Devotions that incite holy sorrow

[GloriousOrder]

Friends ,

I find that the greatest power in my emerging prayer-life is a melancholy consideration of sorrowful subjects. The Lord has blessed me with a strong imagination, and tears come easily when contemplating sorrowful things. It is a sorrow at my sin, the sin of the world of which I am a part, and what you might call ‘melancholy joy’ at seeing what He has done for us in our afflictions.

Thinking on the pains suffered by our Lord always makes me feel weak, but a weakness of warmth, childlike innocence, and faith. It is like sitting before a full hearth on a foggy evening in a dense city. You are oppressed by the weight of hot humidity, and yet light a hotter fire because it is dry and comforting against the dew. The descending dew of my melancholic personality can be defeated by the Lord, but only using what I am.

Are there any devotions, prayers, and litanies that are specifically sorrowful in character? I am speaking of these as distinct from glorious, joyful, happy, beautiful, etc. devotions. You might define any devotion as potentially sorrowful or joyful, of course, but you know what I mean. Obviously the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary come up, but any other private devotions that are very meaningful to you?

 

[slalyew]

I would recommend the ‘15 Prayers of St Bridget’. I discovered these in my Pieta prayer book.
I can’t remember the exact history of them, but I think they were revealed to St Bridget while she prayed in front of a crucifix to know more details of the Lord’s crucifixion.
Here is a link: 7dolors.com/15stbridgetprayers.htm

God Bless!

 

[His_little1]

I would recommend the St. Bridget 1 yr prayer and 12 yr prayers, as well as, the 7 Sorrows (or Dolors) of Mary, the Blessed Mother. You could also reflect on the prayers of the Way of the Cross. The 1 Yr. prayer reflects, by 15 prayers, on the Passion of Jesus up to His death. The 12 Yr. prayers reflect on the 7 times Jesus shed His precious blood. The 7 Sorrows reflects on the 7 times Mary’s heart was pierced with the sword of sorrow throughout Jesus’ life and death.

You may be able to find some on Youtube. There is also an iPieta app for the iPhone/iPod that is very nice. I am particularly devoted to the wounds of Christ and His suffering for our sake. (Find the Prayer of the Wound on Christ’s shoulder.)

I would also suggest in private prayer, that you focus your love, and devotion towards Jesus at the moments He suffered: at the death of Lazarus, in the dessert, in the garden, on the Way of the Cross, throughout His Passion, and offer Him the comfort of your soul presence there with Him in prayer. Just as He is there for you during your rough times.

Peace.

 

[kentuckyliz]

You know, I like this stuff, too. It’s not popular or PC–people seem to want the happy-slappy-clappy stuff.

I have a lovely new chaplet for the holy souls (or single decade rosary) and the Medal of the Sorrowful Mother on it is amazingly gorgeous–I’ve never seen this one before. There’s even a little tear coming out of her eye. Just got it from Marytown in Libertyville IL.

I think engaging deeply with the sorrowful, makes the joy and the glory more intense. Those who go into the sorrows voluntarily are prayer Marines. it must be a great consolation to the Two Hearts to be present with them to share their grief.

 

[myangelmarc]

I am also very devoted to the Wounds and the shedding of the Precious Blood of Our Lord and have been for years. Besides the devotions listed in the preivous posts, I suggest 2 books that may be helpful to you. “The School of Jesus Crucified” by Fr. Ignatius of the Side of Jesus, Passionist. This has meditations for each day of the month plus many, many more helpful meditations. The other book is “The Way of Divine Love” by Sr. Josefa Menendez. This is about the relevations Jesus gave Sr. Josefa regarding His sufferings, etc. Both of these books have the Nihil obstat and the Imprimatur. I have seen them on Amazon.com and Spiritdaily.com. They have been so very helpful to me over the years. I hope this helps you.