Our Lady of Sorrows

What is this feast?

The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows celebrates the love of Mary, who suffered together with Jesus. It is celebrated right after the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, because in her heart, no one was closer to the crucified Jesus than his Mother: she shared completely in her Son’s suffering. Devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary was spread by the friars of the Order of the Servants of Mary from the thirteenth century.

The story

According to tradition, there were seven great sorrows in Mary’s life. First, Simeon foretold the sword that would pierce her heart (cf. Lk 2:34-35). Second, she had to flee to Egypt to save her Son from King Herod (cf. Mt 2:13-15). Third, she lost her Son for three days in Jerusalem (cf. Lk 2:41-50). Fourth, she met her Son carrying the cross up to Calvary. Fifth, she stood at the foot of the cross when her Son died (cf. Jn 19:25-30). Sixth, she received her Son’s body when it was taken down. Seventh, she laid her Son in the tomb.

On the cross, Jesus saw his Mother and the disciple he loved. He said to his Mother: “Woman, behold, your son.” (Jn 19:26). From that hour, Mary became the Mother of all the Lord’s disciples, and that includes you.

The seven swords in paintings and statues are only a picture. No one really stabbed Mary; it is a way of speaking about the pain in a mother’s heart.

Why does the Church celebrate this feast?

The Church celebrates to thank Mary for staying faithful beside Jesus to the end, even when many disciples had run away. She teaches us that true love does not walk away when things are hard. She is also beside everyone who is suffering today: the sick, the poor, families who are mourning.

A lesson for you

• When you are sad or misunderstood, tell Mary about it in your prayer.
• Stay beside your friends when they have problems; do not walk away.
• Pray for people who are sick and for families who have lost someone.