In the Gospel of Luke, Mary brings the baby Jesus to the temple, where Simeon prophesizes to Mary, “And you yourself a sword will pierce” (Lk 2:35). Mary, shaken by these words, walks away.
Often, in Marian paintings and icons, seven swords can be seen piercing Mary’s heart. This is a depiction of Our Lady of Sorrows. The seven sorrows which these swords represent are: the prophecy of Simeon; the flight into Egypt; the search for Jesus in Jerusalem; seeing Jesus as He carries His Cross; Jesus’ Crucifixion and death; Jesus being taken down from the Cross; and Jesus being laid in the tomb.
The Blessed Mother’s heart is united with the Lord’s in His agony. Yet Mary not only carries her Son’s sorrows, but also experiences the sorrows of a mother, as she obediently offers her Son to be crucified for the redemption of the world. Saint Bonaventure declares, “Those wounds—which were scattered over the body of our Lord—were all united in the single heart of Mary.”
He further states that Our Lady was not only near the Lord during His Crucifixion. Instead, she was united with her Son, sacrificing herself on the cross with her Son. The feast day of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated on September 15, one day after the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, reflecting her unity with her Son.
Our Lady of Sorrows appeared to St. Bridget in the 14th century, telling of how she searched for souls who would look with pity upon her, yet she found very few. She also told of the promises that would be granted to souls who would honor her by saying seven Hail Marys each day while reflecting on her tears and sorrows. These promises are:
1. They will have peace granted to their families.
2. They will have enlightenment about the divine Mysteries.
3. They will be consoled during pain and accompanied during work.
4. Whatever is asked of them will be granted under the condition that it is not in opposition of her Son’s “adorable will” or the sanctification of their souls.
5. They will be defended in spiritual battles and in every moment of their life.
6. At the hour of death, they will see the face of the Blessed Mother.
7. They will be taken directly from this earth as their sins will be forgiven, and they will rest in eternal joy and unity with the Lord.
In addition, St. Alphonsus’ writing of The Glories of Mary describes four promises Jesus made to those who hold His Mother’s sorrows in reverence:
1. Those who invoke the name of the Blessed Mother in honor of her sorrows at the hour of death shall receive forgiveness for all their sins.
2. Christ would protect them during their trials, especially at the hour of death.
3. Christ’s Passion would be ingrained upon their minds, and for this, they will receive Heavenly reward.
4. Christ would give such souls to Mary so that she may do whatever she pleases with them, obtaining whatever graces she wishes to bestow upon them.
How can we become some of the few who console Our Mother? In 1917 in Fatima, Portugal, Mary appeared as Our Lady of Sorrows to three shepherd children, and stated that all who attend Confession, receive Holy Communion, and pray the Rosary while meditating upon all fifteen mysteries, on the first Saturday for five consecutive months, will receive the graces needed for salvation at the hour of death. In each apparition, Mary told the children, “I want you to say the Rosary every day.”
The Blessed Mother fully submits herself, enduring all, to God’s will. Mary raised her only Son, the most loving and perfect Son, with the tenderest care until that day when He was seized from her by unjust hands who brutally tortured and mocked Him for a crime not His own.
How much love and trust must Our Mother have had to let her Son be tormented so that mercy may be shed upon His enemies? How full of grace must Our Mother be to love her Son’s enemies as her own children? To the co-Redemptrix, Our Lady of Sorrows, may our hearts be open to contemplate her pain and love.
Featured image courtesy of Lawrence OP via Flickr
Lourdes Macaspac, graduate of the class of 2021, wrote for The Torch as a C101 writer during her first three years and as a Faith Feature Columnist during her senior year. At BC, she majored in a bunch of things, enjoyed giving her time to service, and cared greatly for her friends. Through the fleeting sweet and sometimes chaotic moments, she rediscovered the meaning of her life: sanctity.
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