NIHIL OBSTAT and IMPRIMATUR, 1956
Tan Books and Publishers

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Chapter I has its own introduction, link in bold Italics, as is the Preface to the book.     
As we update, those chapters that have been added will be in bold.

Preface

CHAPTER I
The Martyrdom of Mary

I THE IMMENSITY OF OUR LADY'S DOLORS.
II WHY GOD PERMITTED OUR LADY's DOLORS.
III THE FOUNTAINS OF OUR LADY'S DOLORS.
IV THE CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR LADY'S DOLORS.
V How OUR LADY COULD REJOICE IN HER DOLORS.
VI THE WAY IN WHICH THE CHURCH PUTS OUR LADY'S DOLORS BEFORE US.
VII THE SPIRIT OF DEVOTION TO OUR LADY'S DOLORS.


CHAPTER II
The First Dolor: THE PROPHECY OF ST. SIMEON

CHAPTER III
The Second Dolor: THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT

CHAPTER IV
The Third Dolor: THE THREE DAYS' LOSS

CHAPTER V
The Fourth Dolor: MEETING JESUS WITH THE CROSS

CHAPTER VI
The Fifth Dolor: THE CRUCIFIXION

CHAPTER VII
The Sixth Dolor: THE TAKING DOWN FROM THE CROSS

 CHAPTER VIII
The Seventh Dolor: THE BURIAL OF JESUS CHAPTER

CHAPTER IX
The Compassion of Mary

I THE DIVINE PURPOSE OF MARY'S COMPASSION.
II THE NATURE OF HER COMPASSION.
III THE ACTUAL EFFECTS OF HER COMPASSION.
IV OUR COMPASSION WITH HER COMPASSION.
V THE PASSION AND COMPASSION COMPARED.
VI THE SEEMING EXCESS OF THE COMPASSION.
VII THE MEASURES OF MARY'S COMPASSION.

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Preface

This Treatise was sketched for the first time at St. Wilfrid's in the summer of 1847, more than ten years ago. It has, however, been several times revised, and more than once entirely recast. It was not, however, finally settled in its present shape until the spring of 1855; for not till then was the Author satisfied with the consistency of our Lady's position throughout, nor with its adaptation to the requirements of scholastic theology. The Author has had the completed Treatise by him for some time, as the stage of preparation in which his materials were for a work on the Passion rendered it necessary for him to ascenain how much of that ground would be occupied by the Dolors, and in what manner; and it appeared better to compose the present Treatise, and even finish it for the press, before advancing his book on the Passion into another stage of its preparations, in order that the ultimate harmony between the two might be the more complete. But, as the time was not come for the publication of the Dolors in its predetermined place in the series of books which the Author has planned, it was laid by until its turn should arrive.

It is now twelve years since the Author became a tertiary of the ancient Order of the Servites, and so bound to advance, as much as he might be able to do so, the Devotion to the Seven Dolors; and he has always confessed to himself the obligation. When the London Oratory was founded in 1849, the Rosary of the Seven Dolors was adopted as one of its public characteristic practices, and other measures were taken with success to propagate the devotion. There seems some warrant for believing that graces and blessings have accompanied this humble apostolate of that practice so dear to our Blessed Mother.

The Treatise is now submitted with much diffidence to those who love our Lady's honor, and the spread of all devotion to her, with a hope that they may feel less disappointment in reading it than the Author has done in writing it, and may not be haunted, as he has been throughout, with an ideal which he could not reach, and a vexation that, when he had said all he could in the best way he could, it should always seem so little to be said of Mary, that it almost appeared as if it had better not have been said at all. The thought of the love that prompted the endeavor is, however, some compensation for the imperfection of its success.

THE LONDON ORATORY,
Feast of St. Thomas of Canterbury, 1857.


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