Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, recalling the suffering endured by the Blessed Virgin Mary as she shared so closely in the life, Passion and death of her Son.

Devotion to the sorrows of Mary has deep roots in the life of the Church. For a time, two separate feasts honouring the Sorrowful Mother were celebrated, before the observance became established in September, immediately following the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

In the Gospel of Luke, the elderly Simeon tells Mary that a sword will pierce her own soul. That prophecy finds its most powerful fulfilment at Calvary, where Mary remains beside the Cross and witnesses the suffering and death of Jesus.

Saint John tells us that, from the Cross, Jesus entrusted Mary and the beloved disciple to one another: “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple: “Here is your mother.”

Christian tradition has long reflected upon the Seven Sorrows of Mary: the prophecy of Simeon; the flight into Egypt; the loss of the Child Jesus in Jerusalem; meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary; standing at the foot of the Cross; receiving the body of Jesus after his death; and the burial of her Son.

Saint Ambrose reflected upon Mary’s extraordinary courage at Calvary. While others had fled, she remained faithfully beside her Son, looking upon his wounds with a mother’s sorrow while recognising in his sacrifice the salvation of the world.

Our Lady of Sorrows reminds us that Mary understands human grief and suffering. Yet her sorrow is never without hope. Even at the foot of the Cross, she remains faithful to God and united with her Son.

Today, we ask Mary to remain close to all those who are grieving, suffering or carrying heavy burdens, and to lead each of us ever closer to Christ.

🙏 Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.