Below is an image selector (slide show) of the 7 Dolors of Mary, the Mother of God. It is a meditation you and your family could use for prayer and holy reflection. The default image is Our Lady of Sorrows and the second selection is the first Dolar - The Prophecy of Simeon. Click on a selection in the list box to see the corresponding image.
Click here to see information and history of the devotion
The meditations below correspond with the 7 dolars presented in the slide show above. Pray each meditation while looking at the picture that goes with that particular dolar. The Information and History link above displays a window explaining some history and information regarding the Dolar Rosary (Excerpts taken from Roses and Thorns by Ven. Concepcion Cabrera de Armida (Conchita).
PROPHECY OF SIMEON
“…there was a thorn for me in the words of Simeon, which embittered my soul for life; sorrow without a name, hearing that Jesus was destined as the ruin and resurrection of many in Israel, and to be a sign of contradiction. Simeon said, ‘This child is destined for the ruin and the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign of contradiction.’ Then he continued immediately, prophesying, ‘And a sword shall pierce your own soul.’ What sword? To see my children wander down the slope of vice, scorning the Gospel. Stay and see if there is a greater sorrow for a mother than the eternal misfortune of her children.
Mary’s FIAT began the great trial of Redemption. The Divine Will that Adam and Eve lost would once again be a promised reality through the lives of Jesus and Mary, the new Adam and Eve. Our Father and 7 Hail Mary’s.
“With what sorrow I recall the night of terror in which an angel told my spouse Joseph that we must flee into Egypt with the Child because Herod sought to kill Him. It was not Herod who obliged the Son of God to flee, but the son of God who wished to do this. He did not flee out of fear, but by design; not out of need, but of power. There He was to seek out sorrow for the continuance of His path to Calvary in a burning desert, through a pagan land, by suffering the hardships of the long road in bad weather, by living in even greater poverty, exiled and without liberty, hiding Himself from men for your salvation.” “My soul was crushed by the pain of what He was to suffer…” “The echo of the wailing mothers whose children were sacrificed to save the life of the Savior – those innocent flowers, the first of the martyrs – reached me; my soul was drowned in sorrow…
”We are on a difficult journey in life. Will we be as strong and resourceful as Mary and Joseph on their journey? Their haven was Egypt and our haven in Jesus and Mary who leads into the haven of the Divine Will.
“What my heart endured at that time no one can conceive. Can you even imagine Mary without her Jesus, the Virgin Mother without her divine son, the immaculate sheep without her holy Lamb who takes away the sins of the world? Finally, after three deathly days for my heart, we found Him in the Temple among the doctors who looked upon Him, overwhelmed with His wisdom.” “I humbled myself although I had no fault. Night and day I wept and sacrificed myself until I found Him. You must do the same.”
We do lose Jesus by our sins. Are we determined to find Him? To prevent becoming lost in our human wills Jesus is offering each of us the safety and sanctity of the Divine Will. We also must be determined to be with Jesus.
MARY MEETS JESUS ON THE WAY TO CALVARY TO DIE
“With a glance of my soul, I followed Jesus as He left the house of Herod, in the white robe of a fool, the people hissing and howling with furious delight. I saw Him as a criminal in the presence of Pilate…” “I followed Him to the scourging, and, O child of my soul! I did not die only because I had to be your mother. O barbarous torment, which I will never forget!” “Then I saw Him bearing the cross.” “I saw how He spoke to the women who wept for Him with so much love.”
Mary, we seek pardon for all the sorrow and pain we caused you and your Redeemer son. Pray for us! Teach and guide us into the Light of the Divine Will as we consecrate our whole being to your Immaculate Heart.
JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS
“And among the throng of people and the crosses and the thieves who accompanied the innocent Lamb, I saw Him mount the hill of Calvary, staggering, and I saw Him extend Himself upon the cross in order to be nailed to it, so that He might attract you to Him when He was raised on high. Each hammer beat opened a deep wound in my heart.” “I saw how they nailed His purest hands, which knew only how to bless, and His sacred feet, which became fatigued in seeking you. Then I heard those last words of life, of pardon, of mercy. “During the three hours of torment I saw Him agonizing, and at the end, my child, dying without any support other than the cross, the nails, and the thorns.”
MARY RECEIVES THE DEAD BODY OF JESUS IN HER ARMS
“The next farewell was when the stone closed the holy sepulcher and one body and two hearts remained in it: that of Jesus and mine; or, only one, so great a unity had we known! What terrible sorrow, comprehensible only to a mother! And I remained alone, alone; because everything was as nothing for me without Jesus.”
It was because of Mary’s FIAT and the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross that opened the gates of Heaven to us enabling all to seek life in the Divine Will.