​"Look, and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow!"

~ Lamentations 1: 12

 

 The month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, a title given to Mary as she suffered alongside Christ during His passion. The feast day for Our Lady of Sorrows falls on September 15th, the day after the feast of The Exultation of the Cross on September 14th, which celebrates the Cross of Christ as a triumphal sign of our salvation.

 

 The title Our Lady of Sorrows is derived from the prophecy of Simeon when Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus to God at the Temple in Jerusalem. “The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and 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 2:33-35)

 

 Throughout the month of September, the Church calls the faithful to reflect upon the seven sorrows of Mary. These seven sorrows include: the prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35), the flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15), loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50), Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17), Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30), the body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37), and the burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47). 

 

 The faithful may also pray the 'Seven Sorrows Rosary", meditating on the pains of Jesus through the eyes of Our Lady. This devotion dates back to the 14th century as Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, appeared to St. Bridget of Sweden and revealed this rosary prayer to her. It is prayed similarly to the rosary, but instead of meditating on five mysteries, you meditate on the seven sorrows. And instead of praying 10 Hail Mary's in between each mystery, you pray seven Hail Mary's in between each sorrow.

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 During this month of September, votive Masses for Our Lady of Sorrows on those week days without other feasts to help us enter more deeply into the mystery of the sorrows of our Blessed Mother, which were born out of her perfect love for her Son, Jesus our Savior.

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Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows,

Pray for us!

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Oremvs Pro Invicem!

Father Albert Beltz, KHS, Pastor​​

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