Reflections on the Seven Sorrows Rosary
A Prayer for Peace in the Middle East
After prayerful recollection, I offer the following Seven Sorrows Rosary prayer intentions
Timothy Duff, STM, MA Cert., ERD , BCC Guardian/Co-Founder
Opening Prayer: Crucified Jesus we pray at your feet and offer you the tears of Our Lady who loved you most on earth and who loves you most ardently in heaven. We ask you to hear our prayers for your suffering children in the Middle East and we ask for Peace and Protection. Amen!
(prayers adapted from the Rosary of Our Lady's Tears)
1. Prophecy of Simeon- (Fear of the Lord)
"And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this Child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and a sign that will be contradicted; and you yourself a sword will pierce, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (Luke II: 34-35).
Our Prayer Intention
We pray for both the people of Palestine and the people of Israel. We ask that through the prayers of Our Lady's Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, that the conflict end as soon as possible and that She usher in an Era of Peace for the world.
Oh Jesus! Hear our prayers for the sake of your most holy mother's tears
2. The Flight Into Egypt- (Piety)
When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,* and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Matthew II: 13-14 )
Our Prayer Intention
We pray for the Palestinian people along the Gaza Strip who are held hostage in their homes or who have been captured. We ask Our Merciful Savior to be with them. We ask that those who are trying to escape to Egypt be let into the country somehow and that they find a safe haven protected by Mary's Mantle.
Oh Jesus! Hear our prayers for the sake of your most holy mother's tears
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in Jerusalem- (Fortitude)
Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. (Luke II: 41- 45).
Our Prayer Intention
We pray for the Jewish people in Israel. We ask that their leaders find Wisdom from God the Father in making the right decisions for their country. We ask for Mary's protection over the whole land, especially the holy city of Jerusalem.
Oh Jesus! Hear our prayers for the sake of your most holy mother's tears
4. Mary Meets Jesus Face to Face Carrying the Cross- (Council)
A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, (Luke XXIII: 27, 28).
Our Prayer Intention
We ask that Mary turn her compassionate gaze upon the peoples of the Middle East. We ask for conversion of hearts that they see the dignity of each human person created by God. May Mary known as "Fatima" (Mohammad's daughter) be the cause of a renewed Peace throughout the entire Middle East.
Oh Jesus! Hear our prayers for the sake of your most holy mother's tears
5. The Crucifixion –(Knowledge)
There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (John XIX: l8, 25-27).
Our Prayer Intention
Merciful Savior, Mary stood under the cross and willingly offered herself as part of your redemptive work. Look at Her now and hear Her prayers for the People in the Middle East. May they be showered with grace by Her Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. We ask for your Merciful Redemption for all of the peoples of the Middle East. May Peace Happen Now!
Oh Jesus! Hear our prayers for the sake of your most holy mother's tears
6. Jesus’ Side is Pierced with a Lance and His Body is Taken Down and Placed in the Arms of Mary- (Wisdom)
When it was already evening, since it was the day of preparation, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was amazed that he was already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had already died. And when he learned of it from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. (Mark XV: 42-45)
Our Prayer Intention
We pray for anyone who was injured or mamed as a result of the violence in the recent Middle East attacks. May they receive healing of thier body, mind and soul from the intercession of Mother Mary. We ask Her under the title of "Comforter of the Afflicted" to assist them in all of their needs.
Oh Jesus! Hear our prayers for the sake of your most holy mother's tears
7. Jesus’ Body is Placed in the Sepulcher – (Understanding)
Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by. (John XIX: 39-42)
Our Prayer Intention
We pray for the eternal rest of those souls killed by the atrocity in the MIddle East. Our heart goes out to the families of those lost as we ask Mother Mary to pray for their healing during this time of grief. May they receive the proper dignified burial that is fitting for a human being.
Oh Jesus! Hear our prayers for the sake of your most holy mother's tears
picture credits:
top image: gettyimages.com | License details
Creator: FrankRamspott | Credit: Getty Images, Copyright: © Frank Ramspott, all rights reserved
image 2: The Washington Post
image 3: NPR
image 4: Britannica