The Passion of the Bridegroom
A Song of Songs Scriptural Meditation on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
A few years ago, a dear friend asked me if I saw any traces of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary in The Song of Songs. I had just written the Seven Joys of the Bride and the Bridegroom Scriptural Rosary. My response at the time was that I would have to ponder that question and take it to prayer. I needed a long time to ponder, pray and let that seed grow but now the fruit is ripe.
This Rosary is the traditional Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary with two Scriptures to reflect on as you pray each Mystery; one from the Gospels or Isaiah as you are accustomed to reading along with these Mysteries and one from The Song of Songs.
In the broadest sense, The Song is the story of God’s faithful and unconditional love of humanity. In another, it is the duet of love sung by the Bridegroom, Christ, and His Bride, the Church. As members of His Church, we are each a soul-bride of Christ. He is our Divine Bridegroom Who loves us with an ardent, selfless, eternal love even unto death. His love is the “love strong as death” that The Song of Songs praises. In fact, He proved to us that His love is stronger than death!
I hope that as you pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary while meditating on verses of The Song of Songs paired with Scriptures describing the events of the Bridegroom’s Passion that you will become more deeply convicted of the strength of His love for you. May the truth of verse 7:11 of God’s divine love song echo in your heart, “I am my Beloved’s and His desire is for me.”
Together in His Heart,
Laura Ercolino
P.S. I intentionally used verses 8:6-7 from The Song of Songs as both the opening and closing prayers because the Passion and Death of Jesus our Bridegroom is all about God’s relentless and everlasting love for each and every person.
Beginning Prayer:
Set me like a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is strong as Death, jealousy relentless as Sheol. The flash of it is a flash of fire, a flame of Yahweh himself. Love no flood can quench, no torrents drown. (The Song of Songs 8:6-7)
Apostles Creed, Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
The First Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
Scripture:
Luke 22:39-46
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
Song of Songs 5:2-3
I slept, but my heart was awake. Hark! my beloved is knocking. “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one; for my head is wet with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.” I had put off my garment, how could I put it on? I had bathed my feet, how could I soil them?
Intention: Jesus, Bridegroom of my soul, grant me the graces of sensitivity of soul and spiritual alertness so I may always respond to Your knocking.
Our Father
10 - Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, His head wet with dew and drops of blood.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, who seek the One Whom our souls love, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be, Fatima Prayer
The Second Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
Scripture:
Isaiah 53:3-5
He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, knowing pain, like one from whom you turn your face; spurned, and we held Him in no esteem. Yet it was our pain that He bore, our sufferings He endured. We thought of Him as stricken, struck down by God and afflicted, but He was pierced for our sins, crushed for our iniquity. He bore the punishment that makes us whole; by His wounds we were healed.
The Song of Songs 5:7 I sought him, but found him not; I called him, but he gave no answer. The watchmen found me, as they went about in the city; they beat me, they wounded me, they took away my mantle, those watchmen of the walls.
Intention: Jesus, Bridegroom of my soul, grant me the grace of contrition for my sins that I might console You in Your agony with my true repentance.
Our Father
10 - Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, being beaten and wounded, while giving no answer.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, who seek the One Whom our souls love, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be, Fatima Prayer
The Third Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns
Scripture:
Mark 15:16-20
The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
The Song of Songs 3:11 Daughters of Zion, come and see King Solomon, wearing the diadem with which his mother crowned him on his wedding day, on the day of his heart’s joy.
Intention: Jesus, Bridegroom of my soul, grant me the graces of perseverance and patience in my sufferings that I might wear a wedding crown of thorns in union with You.
Our Father
10 - Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, wearing the crown with which His Mother crowned Him on His wedding day.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, who seek the One Whom our souls love, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be, Fatima Prayer
The Fourth Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
Scripture:
Mark 15:20-23
A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.
The Song of Songs 4:6-8 Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, I will go to the mountain of myrrh and the hill of frankincense. You are all fair, my love; there is no flaw in you. Come with me from Lebanon, my bride; come with me from Lebanon. Depart from the peak of Ama′na, from the peak of Senir and Hermon, from the dens of lions, from the mountains of leopards.
Intention: Jesus, Bridegroom of my soul, grant me the graces of compassion and generosity that I might willingly help my brothers and sisters to carry their crosses and, in so doing, help You.
Our Father
10 - Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, His love for us carrying Him to the mountain of myrrh.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, who seek the One Whom our souls love, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be, Fatima Prayer
The Fifth Mystery: The Crucifixion and Death of our Bridegroom
Scripture:
Mark 15:37-39
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
The Song of Songs 7:8 I say I will climb the palm tree and lay hold of its branches.
Intention: Jesus, Bridegroom of my soul, grant me the grace of knowledge of Your love for me that I might desire intimacy and union with You above all else.
Our Father
10 - Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, climbing the palm tree of the Cross.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, who seek the One Whom our souls love, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be, Fatima Prayer, Hail Holy Queen
Closing Prayer:
Set me like a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is strong as Death, jealousy relentless as Sheol. The flash of it is a flash of fire, a flame of Yahweh himself. Love no flood can quench, no torrents drown. (The Song of Songs 8:6-7)
You can find more prayers inspired by The Song of Songs on the Hope’s Garden YouTube Channel, podcasts, and in our books available on Amazon and in the Hope’s Garden Shop.