FIRST DAY

La Virgen Dolorosa and the Philippines

Opening Prayer

Remember, O Virgin Mary, most sorrowful of the afflicted daughters of Eve, that from
all ages it has never been known that anyone imploring your assistance failed to gain your
compassion and protection. Animated with the confidence which this inspires, I come to you, O
Queen of Martyrs and Virgin Mother, as a contrite sinner, weeping and imploring your help. Do
not, O Mother of Jesus crucified, despise my suppliant voice, but hear and grant my petition.
Amen.

Dolorosa has entered into the heart of this Catholic nation. Dolorosa has captured the
affection of countless men and women throughout this archipelago. Dolorosa has found a
receptive sanctuary in the lives of zealous Catholic men and women wherever the name of Mary
is held in benediction.

The Philippines has done well by the Mother of God. The Philippines seems, in one
sense, to have especially centered its affection upon the Sorrows of the Virgin. And, as we look
about us, we catch the significance of this loyalty. We sense the reverence and deep love for the
sorrows of the Mother of God as though this phase of the Virgin’s life would make deep impress
upon our own lives.

Mary suffered much in her seven sorrows. She went through agonies in payment for the
honor she had received for being the Mother of God. And, this fact seems especially appreciated
in this country.

Naturally, we ask ourselves how deep is our affection for the afflicted Mother of the
Divine Child. We question ourselves and ask what recompense we are making to bring into even
greater prominence this devotion to the Dolorosa. And, we might well reflect upon our own
attitude toward the Virgin Dolorosa who has been a Mother to all of us, who has watched over
this country with special solicitude, who has ever been a Mother to her children of the Faith for
which Christ died.

REFLECTION

1. Do you try to make know to your companions that fact that this country is dedicated to
the Virgin Mary?
 2. Do you pray to the Dolorosa to help in necessities, in your times of trial and temptation,
in the dangerous moments when success may be your reward, a success, however, that
often makes people proud and inclined to forget their duties as Catholics?

PRAYER

Mother of Sorrows, look down with tender pity upon this country, especially dedicated to
you. Obtain for us the grace to be faithful to the Catholic religion which is our priceless heritage.
Bless our leaders and those to whom is committed the well-being of our country. Given them the
grace they need to carry on their work, according to the principles of Christ’s Church. Bless the
Church with an abundant harvest of souls, and raise up children who may be your worthy
followers and the first apostles. Keep us from harm of body and especially of soul so that we
may continue to enjoy the inestimable privilege of the Catholic Faith in this country that they
may ever be peaceful, prosperous, and worthy of being under your protection.

Litany of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven,

Have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,

Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit,

Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God,

 Have mercy on us.

⃰ Pray for us.

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did find no room in the inn,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who was forced to take refuge in a stable,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did lay your Firstborn in a manger,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did witness the circumcision of your Son,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did hear that your Son was set as a sign that should be contradicted,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did hear that your own soul should be pierced with a sword,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did fly into Egypt with your son,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did grieves for the murder of the innocents,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who for three days did, sorrowing, sought your Son, lost in the Temple when he was
twelve years old,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did note the constant hatred of the Jews against Him,
Mother of Sorrows,

Who on the day of the Last Supper did bid farewell to your Son going to Jerusalem to
die,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did learn that he was betrayed by Judas, and led away captive,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did see him delivered up as a criminal by the chief priest.

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did hear that he was falsely accused,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did learn how his Blessed Face was struck,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did learn that he was most cruelly treated by Jews and the soldiers,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did hear your Son rejected for Barabbas,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did behold him beaten with scourges and crowned with thorns,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did hear the sentence pronounced against him,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did go to meet your Son loaded with the Cross,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did see his Blessed Hands and Feet pierced with nails,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did receive the last words of Jesus upon the Cross,
Mother of Sorrows,

Who did stand by him in his agony,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who did receive into your bosom the lifeless body of your Son taken down from the
Cross,

Mother of Sorrows,

Who after the Body of Jesus was buried, did return home all sad and desolate,

O Queen of Martyrs,

O Strength of the weak,

O Refuge of sinners,

O Comfort of the afflicted,

⃰Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.

Through the most bitter passion and death of your Son,

Through the most moving sorrow of your heart,

Through your most exceeding sadness and desolation,

⃰Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.

Through your extreme anguish,

Through your sighs and tears,

Through your maternal compassion,

Through your most powerful patronage,

From immoderate sadness,

From a faint-hearted spirit,

From the snares of the devil,

From every occasion and danger of sin

From hardness of heart,

From impenitence,

From sudden and unprovided death,

From eternaldamnation,

We sinners, implore you hear us.

That you would grant to preserve us by your patronage in true faith, hope, and charity,

We implore you, hear us.

That you would grant to obtain for us perfect sorrow and repentance for our sins,

We implore you, hear us.

That you would grant to bring consolation and assistance to those who call upon you,

We implore you, hear us.

That you grant to help us in our agony of death,

We implore you, hear us.

That you would grant to obtain for us a happy death,

We implore you, hear us.

Mother of God,

We implore you, hear us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us, O Lord.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Chris, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us

V. In all our tribulations and afflictions,

R. Help us, O Virgin Mary.

Let Us Pray

Imprint, O afflicted Mother, on my repentant heart, your Seven Sorrows, and the five bleeding
wounds which your dear Son bore, that I may experience repentance and true love; repentance
to endure for Jesus and for your every sorrows; love to despise every other for his sake and for
yours. Live crucified Jesus and heartbroken Mary, for ever and ever. Through the same Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

Recite three Hail Mary’s for the intention you have in this Novena.