"Devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady has its roots in Sacred Scripture and in Christian piety, which always associates the Blessed Mother with her suffering Son. The feast was introduced by the Servites in order
to intensify devotion to Our Lady's Sorrows.
In 1817 Pius VII — suffering grievously in exile but finally liberated by Mary's intercession — extended the feast to the universal Church."

Holy Father's Intentions for the Month

General: That in less developed parts of the world the proclamation of the Word of God may renew people’s hearts, encouraging them to work actively toward authentic social progress.

Missionary: That by opening our hearts to love we may put an end to the numerous wars and conflicts which continue to bloody our world.