September 15, 2020: Our Lady of Sorrows/15 de septiembre de 2020: Bienaventurada Virgen Maria de los Dolores The Seven Sorrows of Mary
The Seven Sorrows of Mary
The First Sorrow: The Prophesy of Simeon.
Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This
child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a
sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be
revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Luke 2:34-35
Let us consider the affliction which Mary’s immaculate heart
endured at the prophesy of holy Simeon. May we more perfectly follow Christ,
and thereby comfort Mary’s heart.
Hail Mary…
The Second Sorrow: The Flight Into Egypt
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph
in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt,
and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child,
to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night,
and went to Egypt,
Matthew 2:13-14
Let us consider the anguish which Mary endured having to flee
with her dutiful spouse Joseph, and the Child Jesus to Egypt. May we be
attentive to the needs of the poor and the oppressed, and thereby comfort
Mary’s heart.
Hail Mary…
The Third Sorrow: The Loss of the Child Jesus
When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy
Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming
that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they
started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not
find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.
Luke 2:43-45
Let us consider the anxiety which Mary endured at the loss of
her dear child. May we always look for Jesus and following his example submit
ourselves to the Father’s will, and thereby comfort Mary’s heart.
Hail Mary…
The Fourth Sorrow:
The Meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross
A great number of the people followed him, and among them were
women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him.
Luke 23:27
Let us consider the grief which Mary endured at the sight of her
son so beaten and wounded on the way of the cross. So protective was she of her
child Jesus, her heart broke that she could no longer protect him. May we, with
humble and contrite hearts, pick up our crosses and follow Christ, and thereby
comfort Mary’s heart.
Hail Mary…
The Fifth Sorrow: The Crucifixion
There they crucified him… [and] standing near the cross of Jesus
were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary
Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing
beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to
the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her
into his own home.
John 19:18;25-26
Let us consider the bitter agony which Mary endured standing at
the foot of the cross gazing at her crucified son, who knowing that he would
soon be dead gave us his sorrowful Mother. May we leave the ways of sin and
persevere in the faith, and thereby comfort Mary’s heart.
Hail Mary…
The Sixth Sorrow: The Taking Down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross
Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was
also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate
and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead;
and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some
time. When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body
to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped
it in the linen cloth…
Mark 15:43-46
Let us consider the miserable desolation which Mary endured as
she held the bloody and lifeless body of Christ. No one could comfort her, for
Christ was her comfort. The light of the world, the spotless lamb, her innocent
child, sacrificed for our sins, and laid upon the altar of her hands. May we,
with open arms accept the ocean of Mercy which Christ opened up for us, and
thereby comfort Mary’s heart.
Hail Mary…
The Seventh Sorrow: The Burial of Jesus
Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and
in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so,
because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they
laid Jesus there.
John 19:41-42
Let us consider the sorrowful solitude of Mary, as she buried
her only son. May we be always willing to keep her company as good and faithful
brothers and sisters in Christ, loving God and each other, and thereby comfort
Mary’s heart.