Reflection: Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us...

Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Sorrows, an octave after the birthday of Our Lady on September 8th. This feast is dedicated to Mary and her the spiritual martyrdom, As Mary stood at the foot of the Cross on which Jesus hung, the sword of sorrow Simeon had foretold pierced her soul.

Our Lady of Sorrows suffered intense pain during the Passion and Death of Jesus. The Seven Dolors or Sorrows, referred to the seven swords that pierced the Heart of Mary. Her Immaculate Heart was so filled with love and entwined with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. His suffering was her suffering. His anguish and abandonment was her anguish and abandonment.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary
1. The prophecy of Simeon
2. The flight into Egypt
3. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days
4. Mary meets Jesus on His way to Calvary
5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
6. The Body of Jesus being taken from the Cross
7. The burial of Jesus

Meditation:

Let us enter into the scene of the fourth Sorrow of Mary when Jesus and Mary met on the Way to Calvary. Mary followed Jesus as He carried the Cross. His Face and Body were beaten and bruised. Most of His friends abandoned Him. When He fell under the weight of the Cross, in anguish, their eyes met. Her gaze of love consoled Him.

Walk beside Mary along the Via Dolorosa. She follows Him silently and ponders everything in her heart, even though the sword of suffering pierced her Immaculate Heart. She stays with Jesus through it all. She never abandons Him. She accepts the Will of the Father and the sufferings in her life.

Turn to Mary and ask her to help you to be like her. Pour out your heart to her and let her hold you tenderly. She is your most loving Mother. As she holds you, tell her about your fears, pain, suffering and the wounds in your heart. As Mary listens attentively, she consoles you. As your tears flow, Mary draws you close to her Immaculate Heart and she wipes your tears away. Ask Mary to help you carry your crosses the way she did and how to ponder all these things in your heart. Mary never abandoned her Beloved Son Jesus and she will never abandon you. Ask Mary to help you to know and accept the Will of the Father for your life.

Stabat Mater At the Cross her station keeping stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last. Through her heart His sorrow sharing, all His bitter anguish bearing, now at length the sword has passed.

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us and walk with us as we carry our crosses. Draw us to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and your Immaculate Heart.