OUR MOTHER OF SORROWS
During the liturgical year, the Church often celebrates related feasts on successive days. For example, we celebrate successively the feasts of the Sacred Heart of Jesus & the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Saint Monica and her son, Saint Augustine. This year we celebrate The Exaltation of the Cross on Thursday, September 14 and Our Lady of Sorrows on Friday, the 15th.
Our Lord willed that His sufferings on Calvary and those of His Mother would become as one. The Opening Prayer for the Mass of Our Lady of Sorrows reads: “O God, at whose Passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon, a sword pierced the most sweet soul of the glorious Virgin and Mother Mary: mercifully grant, that we who with devotion honor her sorrows, may obtain the happy fruit of thy Passion.”
The Alleluia Verse of the Mass proclaims: “Holy Mary, the Queen of heaven and Mistress of the world, stood by the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ full with sorrow.”
As we reflect on the feasts of the Exaltation of the Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows, let us ask Our Blessed Mother to grant us the grace to accept our crosses and carry them joyfully. Our Divine Savior said that unless we take up our crosses daily and follow Him, we cannot be His disciples. Standing at the foot of the Cross, Our Mother of Sorrows gives us the example of uniting our sufferings with the sufferings of Christ for the sake of His Body, which is the Church.”
In times of sorrow and distress, let us reflect on The Seven Sorrows of Mary. Devotion to her Seven Sorrows will be a source of strength and inspiration. Her Seven Sorrows are:
1) THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON
2) THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT
3) THE THREE DAYS’ LOSS
4) THE MEETING ON THE VIA CRUCIS
5) THE CRUCIFIXION
6) THE TAKING DOWN FROM THE CROSS
7) THE BURIAL OF JESUS
Our Lord willed that His sufferings on Calvary and those of His Mother would become as one. The Opening Prayer for the Mass of Our Lady of Sorrows reads: “O God, at whose Passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon, a sword pierced the most sweet soul of the glorious Virgin and Mother Mary: mercifully grant, that we who with devotion honor her sorrows, may obtain the happy fruit of thy Passion.”
The Alleluia Verse of the Mass proclaims: “Holy Mary, the Queen of heaven and Mistress of the world, stood by the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ full with sorrow.”
As we reflect on the feasts of the Exaltation of the Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows, let us ask Our Blessed Mother to grant us the grace to accept our crosses and carry them joyfully. Our Divine Savior said that unless we take up our crosses daily and follow Him, we cannot be His disciples. Standing at the foot of the Cross, Our Mother of Sorrows gives us the example of uniting our sufferings with the sufferings of Christ for the sake of His Body, which is the Church.”
In times of sorrow and distress, let us reflect on The Seven Sorrows of Mary. Devotion to her Seven Sorrows will be a source of strength and inspiration. Her Seven Sorrows are:
1) THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON
2) THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT
3) THE THREE DAYS’ LOSS
4) THE MEETING ON THE VIA CRUCIS
5) THE CRUCIFIXION
6) THE TAKING DOWN FROM THE CROSS
7) THE BURIAL OF JESUS
posted by Fr. Richard J. Rego at 10:23 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home