praise shall not depart out of the mouth of man, who shall be mindful of the power of the Lord forever; for that thou hast not spared thy life by reason of the distress and tribulation of thy people, but hast prevented our ruin in the presence of our God. Thanks be to God.

---

GRADUAL:  

Dolorosa et lacrimabilis es, Virgo Maria, stans juxta crucem Domini Jesu Fili tui Redemptoris. V. Virgo Dei Genitrix, quem totus non capit orbis, hoc cruces fert supplicum, auctor vitae factus homo. V. Stabat sancta Maria, caeli Regina, et mundi Domina, juxta crucem Domini nostri Jesu Christi dolorosa.		Thou art sorrowful and tearful, O Virgin Mary, standing by the cross of the Lord Jesus, thy Son, our Redeemer. V. O Virgin Mother of God, He Whom the whole world doth not contain, beareth this punishment of the cross; He the author of life made man. V. Holy Mary, the queen of Heaven and mistress of the world, stood by the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, full of grief.

TRACT:  John 19: 25; Lamentations 1: 12

Stabant autem juxta crucem Jesu mater ejus, et soror matris ejus, Maria Cleophæ, et Maria Magdalene. O vos omnes qui transitis per viam, attendite, et videte si est dolor sicut dolor meus ! Quoniam vindemiavit me, ut locutus est Dominus, in die iræ furoris sui. Stabat Mater dolorosa, Juxta crucem lacrimosa, Dum pendebat Filius. 2. Cujus animam gemendtem, Constristatam et dolentem, Pertransivit gladius. 3. O quam tristis et afflicta Fuit illa benedicta Mater Unigeniti! 4. Quae maerebat, et dolebat, Pia Mater dum videbat Nati poenas inclyti. 5. Quis est homo; qui non fieret, Matrem Christi si videret In tanto supplicio? 6. Quis non posset contristari, Christi Matrem contemplari Dolentem cum Filio? 7. Pro peccatis suae gentis Vidit Jesum in tormentis Et flagellis subditum. 8. Vidit suum dulcem natum Moriendo desolatum, Dum emfsit spiritum. 9. Eia Mater, fons amoris, Me sentire vim doloris Fac, ut tecum lugeam. 10. Fac ut ardeat cor meum In amando Christum Deum, Ut sibi complaceam. 11. Sancta Mater, istud agas, Crucifixi fige plagas Cordi meo valide. 12. Tui nati vulnerati, Tam dignati pro me pati, Poenas mecum divide. 13. Fac me tecum pie flere, Crucifixo condolere, Donec ego vixero. 14. Juxta crucem tecum stare, Et me tibi sociare In planctu desidero. 15. Virgo Virginum praeclara, Mihi jam non sis amara: Fac me tecum plangere. 16. Fac ut portem Christi mortem, Passionis fac consortem, Et plagas recolere. 17. Fac me plagis vulnerary Fac me cruce inebriari, Et cruore Filii. 18. Flammis ne urar succensus. Per te, Virgo, sim defenses, In die jucidii. 19. Christe, cum sit hinc exire, Da per Matrem me venire Ad palmam victoriae. 20. Quando corpus morietur, Fac ut animae donetur Paradisi gloria. Amen.		Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. O all ye that pass by the way, attend, and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow: for he hath made a vintage of me, as the Lord spoke in the day of his fierce anger. 1. At the cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last. 2. Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, All his bitter anguish bearing, Now at length the sword had pass'd. 3. Oh, how sad and sore distress'd Was that Mother, highly blest Of the sole-begotten One! 4. Christ above in torment hangs; She beneath beholds the pangs of her dying glorious Son. 5. Is there one who would not weep Whelmi'd in miseries so deep Christ's dear Mother to behold. 6. Can the human heart refrain From partaking in her pain, in that Mother's pain untold? 7. Bruis'd, derided, curs'd, defil'd, She beheld her tender child: All with bloody scourges rent. 8. For the sins of His own nation, Saw Him hang in desolation, Till His spirit forth He sent. 9. O thou Mother! Font of love! Touch my spirit from above; Make my heart with thine accord. 10. Make me feel as thou hast felt; Make my soul to glow and melt With the love of Christ our Lord. 11. Holy Mother! Pierce me through; In my heart each wound renew Of my Savior crucified. 12. Let me share with thee His pain, Who for all my sins was slain, Who for me in torments died. 13. Let me mingle tears with thee, Mourning Him who mounr'd for me, All the days that I may life. 14. By the cross with thee to stay, There with thee to weep and pray, Is all I ask of thee to give. 15. Virgin of all virgins best, Listen to my fond request: Let me share thy grief divine. 16. Let me, to my latest breath, in my body bear the death Of that dying Son of thine. 17. Wounded with His every wound, steep my soul till it hath swoon'd In His very blood away. 18. Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, Lest in flames I burn and die, In His awful Judgment day. 19. Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence, Be Thy Mother my defense, Be Thy cross my victory. 20. While my body here decays, May my soul Thy goodness praise, Safe in Paradise with Thee. Amen.

---

GOSPEL:    John 19: 25-27

Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem. R.Gloria tibi, Domine Stabant autem juxta crucem Jesu mater ejus, et soror matris ejus, Maria Cleophæ, et Maria Magdalene. Cum vidisset ergo Jesus matrem, et discipulum stantem, quem diligebat, dicit matri suæ : "Mulier ecce filius tuus." Deinde dicit discipulo : "Ecce mater tua." Et ex illa hora accepit eam discipulus in sua. Laus tibi Christe.		The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. The continuation of the holy Gospel according to John. R. Glory to Thee, O Lord Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore had seen His mother and the disciple standing whom He loved, He saith to His mother:"Woman, behold thy son." After that, He saith to the disciple: "Behold thy mother." And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. Praise be to Christ

---

OFFERTORY:   Jeremias 18: 20

Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. Numquid redditur pro bono malum, quia foderunt foveam animæ meæ ? Recordare quod steterim in conspectu tuo ut loquerer pro eis bonum, et averterem indignationem tuam ab eis.		The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. Shall evil be rendered for good, because they have digged a pit for my soul? Remember that I have stood in thy sight, to speak good for them, and to turn away thy indignation from them.

Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE OFFERTORY

---

SECRET

Offerimus tibi preces et hostias, Domine Jesu Christe, humiliter supplicantes : ut, qui Transfixionem dulcissimi spiritus beatae Mariae Matris tuae precibus recensemus; suo, suorumque sub cruce Sanctorum consortium, multiplicato piissimo intereventu meritis mortis tuae, meritum cum beatis habeamus : Qui vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen. Second Secret for Friday in Passion Week Praesta nobis, misericors Deus : ut digne tuis servire semper altaribus mereamur; et eorum perpetua participatione salvari. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen. Third Secret Against the persecutors of Holy Mother Church Protegenos, Domine, tuis mysteriis servientes : ut, divinis rebus inhaerentes, et corpore tibi famulemur et mente. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen.		We offer unto Thee our prayers and oblations, O Lord Jesus Christ, humbly beseeching Thee, that we who recall in our prayers the piercing of the mot sweet soul of blessed Mary, Thy mother, through the merits of Thy death and the manifold intercession of Thy mother and her holy companions at the foot of the cross, may share the reward of the blessed. Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. R.Amen. Second Secret for Friday in Passion Week Grant, O merciful God, that we may ever worthily deserve to minister at Thy altars, and to be saved by our constant participation therein. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. R. Amen. Third Secret Against the persecutors of Holy Mother Church Protect us, O Lord, who assist at Thy mysteries ; that, fixed upon things divine we may serve Thee in both body and mind. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. R. Amen.

---

PREFACE   OF THE HOLY CROSS

Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. Sursum corda. R.Habemus ad Dominum. Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro. R. Dignum et justum est. Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos Tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere : Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus. Qui salutem humani generic in lingo Cruces constituisti : ut, unde mors oriebatur, inde vita resurgeret : et Qui in lingo vincebat, in lingo quoque vinceretur, per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per Quem majestatem tuam laudant angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Coeli, coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim social exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti jubeas, deprecamur, supplici convessione dicentes: SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS...		The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. Lift up your hearts. R.We have lifted them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. R. It is meet and just. It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God : Who didst establish the salvation of mankind on the tree of the Cross: that whence death came thence also life might arise again, and that he, Who overcame by the tree, by the tree also might be overcome: Through Christ our Lord. Through Whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the Heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat Thee, that Thou mayest bid our voices also be admitted while we say with lowly praise: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY...


Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE CANON OF THE MASS

---

COMMUNION:    Psalm 26: 12

Ne tradideris me in animas tribulantium me, quoniam insurrexerunt in me testes iniqui, et mentita est iniquitas sibi.		Deliver me not over to the will of them that trouble me; for unjust witnesses have risen up against me; and iniquity hath lied to itself.

---


Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE CANON OF THE MASS

---

POSTCOMMUNION

Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. Oremus. Sacrificia, quae sumpsimus, Domine Jesu Christe, Transfixionem Matris tuae et Virginis devote celebrantes: nobis impetrent apud clementiam tuam omnis boni salutaris effectum : Qui vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen. Second Postcommunion for Friday in Passion Week Oremus. Sumpti sacrificii, Domine, perpetua nos tuition non derelinquat : et noxia semper a nobis cuncta depellat. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen. Third Postcommunion against the persecutors of Holy Mother Church Oremus. Quaesumus, Domine Deus noster : ut, quos divina tribuis participatione gaudere : huminis non sinas subjacere periculis. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen.		The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. May the divine sacrifice, O Lord Jesus Christ, of which we, commemorating the transfixion of Thy virgin Mother, have partaken, obtain for us from Thy mercy every good and salutary gift. Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. R. Amen. Second Postcommunion for Friday in Passion Week Let us pray. We beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that Thou wouldst not suffer to be exposed to human dangers those to whom Thou givest to rejoice in this divine banquet. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. R. Amen. Third Postcommunion against the persecutors of Holy Mother Church We beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that Thou wouldst not suffer to be exposed to human dangers those to whom Thou givest to rejoice in this divine banquet. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. R. Amen.

---

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE:

Oremus. Humilitate capita vestra Deo. Concede, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus : ut qui protectionis tuae gratiam quaerimus, liberati a malis omnibus, secura tibi mente serviamus. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen.		Let us pray. Bow down your heads before God. Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who seek the grace of Thy protection, being freed from all evil, may serve Thee with a quiet mind. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. R. Amen.

Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS CONCLUSION OF THE HOLY MASS

---







Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary