Our Lady of Sorrows
"The Virgin may suitably be called a blooming rose. Just as the gentle rose is placed among thorns, so this gentle Virgin was surrounded by sorrow." - St. Brigid
The devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows is a meditation on the Seven Sorrows of Mary, events recorded in the New Testament that both foreshadowed and caused the profound sorrow Mary experienced in the death of her Son. This devotion rose in prominence thanks to the efforts of the Servite order, which was founded in 1240 after seven men received the same vision from Mary, directing them to found a new order and spread devotion to her Seven Sorrows. Pope Pius VII instituted the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows in 1814 in the Latin Church in thanks for the Blessed Mother's intercession for his release from prison under Napoleon.
The Seven Sorrows are as follows:
- The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:33–35)
- The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15)
- Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41–50)
- Mary meets Jesus on His way to Calvary (Luke 23:27–31; John 19:17)
- Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25–30)
- The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Luke 23:50–54; John 19:31–37)
- The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8–9; Luke 23:50–56; John 19:38–42; Mark 15:40–47)
It is in Simeon's prophecy that Mary learns that "a sword will pierce" her heart because of her Son's destiny; the other six events show this prophecy being fulfilled.
Something to reflect on: Mary's sorrow is not what we often feel when we experience sadness. Oftentimes, our sadness is turned inward, focused on our own emotions of self-pity in times of hardness. It flows from our attachments to earthly goods. Mary's holy sorrow is over the sins that led to the death of Jesus and the suffering they inflicted more so than over her own earthly loss. Her empathy united with her Son's, hoping that His mercy would redeem all the sins that resulted in His death. In invoking Our Lady of Sorrows, we can ask for not only her consolation in times of sadness, but also purification of our sorrow.
Two ways you can observe the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows are by reciting the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows (which can be found here) and the traditional hymn, the Stabat Mater:
At the cross her station keeping,
Mary stood in sorrow weeping
When her Son was crucified.
While she waited in her anguish,
Seeing Christ in torment languish,
Bitter sorrow pierced her heart.
With what pain and desolation,
With what noble resignation,
Mary watched her dying Son.
Ever-patient in her yearning
Though her tear-filled eyes were burning,
Mary gazed upon her Son.
Who, that sorrow contemplating,
On that passion meditating,
Would not share the Virgin's grief?
Christ she saw, for our salvation,
Scourged with cruel acclamation,
Bruised and beaten by the rod.
Christ she saw with life-blood failing,
All her anguish unavailing,
Saw him breathe his very last.
Mary, fount of love's devotion,
Let me share with true emotion
All the sorrow you endured.
Virgin, ever interceding,
Hear me in my fervent pleading:
Fire me with your love of Christ.
Mother, may this prayer be granted:
That Christ's love may be implanted
In the depths of my poor soul.
At the cross, your sorrow sharing,
All your grief and torment bearing,
Let me stand and mourn with you.
Fairest maid of all creation,
Queen of hope and consolation,
Let me feel your grief sublime.
Virgin, in your love befriend me,
At the Judgment Day defend me.
Help me by your constant prayer.
Savior, when my life shall leave me,
Through your mother's prayers
receive me
With the fruits of victory.
Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share your grief divine
Let me, to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of your dying Son divine.
Wounded with His every wound,
Steep my soul till it has swooned
In His very Blood away.
Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Lest in flames I burn and die,
In His awe-full judgment day.
Savior, when my life shall leave me,
Through your mother's prayers
receive me
With the fruits of victory.
While my body here decays
May my soul your goodness praise,
Safe in heaven eternally. Amen. Alleluia.
By Anna Neal