Sept. 15th - Our Lady of Sorrows

 Today is the memorial of the Our Lady of Sorrows. Each of Her seven sorrows was a moment She cried, because She loved Her Son Jesus with a motherly Heart.

Mary’s first sorrow. When the Child Jesus was presented in the temple, how great was the shock to Mary's Heart at hearing the sorrowful words, from holy Simeon, who said, “And a sword shall pierce your heart.”

The second sorrow of Mary. The flight into Egypt. Consider the sharp sorrow which Mary felt when, St. Joseph being warned by an angel, they had to flee by night in order to preserve her beloved Child from the slaughter decreed by Herod.

The third sorrow of Mary. Joseph and Mary’s loss of Jesus in the temple. For three days they searched for Him not knowing if He was dead or alive or captured by marauders. How dread was the grief of Mary, when She saw She had lost her beloved Son! And as if to increase Her sorrow, when She sought Him diligently among Her kinsfolk and acquaintances, She could not find Him.

The fourth sorrow of Mary. Mary meets Her beloved Son as He carried His Cross. Bearing His Cross, wounded, torn by stripes, crowned with thorns, streaming with blood. Consider the grief of the blessed Virgin thus beholding her Son! Who would not weep at seeing this Mother's grief?

The fifth sorrow of Mary. See the sacrifice of the body of Jesus hanging from the Cross with His Mother standing beneath Him. As She stood at the foot of the cross, pierced by the sword of sorrow, She turned Her eyes on Him, until She knew He lived no longer and had resigned His spirit to His Eternal Father. And to hear the words of Jesus, “Woman, behold thy son.”, would have struck Her Heart knowing John would replace Her beloved son.

The sixth sorrow of Mary. Consider the most bitter sorrow which rent the soul of Mary, when She saw the dead body of Her dear Jesus on laying on Her knees, covered with blood, all torn with deep wounds.

The seventh sorrow of Mary. Consider the sighs which burst from Mary's sad heart when She saw Her beloved Jesus laid within the tomb. She gazed a last time on the lifeless body of her Son, and when the great stone was rolled to the door of the sepulcher, oh, then indeed Her heart seemed torn from her body!

Have you ever wondered what Mary was thinking when She stood at the foot of the Cross. St. Bernard gives us an insight into Mary’s Heart. He said, “Perhaps someone will say: “Had she not known before that he would not die?” Undoubtedly. “Did she not expect him to rise again at once?” Surely. “And still she grieved over her crucified Son?” Intensely. Who are you and what is the source of your wisdom that you are more surprised at the compassion of Mary than at the passion of Mary’s Son? For if He could die in body, could She not die with him in spirit? He died in body through a love greater than anyone had known. She died in spirit through a love unlike any other since His.

My friends, all seven sorrows of Mary were moments, which She would have cried because of how much Her only Son, Jesus, suffered. Today, let us resolve to comfort the Sorrowful Heart of Mary by meditating on Her Seven Sorrows and entering into Her great love for Jesus.