The Rosary of the Seven Dolores of Mary: the devotion of Kibeho

Kibeho · Rwanda · Devotion taught by the Virgin Mary in 1982

The Rosary of the Seven Dolores of Mary is a Marian devotion that the Virgin Mary taught to the seer Marie Claire Mukangango during the apparitions of Kibeho (Rwanda) on March 6, 1982. The Virgin entrusted her with the mission of spreading this rosary throughout the world, promising that those who pray by meditating on it will find "the strength to repent" and get the favor of repentance along with other graces. This devotion has spread from Rwanda throughout Africa and the world.

The teaching of the Virgin

On March 6, 1982, during one of the apparitions at the Catholic College of Kibeho, the Virgin Mary taught Marie Claire Mukangango the Rosary of the Seven Dolores. Marie Claire, who had initially ridiculed Alphonsine Mumureke for his visions, was the third seer to experience the apparitions. The Virgin explained to her that this rosary was a powerful means of conversion and entrusted her with the mission of spreading it.

On May 31, 1982, the Virgin gave Marie Claire more detailed revelations about the Rosary of the Seven Dolores and the graces associated with it. The Virgin promised that anyone who recites this rosary by meditating with devotion will receive the grace of repentance, the strength to persevere in good and the comfort in suffering.

The seven meditated pains

The Rosary of the Seven Dolores of Mary meditates on seven episodes of the suffering of the Virgin:

1. The prophecy of Simeon - When the old Simeon prophesied to Mary, "A sword will pass through your own soul" (Lk 2: 35).
2. The Escape to Egypt - When Joseph, Mary and the Child Jesus had to flee to Egypt to escape the persecution of Herod (Mt 2: 13-15).
3. The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple - When Mary and Joseph lost the Child Jesus for three days and found him teaching in the Temple (Lk 2,41-50).
4. The encounter with Jesus on the way to Calvary - When Mary met her Son carrying the cross on her way to Calvary.
5. The crucifixion of Jesus - When Mary saw the crucifixion and death of her Son on the cross (Jn 19: 25-27).
6. The descent of the Cross - When Mary received in her arms the inanimate body of Jesus.
7. La sepultura de Jesús - When Mary participated in her Son's grave.

The structure of the rosary

The Rosary of the Seven Dolores is prayed with a special rosary of seven groups of seven accounts, with a central account between each group. In each group of seven accounts a Hail Mary is prayed by meditating on the corresponding pain. Among each group is a "Our Father." The rosary begins and ends with three Hail Maries in honor of the tears of the Virgin.

Global outreach

Following the approval of Kibeho's apparitions in 2001, the Rosary of the Seven Dolores has spread from Rwanda to all over the world. The Catholic communities of Africa, America, Europe and Asia have adopted this devotion, and the Kibeho Sanctuary actively promotes its dissemination. Devotion is especially popular in French-speaking communities and in African countries, where the memory of Kibeho's apparitions has a profound meaning.