The Rosary of the Mater Dolorosa

September 15 is a special day for Miles Christi: the feast of the Mater Dolorosa—Our Lady of Sorrows. Considering the many graces that Miles Christi has received from our Lord through the mediation of the Mater Dolorosa, how can we fail to feel sincerely grateful to her? A practical way of returning love for love is the fervent recitation of the Rosary of our Lady of Sorrows.

On October 27, 1997, Miles Christi obtained from the Holy See the singular privilege of gaining special indulgences for praying the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is an additional reason for spiritual joy and thanksgiving to the mercy of God and to the Holy Father Pope St. John Paul II!

According to the current norms of the Church, praying the Rosary of Loreto, the most widespread form of the Rosary, earns a Plenary Indulgence “if the Rosary is recited in a church or public oratory or in a family group, a religious community, or pious association” (Enchiridion of Indulgences, no. 48). The same source goes on to say that “the recitation of each decade is accompanied by pious meditation on a particular mystery of the Redemption.” In our Order, in addition to this Rosary, on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays we pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin, which is also rooted in the tradition of the Church.

Through the grace of God, we were granted the favor that the Rosary of the Mater Dolorosa be endowed for us with the same indulgences as those enjoyed by the Rosary of Loreto. The privilege (Prot. #100/97/I), translated from the Latin, says: “The Apostolic Penitentiary, on the recommendation of His Excellency Carlos Galán, Archbishop of La Plata, and through the special mandate of the Holy Pontiff John Paul II, grants to the members of the said Order, as well as to all the faithful united with them through some canonical bond, or simply through a spiritual tie, that, whenever they recite the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, they receive, under the same norms and conditions, the Indulgences that were given to the recitation of the Holy Rosary according to Norm no. 48 of the Enchiridion of Indulgences. This document will be valid in perpetuity; notwithstanding anything to the contrary. Given in Rome, in the Apostolic Penitentiary, on 27/10/97. (Signed: Msgr. Luis De Magistris, Regent).”

In perpetuity: How good Holy Mother Church is to her smallest children, like those of us in Miles Christi! This is a most welcome spiritual benefit that the Holy See has granted to us! And, with great joy, we make it known to others in order to obtain the greatest possible benefit. Please note that the Indulgence is not limited to the religious of our Order, but extends also to all those who are in some way nourished by our spirituality, and are in contact with us. The Apostolic See blesses all of us with this true privilege, which is also a way to promote the Psalter of the Mater Dolorosa, and spread a Marian devotion specific to our Order.

We invite you to pray the Rosary of the Mater Dolorosa, which by this gift of the Church enjoys a plenary indulgence applicable to friends like you. Do not fail to unite yourself to the sorrows of our Mother, sorrows which aid in the salvation of the world, and which are therefore the cause of our joy.