Page 18 - Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Our Lady of Sorrows: What are Mary’s

seven sorrows?

By Kartie Yoder

Catholic News Agency - Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Sep 15, 2022

Catholics are invited to contemplate the seven sorrows of the Blessed Virgin
Mary in a special way on Sept. 15, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

The first sorrow begins with the prophecy of Simeon, a devout man in
Jerusalem who met Christ as a baby. During the encounter, Simeon foretells
Mary’s suffering.

“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,” he tells her, according to Luke’s
Gospel.

As with the first sorrow, Mary’s other sorrows regard her son: fleeing into
Egypt to save the Christ Child’s life; losing the child Jesus in the Temple for
three days; meeting Christ on his way to Calvary; standing at the foot of the
cross; watching Christ’s body being taken down from the cross; and burying
Christ’s body.

Reflecting on Our Lady of Sorrows in Slovakia last year, Pope
Francis highlighted Mary’s response to these sorrows.

“Mary, Mother of Sorrows, remains at the foot of the cross. She simply stands
there. She does not run away, or try to save herself, or find ways to alleviate
her grief,” he said. “Here is the proof of true compassion: to remain standing
beneath the cross. To stand there weeping, yet with the faith that knows that,
in her son, God transfigures pain and suffering and triumphs over death.”

Through these sorrows, Our Blessed Mother also offers hope. She revealed
seven promises to St. Bridget of Sweden in the 14th century for those who
recite seven Hail Marys daily while reflecting on her tears and sorrows,
according to Our Sorrowful Mother’s Ministry (OSMM) in Vandalia, Illinois.