Friday of Sorrows

Madonna Addolorata, ora pro nobis

The Friday before Palm Sunday is the Friday of Sorrows, a prelude to Holy Week and a solemn remembrance of the Blessed Mother’s grief and desolation at the foot of the Cross. In commemoration we're posting a prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows by St. Alphonsus Liguori. The accompanying photo of the Madonna Addolorata was taken in the basement chapel at St. Athanasius Church in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Ave Maria.

Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows

I compassionate thee, O most sorrowful Mother! Thy heart was pierced with a sword of grief when Simeon foretold to thee in the Temple the ignominious death and the desolation of thy Divine and most dear Son, which thou wast destined one day to witness. By the great anguish of thy suffering heart, O gracious Queen of the universe, impress upon my mind, in life and in death, the sacred Passion of Jesus and thine own sorrows. Amen.