History:
This devotion to Our Sorrowful Mother originated in the Thirteenth century by the Order of Friar Servants of Mary.  It recalls the Sorrows the Virgin Mother of God endured in compassion for the suffering and death of her Divine Son.  It consists of seven groups of seven beads each with an additional three beads on the drop (fifty-two in total), seven medals each depicting one of the Sorrows and a Mater Dolorosa medal.

On the Medal:  Say an Act of Contrition

O, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, behold me before Your divine presence, all in confusion at the thought of the many grievous injuries I have done You.  I ask Pardon for them with my whole heart, repenting of them for love of you, hating them above every other evil and ready to lose my life rather than offend You again.  And do you, most tender Virgin, mother of mercy and refuge of sinners, obtain for me the pardon of all my sins by virtue of your bitter pains and help me to so pray as to gain the indulgences attached to this, your most Holy Rosary.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of our faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your divine love.  Send forth your spirit and they shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Enlighten our minds, we beseech you, O Lord, with the light of Your brightness that we might see what we ought to do and be able to do what is right, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

The First Sorrow:  The Prophecy Of Simeon (On the rosary center)
Let us meditate on the first Sorrow of the Blessed Virgin, when she presented her only son in the temple, laid him in the arms of holy Simeon, and heard the prophetic words "This one shall be a sword of sorrow to pierce your own heart."
One Our Father; Seven Hail Marys

The Second Sorrow:  The Flight Into Egypt
Forced to endure the hardships of a long journey, and becoming a foreigner in a strange land, Mary and her family flee to protect the child Jesus from those who would destroy him.
One Our Father; Seven Hail Marys

The Third Sorrow:  The Loss Of Jesus In The Temple
Jesus disappeared for three days in Jerusalem at the age of twelve, causing his parents, especially Mary, agonizing sorrow.
One Our Father; Seven Hail Marys

The Fourth Sorrow:  Mary Meets Jesus On The Way To Calvary
As Jesus makes His way to Calvary, condemned to crucifixion, He meets His mother, Mary.  He is bruised, derided, cursed and defiled and her sorrow is absolute as Jesus drags His cross up the hill of His crucifixion.
One Our Father; Seven Hail Marys

The Fifth Sorrow:  Jesus Dies On The Cross
Mary stands near her dying Son unable to minister to him as he cries "I thirst."  She hears him promise heaven to a thief and forgive his enemies.  His last words, "Behold your mother," charge us to look on Mary as our mother.
One Our Father; Seven Hail Marys

The Sixth Sorrow:  Mary Receives The Dead Body Of Jesus
The passion and death are over but for his mother, grief continues.  She holds His body in her arms.
One Our Father; Seven Hail Marys

The Seventh Sorrow:  Jesus Is Laid In The Tomb
The most tragic day in history ends, Mary alone in sorrow, as she lays the body of her Son in the tomb.
One Our Father; Seven Hail Marys

Last Three Beads:
Three "Hail Marys" are said at the end in honor of the Tears of Our Sorrowful Mother.
One Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father for the intention of the Pope.
Say "Virgin most Sorrowful, pray for us" three times.

Closing Prayer
Lord God, our Father, from the passion and death of Jesus, shared by the compassion of his Mother, you brought healing to fallen man.  Grant that we, your people, may experience this healing and rise from the power of sin to a wholeness of life promised by Jesus, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, amen.