Seven sorrows of Mary/‘IHS’

Q What are the Seven Sorrows of Mary?

A In the 14th century, St. Bridget of Sweden started a devotion to Mary.  This devotion consisted of praying seven Hail Marys while meditating on the Seven Sorrows of Mary (also known as the Seven Dolors):

The Prophecy of Simeon – Mary is told that a sword would pierce her soul.

The Flight into Egypt – Mary and Joseph had to flee their homeland to protect Jesus from Herod.

The Loss of Jesus for Three Days – One of the worst nightmares, losing your child.

The Carrying of the Cross – What agony it must have been for Mary to see her son whipped, kicked and pushed along to his crucifixion.

The Crucifixion of Jesus – The sword that Simeon predicted pierced her soul.

Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross – Mary Magdalene and others could not stop Mary from crying when they placed his beaten and bloodied body in her arms.

Jesus is Laid in the Tomb – Mary’s final farewell to her beloved son.

There is even a special rosary, or chaplet, that you can use to pray the Seven Sorrows of Mary.  It consists of seven sets of seven beads for Hail Marys (a septet).  Each set is separated by a medal or a bead for an Our Father.  Each septet of Hail Marys is followed with a brief invocation to Our Lady of Sorrows (such as: “Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us”), or a Glory Be.

In the 15th century, the Franciscans started a devotion to Mary as a counterpart to the Seven Sorrows of Mary — the Franciscan Crown, or the rosary of the seven joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

Annunciation – Mary joyfully said “yes” to be the mother of God.

Visitation – St. Elizabeth joyfully greets Mary as the “mother of my Lord.”

Nativity of Jesus – What a joy it must have been for Mary to give birth to our savior.

Adoration of the Magi – What a joy it must have been to see three kings pay homage to her son.

Finding of Jesus in the Temple – What a relief it must have been to find Jesus in the temple after three days of searching for him.

Resurrection of Jesus – Mary’s sorrow is turned into joy when she sees her son after his resurrection.

Assumption of Mary (and/or the Coronation of the Virgin Mary in Heaven) – Finally, reunited with her son in heaven.

Q On some priests’ vestments I have the three letters “IHS” or “JHS.”  What do these letters mean?

A Despite what some people believe, IHS does not mean “I have suffered.”  IHS or JHS are acronyms, or Christograms, representing the first three letters of Jesus’ name in Greek.  “Jesus” in Greek is “ΙΗΣΟΥΣ,” so “IHΣ” represents Jesus’ name.  Ancient Christian communities first used only two letters to identify Jesus, “IH.”  Sometime in the third century the third letter, sigma (Σ), was added.  In the Latin alphabet sigma (Σ) is “S.” Hence, IHΣ became IHS.  Also, in English, “J” is used instead of “I,” hence JHS also represents the name of Jesus.

In early Christianity, IHS was used as a secret symbol or code on tombs, indicating that a Christian was buried in the tomb.  According to the Catholic Encyclopedia: “The monogram became more popular after the 12th century when St. Bernard insisted much on devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, and the 14th century when the founder of the Jesuati, Blessed John Colombini, usually wore it on his breast.  (Note: the Jesuati was a religious order devoted to penance and charity with a special devotion to St. Jerome.)

IHS became the accepted iconographical characteristic of St. Vincent Ferrer and of St. Bernardine of Siena. St. Ignatius of Loyola adopted the monogram in his seal as general of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), and thus it became the emblem of his institute. IHS was sometimes wrongly understood as “Jesus Hominum (or Hierosolymae) Salvator,” or “Jesus, the savior of men.”

Besides being displayed on some of the priest’s vestments, IHS or JHS might also be seen engraved on some altars, inscribed on some eucharistic hosts and featured in stained glass windows.  

Deacon Hooper is a deacon assistant at Immaculate Conception Church in Denham Springs. He can be reached at ghooper@diobr.org.