Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary Feast of

Seven Dolors Of The Blessed Virgin Mary Feast Of a modern festival of the Roman Catholic Church, which, although bearing the name of devotion to the Virgin Mary, in reality regards those incidents in the life and passion of Christ with which his mother is most closely associated. This festival is celebrated on the Friday preceding Palm Sunday (q.v.)., The "Dolors," or sorrows, of the Blessed Virgin, have long been a favorite theme of Roman Catholic devotion, of which the pathetic Stabat Mater Dolorosa is the best known and most popular expression; and the festival of the Seven Dolors is intended to individualize the incidents of her sorrows, and to present them for meditation. The seven incidents referred to under the title of "Dolors" are: 1. The prediction of Simeon (Lu 2:34); 2. The flight into Egypt; 3. The loss of Jesus in Jerusalem; 4. The sight of Jesus bearing his cross towards Calvary; 5. The sight of Jesus upon the cross; 6. The piercing of his side with the lance; 7. His burial. This festival was instituted by pope Benedict XIII in 1725.