Thus, the Holy See authorizes that Friday of Sorrows may be celebrated “in places where devotion to the Sorrows of Mary is fervently fertile and in their own calendars it is held as a festival or solemnity, this day (Friday of Sorrows) may be celebrated without any inconvenience with all the prerogatives that are its own” (Cf. Table of Liturgical Days, Misal Romano).
In fact, in countries like Mexico and Spain, Friday of Sorrows is still celebrated before Holy Week. In Mexico, for example, the celebration is intertwined with popular customs: altars are prepared at the doors of the houses and the children go one by one while they pray the rosary, and the people give them “fresh water,” a traditional drink of the country.
About the Seven Sorrows
Devotion to the Sorrowful Virgin invites contemplation of the seven sorrows of Mary. The Mother of God promised, through Saint Brigid of Sweden (Ca. 1302-1373), that she would grant seven graces to those souls who honor and accompany her daily, praying seven Hail Marys “while they meditate on their tears and pains.”