Our Lady of Tears

Our Lady of Tears

"Through this rosary the devil will be conquered and the power of hell will be destroyed."

Our sweet Lady of Tears - The Helper of the Poor and Suffering Mankind - as she appeared to Sister Amalia of the Scourged Jesus in Campinas, Brazil on March 8, 1930.

Humble Beginnings

Shortly after World War I and around the time of the Great Depression in America, there lived a pious religious named Sister Amalia of the Scourged Jesus. Her convent, called the Institute of the Missionaries of the Scourged Jesus, was located in South America in Campinas, Brazil.

Monsignor Count Franciscus von Campos Barreto, Bishop of the Diocese of Campinas, established the Institute with Sister Amalia's help as a cofoundress. Sister was also one of the first eight women to dedicate their lives to the service of God there.

As Saint Francis, Padre Pio and Theresa Neumann, Sister Amalia was privileged to bear the stigmata of Christ. By this mark alone, it is apparent her destiny was to be a victim soul for the needy. This certainly was befitting her generous and sacrificial nature.

On December 8 -- the Feast of the Immaculate Conception -- 1927, Sister Amalia made her temporary vows and received her habit. Exactly four years later, on December 8, 1931, she professed her perpetual vows, and became a nun consecrated to the Church and God.

Sister's Tearful Relation

One day in the Fall of 1929, one of Sister Amalia's male relatives called on her at the convent. He was in great need. His wife was seriously ill, and he was -- understandably and sadly -- greatly distressed. He relayed to sister, that according to the diagnosis of several doctors, his spouse's affliction was incurable, and he did not know what to do or what God expected of him. She was his last hope.

Grief-stricken and teary-eyed, her relation cried despairingly aloud, "What will happen with the children?"

Sister Amalia's heart also grieved at the sight of her relative's sorrow, and the hardship facing both him and his dependent offspring. Her innate inclinations compelled her to desire to help in any way possible, so while this tale of woe was being told, she turned interiorly towards our Divine Savior in deep reflection and prayer, seeking intently what she could offer or do.

Simultaneously listening and soul-searching, Sister Amalia felt an inner impulse urging her to visit Jesus in church. When their meeting had ended, she faithfully and swiftly responded to this calling.

Seeking Help: To Jesus in Chapel

Upon entering the house of God, Sister Amalia reverently genuflected and proceeded to the steps just before the altar. Here she knelt down and extended her arms towards Jesus in the tabernacle. (By her own account and example, we see Sister Amalia as a highly-perfected soul, with the sweet and tender grace of recognizing -- and responding to -- the Divine Presence of our Lord and Savior in the Most Blessed Sacrament.)

In this devout disposition and posture -- humbly submissive to our Eucharistic King -- she spoke to Jesus, "If there is no hope for the wife of T. . ., then I am ready to offer my life for the mother of the family. What do you want me to do?"

Jesus answered,

"If you want to receive these favors, ask me for the sake of My Mother's tears."

Sister Amalia asked further, "How must I pray?"

In answering, Jesus gave her the following invocations:

"Oh Jesus, listen to our prayers for the sake of the tears of Your most holy Mother!

Oh Jesus, look upon the tears of the one who loved You most on earth and loves You most ardently in heaven!"

Finally, Jesus added,

"My daughter, whatever people will beg Me for the sake of the tears of My Mother, I shall lovingly grant them.

Later, My Mother will hand over this treasure to our beloved Institute as a Magnet of mercy."

This took place on November 8, 1929.

God's Prophecy Fulfilled

Jesus fulfilled this promise to Sister Amalia exactly four months later, in the Spring of the following year. At the divinely appointed time, the Blessed Virgin Mary gave this treasure to heaven's beloved Institute. The following are Sister Amalia's own recollections of what took place.

"It was March 8, 1930. I was in the chapel kneeling on the steps of the altar, as I suddenly felt myself being lifted up.

Then I saw a woman of unspeakable beauty approaching me. She wore a violet robe, blue mantle, and a white veil draped over her shoulders. Smiling, she floated in the air towards me, holding a rosary in her hands, which she herself called "corona" [i.e. circle and means rosary]. Its beads shined like the sun and were as white as snow. Handing me this rosary she said to me,

'This is the rosary of my tears, which is being entrusted by my Son to His beloved Institute as a portion of His inheritance.

The invocations were already given by my Son.

My Son wants to honor me in a special way through these invocations, and so, He will grant all graces that are begged for the sake of my tears.

This rosary will provide for the conversion of many sinners, especially those possessed by the devil.

To the Institute of the Crucified Jesus is reserved a special honor, that is the conversion of many members of a wicked sect to the blooming tree of the Church.

Through this rosary the devil will be conquered and the power of hell will be destroyed.

Get ready for this great battle.'

When our Blessed Mother Mary had finished speaking, she disappeared."

Documentation

In 1934 -- just a few years after the apparitions -- His Excellency Bishop Franciscus von Campinas traveled from Rome to Germany to visit Theresa Neumann in Konnersreuth. He also went to see the Oberammergau Passion Play on May 27th.

Through documentation secured from a contemplative order in Germany and recorded in a pamphlet entitled "Our Dear Lady of Tears," we relay all the particulars and public announcements regarding the apparitions in Campinas and about Sister Amalia -- as given first hand by the Bishop.

His Excellency assured that not only in Brazil, but also in other countries, that after wearing the medal of our dear Lady of Tears -- revealed to Sister Amalia in another apparition by the Mother of God -- innumerable conversions had taken place.

"Innnumerable graces have been received through the praying of the rosary to honor the tears of our dear Lady. The reason lies in the promise of the holy Savior, 'no favor will be refused, when asked of Him for the sake of the tears of His most holy Mother.'

It is well known, that the holy Savior rewards in a special way the sincere reverence for the sorrows of His most holy Mother, which alone are the cause of her tears. Also from Germany, Holland, and Belgium many report of extraordinary favors and graces. They prayed the rosary of our Lady of the Tears daily for nine days, received the holy sacraments and performed works of mercy.

From religious, we understand, that the praying of this rosary is a very dear habit to which they attribute extraordinary graces. For that reason, they pray it daily often to ask graces for themselves and others, the conversion of sinners, heretics, and atheists, to obtain graces for priests and missionaries, to help the dying, and to free the poor souls from Purgatory.

A believing, pious soul, for whom the good of the holy Church, and the honor of God is close at heart, knows without special guidance, what it can and will obtain from our gracious Redeemer through the tears of His most holy Mother.

When sorrow and suffering fill our heart, we direct our thoughts to God. Through the tears of Mary, His most holy Mother, we soften the heart of God, even though it is ever ready to grant us kindness, graces and blessings.

At the present, so it seems to us, the blessed tears of the Mother of Jesus are especially powerful to win the heart of God." -- Msgr. Count Franciscus von Campos Barreto, Bishop of Campinas

Mary's Tears

In this vale of tears world we live in, the apparition of our Blessed Mother to Sister Amalia was not the first or only time that Holy Mary bore her sorrow before one of her children.

In the approved account of Mélanie Calvat -- the shepherdess of La Salette -- we witness Our Lady of La Salette's deep sadness, when she appeared in the French Alps on September 19, 1846:

"The Holy Virgin was crying nearly the whole time she spoke to me. Her tears flowed gently, one by one, down to her knees, then, like sparks of light, they disappeared. They were glittering and full of love. I would have liked to comfort Her and stop Her tears. But it seemed to me that She needed the tears to show better Her love forgotten by men. I would have liked to throw myself into Her arms and say to Her: 'My kind Mother, do not cry! I want to love you for all men on earth.' But she seemed to be saying to me: There are so many who know me not!

I was in between life and death, and on one side, I saw so much desire by this Mother to be loved, and on another side, so much cold and indifference . . . Oh! my Mother, most beautiful and lovable Mother, my love, heart of my heart!

The tears of our sweet Mother, far from lessening her air of majesty, of a Queen and a Mistress, seemed, on the contrary, to embellish Her, to make Her more beautiful, more powerful, more filled with love, more maternal, more ravishing, and I could have wiped away her tears which made my heart leap with compassion and love. To see a Mother cry, and such a M other, without doing everything possible to comfort her and change her grief into joy, is that possible? Oh! Mother, who is more than good, you have been formed with all the prerogatives God is able to make; you have married the power of God, so to speak; you are good, and more, you are good with the goodness of God Himself. God has extended Himself by making you his terrestrial and celestial masterpiece."

This is a deeply moving account.

Another visit from our Lady -- in tears -- occurred over the course of five days, from August 29 to September 2, 1953 in Syracuse, Sicily. Then and there, the image of Mary cried incessantly from a common terra-cotta plaque.

Thousands of people came to witness this miracle of Mary's tears in the simple home of a poor Sicilian laborer. A thorough investigation of the event was conducted by the Church, and confirmed -- through the bishops of Sicily -- that the communication was divinely ordained.

Pope Pius XII, the angelic pastor, was most exclamatory on the Vatican radio, when he proclaimed, "O the tears of Mary!"

Mediatrix of All Grace

A sound and reverent appreciation for the efficacy of the Blessed Virgin Mary's tears should proceed directly from the most simple of meditations on the Passion of Christ.

As we reflect on Jesus' unimaginable agony along the way to Golgotha or nailed to the wood of the Cross, our contemplations are only complete and accurate when they recall and commiserate Mary's sufferings aside her divine Son.

Immediately after meeting Mary on the way to His execution, Jesus was assisted by both Simon the Cyrenean and Saint Veronica. Did not our Lady's motherly tears and prayers effectively intercede for, and obtain these consolations?

Assuredly, her tears of love have obtained -- and continue to -- many consolations for us also, as we ascend our little calvaries. Who can discount the co-redemptive power and force of Mary's immaculate tears? Who also does not want to kiss them away by offering sweet Mother Mary their entire beings.

As Jesus died on the Cross, Mary died interiorly, perfectly -- prayerfully -- offering the sacrifice of her divine Son (with Him) to the Father, for the salvation of all us poor sinners.

As Jesus has given us His Sacred Heart, Mary has given us her Immaculate Heart.

As Jesus has given us His Most Precious Blood, Mary has given us her Most Precious Tears.

In today's perilous times, as we are besieged with seemingly endless and evermore ferocious attacks on the Church and our own salvation, from those who "don't know Mary" -- and those who don't care to -- let the prudent among us seek the support of the tears of Mary, that they may evermore keep us in the Blood of Christ.

Let us "Get ready for this great battle."

Our Lady of La Salette

... as attired (in yellow) and postured when she appeared to the two little shepherds of La Salette -- Mélanie and Maximim -- September 19, 1846. Mélanie's wrote, "The more I looked, the more I wanted to see; the more I saw, the more I loved Her and I loved her with all my might."

Our Lady of Sorrows

This miraculous portrait of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Quito, Ecuador has shed tears.

For certain, our Blessed Mother weeps for Christ's Church and the suffering children entrusted to her maternal heart by God.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary

Another popular devotion to honor and appease the tears of our Lady is to meditate on her seven sorrows. They are Mary's sorrow:

1. At the Presentation and Simeon's prophecy

2. During the flight into Egypt

3. Having lost Jesus for three days

4. Meeting Jesus on the Via Dolorosa

5. Seeing Jesus crucified and die

6. Seeing Jesus' Sacred Heart pierced

7. Having to bury Jesus

The rosary of Our Lady of Tears may be used to pray the chaplet in honor of Mary's seven sorrows. Simply meditate on her sorrows, and pray on the beads as you would pray the rosary, i.e. Our Fathers followed by Hail Marys.

How to Pray the Rosary of Our Lady of Tears

The rosary transmitted to Sister Amalia by the Mother of God consists of forty-nine white beads, which is divided into seven parts by seven larger beads of the same color -- similar to the rosary of the seven sorrows of Mary. At the end, there are attached three more small beads and a medal of our dear Lady of Tears.

Through these instructions we are obviously directed to honor Mary our Mother on account of her sorrows, for which she shed many tears. The medal of our Lady of Tears is an essential part of the rosary, but it must be the way it was revealed to Sister Amalia by the Mother of God on April 30, 1930. In Germany, this medal is made with the specified inscription in all the European languages.

On the Medal to Jesus

O crucified Jesus, we fall at Your feet and offer You the tears of the one, who with deep compassionate love accompanied You on Your sorrowful way of the Cross. O good Master, grant that we take to heart the lessons which the tears of Your most holy Mother teach us, so that we may fulfill Your holy will on earth, that we may be worthy to praise and exalt You in Heaven for all eternity. Amen.

In Place of the Our Father

(and on the final three beads)

V. O Jesus, look upon the tears of the one who loved You most on earth,

R. And loves You most ardently in heaven.

In Place of the Hail Mary

V. O Jesus, listen to our prayers,

R. For the sake of the tears of your most Holy Mother.

On the Medal to Mary

O Mary, Mother of Love, Sorrow and mercy, we beseech you to unite your prayers with ours so that Jesus, your Divine Son, to whom we turn, may hear our petitions in the name of your maternal tears, and grant us, not only the favors we now ask, but the crown of everlasting life. Amen.


Imprimatur; Buchweiser, Gen. - Bit. Munchen, 22. Marz 1935
Taken from; www.starharbor.com, website. Catholic Devotions Web Page.

Why do Catholics Worship Idols?

I would like to again invite you to add to this and ask any questions you would like. Remain civil, keep it clean, and be nice. I would like you to post any sources that you use. I will use Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition to make my point. I will look to the early Fathers of the Church and the road map to what the Catholic Church actually believes, the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I hope as you read this you will see a new light on what the Church teaches.

To start this post, the Catechism teaches Catholics that, “The first commandment condemns polytheism. It requires man neither to believe in nor to venerate, other divinities than the one true God. Scripture constantly recalls this rejection of "idols, [of] silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see." These empty idols make their worshippers empty: "Those who make them are like them; so are all who trust in them." God, however, is the "living God" who gives life and intervenes in history.

Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, "You cannot serve God and mammon." Many martyrs died for not adoring "the Beast" refusing even to simulate such worship. Idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is, therefore, incompatible with communion with God.

Human life finds its unity in the adoration of the one God. The commandment to worship the Lord alone integrates man and saves him from an endless disintegration. Idolatry is a perversion of man's innate religious sense. An idolater is someone who "transfers his indestructible notion of God to anything other than God." (Catholic Church, 2000, 2112-2214).

Ok, now what does all of that mean to the average Catholic, and to the average non-Catholic. Let's start with the question of polytheism. As a Catholic, I have been taught in the church and through catechism teaching that we are to have only one God. We are never taught to “worship” a photo or statue. Yes, as a Catholic I have used a painting or statue to help me as I pray. I would liken this to a person looking at a photo album and recalling a cherished memory of a loved one. Is this person practicing ancestor worship? No, they are just being reminded of the good times they spent with a loved one. As a Catholic, I see that by looking at an image of the passion of Christ I am able to truly see and that I can start to understand the suffering that Jesus went through for me. By seeing images of the saints I have studied I can recall the events in their lives that I would want to imitate.

We have seen what the Church teaches about Idolatry and what the Catechism teaches. What does Holy Scripture say on the subject? I think we need to look at a few key passages that cover this area. I think the best place is in Exodus Chapter 20 verses 3-5, You shall not have other gods besides me. You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth; you shall not bow down before them or worship them. For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their fathers' wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation. This is very clear is it not? We are not to make an image and worship it as a god. God wants us to worship only him. If you are to read into exodus you find God letting Moses know that the people of Israel are making a graven image and are sinning against him. God Saw that his people still needed guidance. He even went as far as to have the Hebrew people perform sacrifices on the animals that the people of Egypt worshiped as gods. This was to show the Israelis that the gods of Egypt were impotent. So, does this forbid any icons or images for worship? If we are to “search the scriptures” (John 5:39) again we can find some things that might make you see this in a different light. We will start again in Exodus Make two cherubim of beaten gold for the two ends of the propitiatory, fastening them so that one cherub springs direct from each end. The cherubim shall have their wings spread out above, covering the propitiatory with them; they shall be turned toward each other, but with their faces looking toward the propitiatory (Ex 25:18-20). God is instructing the Hebrew people how to make Images. If we read on further, we see God tell Moses to make a bronze serpent (statue) and to instruct the people to look at the serpent if they are bitten and they will be healed (Num 21:8-9). They kept that statue until some tried to give it a name and worship it as a god named “Nehushtan” and at that time King Hezekiah (cf 2Kgs 18:4) had it destroyed (Catholic Answers 2006).

Now we see how God gave the Hebrews a tool to use to help them and once this was abused by the people there was someone to step up and destroy the problem. So, we can see that God has directed his followers to make icons or images. The problem starts when people try to make an image of God. How can we as people do if we have never seen God? We have seen or heard of the Holy Spirit as tongues of flame and descending as a dove. God came to earth as a man his name was Jesus. Men were able then to see God as man. So, when a Protestant has an image of a flame or a dove on their car does this make them an idolater? When a Christian kneels down to read the bible are they worshiping the Word, the bible? The answer to both of these is a resounding no. When a Catholic kneels to pray in front of an image of Jesus does this make him an idolater? Again, we hear a resounding NO.

To end this discussion I will invite you to go to Catholic Answers and read “Do Catholics Worship Statues?” This is a great resource. Catholic Answers can answer this question and more.

References

        Catholic Church. (2000). Catechism of the Catholic Church: revised in accordance with the official Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul II. United States Catholic Conference.

        Catholic Answers. (2006). The Essential Catholic Survival Guide. Catholic Answers.

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What is the Immaculate Conception if it is not when Mary conceived Jesus and why did the Church wait until 1854 to proclaim it a doctrine or Dogma? 2

I would like to continue the discussion on the Immaculate Conception with more from the early Church Fathers. I will also add more from scripture. As we look into what St Andrew of Crete said in both a sermon and a canon we see him calling Mary immaculate and sinless (Jurgens Vol. 3, 1970). We also can find St. Germain of Constantinople calling Mary the Immaculate Lady (Jurgens Vol. 3, 1970). So from the earliest times of the Church we find leaders calling Mary Immaculate. This can only be done through a special act of God. This act happened at the time of Mary’s conception. So can we find other areas in scripture where there may be proof that Mary was indeed sinless.

The best place to see one precast for Mary is in Exodus. We see the Ark of the Covenant and how it is to be built. In Exodus 25:11-21 we read “And thou shalt overlay it with the purest gold, within and without; and over it thou shalt make a golden crown round about: And four golden rings, which thou shalt put at the four corners of the ark: let two rings be on the one side, and two on the other. Thou shalt make bars also of setim wood, and shalt overlay them with gold. And thou shalt put them in through the rings that are in the sides of the ark, that it may be carried on them: And they shall be always in the rings, neither shall they at any time be drawn out of them. And thou shalt put in the ark the testimony which I will give thee. Thou shalt make also a propitiatory of the purest gold: the length thereof shall be two cubits and a half, and the breadth a cubit and a half. Thou shalt make also two cherubims of beaten gold, on the two sides of the oracle. Let one cherub be on the one side, and the other on the other. Let them cover both sides of the propitiatory, spreading their wings, and covering the oracle, and let them look one towards the other, their faces being turned towards the propitiatory wherewith the ark is to be covered. In which thou shalt put the testimony that I will give thee. Thence will I give orders, and will speak to thee over the propitiatory, and from the midst of the two cherubims, which shall be upon the ark of the testimony, all things which I will command the children of Israel by thee. Thou shalt make a table also of setim wood, of two cubits in length, and a cubit in breadth, and a cubit and a half in height.” Only the purest gold was to be used. If God was so particular about what was going to carry his word written on stone think how much more he would want to have of His Word in flesh.
We also look at some of the common arguments against the Immaculate Conception. The first is from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans 3:23 here we read the “all have sinned and are deprived Gods glory”. This is address by looking at what is meant by St Paul when he says “all”. If we are to that this literally we will have to include children under the age of reason and Adam and Eve before the fall. We then must also include Jesus in this. If God has allowed exceptions to this why could he not have included Mary in the exceptions (Keating, 1988). We could also address St Luke’s Gospel where we find Mary saying “My spirit rejoices in God my savior” LK 1:47. Catholics never state that Mary never needed a savior. We just believe that God (Jesus) gave her a special grave at the time of her conception therefore saving her at that time (Chacon & Burnham, 2003).
Again I ask if you have any questions to please ask. If you would like to comment please do so. I will try to address these as I am able. Thank you for reading and God Bless you.





Resources

Chacon, Fr. F., & Burnham, J. (2003). Beginning Apologetics 6; How to Explain and Defend Mary. Farmington, NM. San Juan Seminars.

Holweck, F. (1910). Immaculate Conception. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved April 12, 2009 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07674d.htm

Jurgens, W.A. (1970). The Faith of the Early Fathers Volume 1. MN: The Liturgical Press.

Jurgens, W.A. (1970). The Faith of the Early Fathers Volume 2. MN: The Liturgical Press.

Jurgens, W.A. (1970). The Faith of the Early Fathers Volume 3. MN: The Liturgical Press.

Keating K. (1988). Catholicism and Fundamentalism; The Attack on “Romanism” by “Bible Christians”. San Francisco, CA. Ignatius Press.

Marians of the Immaculate Conception. (2008). The Blue Scapular and the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception. National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, Stockbridge, MA.

The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows

The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows
This rosary recalls the seven major sorrows that the Virgin Mary suffered through—albeit with love and compassion—during the life, trials, and agonizing death of her son, Jesus Christ. It's very special to the immaculate heart of the Blessed Mother, and she wants all of us to say it as often as possible.
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!
* * *
The following is a description of this amazing rosary as the Virgin Mother herself taught it to Marie-Claire in Kibeho. It may be prayed aloud or contemplated silently, alone or with others; the key is for the prayers, reflections, and meditations to always come from the depths of your heart.
I speak from experience when I promise that you’ll never regret learning this wonderful rosary and that you’ll soon lose track of the countless blessings that praying it will bring into your life. It’s my hope that more people than ever before will learn just how amazing this rosary is.
Please note that you don’t necessarily need any special beads to say these prayers; just follow the diagram and instructions below. (It is, however, important that when you reach each sorrowful mystery, you take a moment to meditate on the magnitude of Mary’s suffering … and the strength of her love.)

1. On the large medal at the bottom of the rosary:
a. Make the sign of the cross.b. Say the Introductory Prayer. c. Say the Act of Contrition.
2. For each of the next three beads, say a Hail Mary.
3. On the first small medal:
a. Say the prayer, "Most merciful mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your son, Jesus." b. Meditate upon the First Sorrowful Mystery. c. Say the Lord’s Prayer.
4. For each of the next seven beads, say a Hail Mary.
5. On the second small medal:
a. Say the prayer, "Most merciful mother" b. Meditate upon the Second Sorrowful Mystery. c. Say the Lord’s Prayer.
6. For each of the next seven beads, say a Hail Mary.
7. On the third small medal:
a. Say the prayer, "Most merciful mother" b. Meditate upon the Third Sorrowful Mystery. c. Say the Lord’s Prayer.
8. For each of the next seven beads, say a Hail Mary.
9. On the fourth small medal:
a. Say the prayer, "Most merciful mother" b. Meditate upon the Fourth Sorrowful Mystery. c. Say the Lord’s Prayer.
10. For each of the next seven beads, say a Hail Mary.
11. On the fifth small medal:
a. Say the prayer, "Most merciful mother" b. Meditate upon the Fifth Sorrowful Mystery. c. Say the Lord’s Prayer.
12. For each of the next seven beads, say a Hail Mary.
13. On the sixth small medal:
a. Say the prayer, "Most merciful mother" b. Meditate upon the Sixth Sorrowful Mystery. c. Say the Lord’s Prayer.
14. For each of the next seven beads, say a Hail Mary.
15. On the seventh small medal:
a. Say the prayer, "Most merciful mother" b. Meditate upon the Seventh Sorrowful Mystery. c. Say the Lord’s Prayer.
16. For each of the next seven beads, say a Hail Mary.
17. Upon reaching the large medal at the bottom of the rosary:
a. Say the prayer, "Most merciful mother" b. Say the Concluding Prayer. c. Say three times: "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!

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.

1. The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Prophecy of Simeon (Lk 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.

2. The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Flight into Egypt (Mt 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.

3. The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Loss of Jesus in the Temple (Lk 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.

4. The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary (Lk 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.

5. The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: Mary Stands at the Foot of the Cross (Jn 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.

6. The Sixth Sorrowful Mystery: Mary Receives the Dead Body of Jesus in Her Arms (Jn 19:38-40)
The friends of Jesus, Joseph and Nicodemus, took down his body from the cross and placed it in the outstretched arms of the Blessed Virgin. Then Mary washed it with deep respect and love because she was his mother. She knew better than anyone else that he was God incarnate who’d taken a human body to become the Savior of all people.
Mary could see the terrifying wounds from the flogging Jesus had received while at Pilate’s. His flesh had been shredded and large strips had been torn from his back. His entire body had been so lacerated that gaping wounds crisscrossed him from head to toe. Mary found that the wounds from the nails were less severe than those caused by the flogging and by carrying the cross. She was horrified at the thought that her son had managed to carry the heavy, splintered cross all the way to Calvary. She saw the circle of blood the crown of thorns had made on his forehead and, to her horror, realized that many of the barbed thorns had dug so deeply into his skull they had penetrated his brain. Looking at her broken boy, the Holy Mother knew that his agonizing death was far worse than the torture reserved for the wickedest of criminals. As she cleaned his damaged body she envisioned him during each stage of his short life, remembering her first look at his beautiful newborn face as they lay in the manger, and every day in between, until this heartrending moment as she gently bathed his lifeless body. Her anguish was relentless as she prepared her son and Lord for burial, but she remained brave and strong, becoming the true Queen of Martyrs. As she washed her son she prayed that everybody would know the riches of paradise and enter the gates of heaven. She prayed for every soul in the world to embrace God’s love, so her son’s torturous death would benefit all humankind and not have been in vain. Mary prayed for the world; she prayed for all of us.

Prayer: We thank you, Beloved Mother, for your courage as you stood beneath your dying child to comfort him on the cross. As our Savior drew his last breath, you became a wonderful mother to all of us; you became the Blessed Mother of the world. We know that you love us more than our own earthly parents do. We implore you to be our advocate before the throne of mercy and grace so that we can truly become your children. We thank you for Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer, and we thank Jesus for giving you to us. Please pray for us, Mother.

7. The Seventh Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus Is Placed in the Tomb (Jn 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.

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

Retrived From Mother of All Peoples Web site: http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/articles/marian-devotion/the-rosary-of-the-seven-sorrows.html

Are your beliefs found in the bible?

The fast answer to this is a resounding yes! But we are not looking for the fast answer are we. We want to see where in the bible our beliefs are. This is a difficult topic to cover because there are so many beliefs that need to be covered. I will be adding to this post as time goes on. Please look over it from time to time to see and additions you may have missed. Also, if you have any questions please post them so I way address them for you. For this we can turn to scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church for all the answers we need. You are going to say I don’t believe that a book written by the Catholic Church has the authority to or ability to change my understanding of what the Church believes. I want to use the Catechism as a reference point show the Church actually teaches. The Catechism is simply a book of reference for Catholics or anyone that matter to see in writing what the Church actually teaches of any given subject.

I feel the best place to start with the beliefs of The Catholic Church is to start with the creed. We use two different creeds the first being the Apostles’ Creed and the second being the Nicene Creed.

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. AMEN.

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, The Father, the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.We believe in the Holy Spirit, the lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Profits. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen