Significance of the Feast
The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, celebrated on September 15th, honors the Virgin Mary in her role as the sorrowful mother, sharing in the sufferings of her son, Jesus Christ. This feast invites the faithful to reflect on Mary's profound grief and the seven sorrows she endured throughout her life. It is a day to meditate on the deep compassion and love that Mary displayed, standing by Jesus from His birth to His crucifixion.
The Seven Sorrows of Mary
The devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows focuses on seven particular events in Mary's life that caused her great pain and suffering. These seven sorrows are:
The Prophecy of Simeon: Simeon’s prophecy that a sword would pierce Mary’s soul (Luke 2:34-35).
The Flight into Egypt: The Holy Family’s escape to Egypt to avoid King Herod’s massacre (Matthew 2:13-15).
The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple: Mary and Joseph’s anxiety when they could not find Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50).
Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary: Encountering Jesus as He carries His cross (Luke 23:27-31).
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus: Standing at the foot of the cross during Jesus’ crucifixion (John 19:25-30).
The Body of Jesus Being Taken Down from the Cross: Receiving the dead body of Jesus in her arms (John 19:38-40).
The Burial of Jesus: Watching as Jesus is laid in the tomb (John 19:41-42).
Liturgical Celebration
The liturgy for the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows includes readings and prayers that highlight Mary's role in the Passion of Christ. The Gospel reading often chosen is from John 19:25-27, where Jesus, from the cross, entrusts Mary to the beloved disciple, symbolizing her maternal care for all Christians.
Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows
Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows has a long history in the Church. This devotion encourages the faithful to unite their own sufferings with those of Mary and Jesus. It offers comfort and strength, reminding believers that Mary, through her own sorrows, understands and intercedes for their pain.
The Servite Order (the Order of the Servants of Mary), founded in the 13th century, played a significant role in promoting devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows. The order's focus on Mary's sufferings inspired the establishment of the feast and the practice of meditating on her seven sorrows.
Theological Reflection
The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows provides an opportunity for theological reflection on the mystery of suffering and compassion. Mary's sorrows are a testament to her deep love and her willingness to share in the redemptive mission of her Son. Her example teaches Christians about the value of enduring suffering with faith and the power of compassion in the face of sorrow.
Legacy and Inspiration
Our Lady of Sorrows stands as a powerful example of maternal love, compassion, and steadfast faith in the face of suffering. Her life encourages the faithful to find solace in Mary’s maternal care and to seek her intercession in times of trial. The feast calls believers to reflect on the role of suffering in their own lives and to find hope and strength in Mary’s example.
May the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows inspire us to embrace our own sufferings with faith, to offer compassion to those in pain, and to seek the intercession of Mary, who understands our sorrows and stands by us with a mother’s love.
For more, visit catholicconcepts.com/saints.
