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Opinion

Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

PERSPECTIVE - Cherry Ballescas - The Freeman

This September 15 Feast focuses on Mama Mary’s intense suffering and grief during the Passion and death of Our Lord.

Mama Mary’s sorrows are referred to in Luke 2:35 and John 19:26-27.

Mama Mary first heard the prediction about her sorry from Simeon, when, with Saint Joseph, they presented the Child Jesus in the Temple on the eighth day for His naming and circumcision.

“Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed’” (Luke 2:34–35).

In John 19:26-27, this prediction is fulfilled:

“When Jesus saw his mother* and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.”

Traditionally, the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows commemorates the seven sorrows (dolors) in the Heart of Mary as recorded in Scripture: one) the prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:33–35), two) the flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15), three) loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41–50), four) Mary meets Jesus on His way to Calvary (Luke 23:27–31; John 19:17), five ) crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25–30), six) the body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Luke 23:50–54; John 19:31–37), and, seven) the burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8–9; Luke 23:50–56; John 19:38–42; Mark 15:40–47).

You may have seen Mama Mary depicted with her heart exposed and with seven swords piercing it?

Today’s Feast reminds all that Mama Mary received each suffering “with courage, love and trust that echoed her fiat during the Annunciation - “let it be done unto me according to Thy word.”

It is written that this Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows grew in popularity in the 12th century, although under various titles. Some writings would place its roots in the eleventh century. By the fourteenth/fifteenth centuries, the feast/devotion were widespread throughout the Church.

Pope Pius X fixed the permanent date of September 15 for the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary (now simply called the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows).

Focusing on the compassion of our Blessed Mother, our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, reminded the faithful that “Mama Mary Most Holy goes on being the loving consoler of those touched by the many physical and moral sorrows which afflict and torment humanity. She knows our sorrows and our pains, because she too suffered, from Bethlehem to Calvary. 'And thy soul too a sword shall pierce.'

Mary is our Spiritual Mother, and the mother always understands her children and consoles them in their troubles. Then, she has that specific mission to love us, received from Jesus on the Cross, to love us only and always, so as to save us! Mary consoles us above all by pointing out the Crucified One and Paradise to us! “

“Therefore, as we honor our Blessed Mother, our Lady of Sorrows, we honor her as the faithful disciple and exemplar of faith.

Let us pray as we do in the opening prayer of the Mass for this feast day: Father, as your Son was raised on the cross, His Mother Mary stood by Him, sharing His sufferings. May your Church be united with Christ in His suffering and death and so come to share in His rising to new life. Looking to the example of Mary, may we too unite our sufferings to our Lord, facing them with courage, love, and trust.”

vuukle comment

MAMA MARY’

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