Our Lady of Sorrows

Today is the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady. This has become a favorite devotion of mine ever since Lent of this year, when it was introduced to me.

These sorrows experienced by Our Lady remind us of Simeon's prophecy when the Child was presented in the temple: "And thy own soul a sword shall pierce." For this reason, Our Lady of Sorrows is often depicted with seven swords through her heart.

The Seven Sorrows are as follows:

1) The Sorrow of the Flight into Egypt
2) The Sorrow at Simeon's Prophecy
3) The Sorrow of Losing Jesus in the Temple
4) The Sorrow of Meeting Jesus on the Road to Calvary
5) The Sorrow of the Crucifixion
6) The Sorrow of "the Pieta" (when Jesus was taken down from the cross and placed in Our Lady's arms)
7) The Sorrow at the Burial of Jesus

This devotion is meant to be incorporated with the Holy Rosary, with one "Hail Mary" recited in honor of each of the Seven Sorrows, and an appropriate meditation upon each.

It was revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden (14th century) bu Our Lady that there were seven blessings/promises attached to this devotion:

1) Our Lady will obtain peace for our families

2) Our Lady will obtain for us a deeper understanding about the Divine Mysteries

3) Our Lady will console us in our pains and will accompany us in our work

4) Our Lady will obtain for us as much as we ask for (provided that what we ask for does not oppose the will of Jesus Christ, or hinder the sanctification of our souls)

5) Our Lady will defend us in our spiritual battles with the devil and will protect us at every instant of our lives

6) Our Lady will visibly help us at the moment of our death, that is, she will appear to us to comfort us

7) Our Lady will obtain for those who propagate this devotion that they be taken directly from this life to eternal life, since all our sins will be forgiven and Our Lord will be our eternal consolation and joy

Today of all days, spend some time meditating upon these Seven Sorrows ... the pain of a mother's heart at having to flee to a strange country because her only Son's life is in danger; the anxiety felt when a prophet says "a sword will pierce your soul"; the frantic searching for her 12-year-old Son, looking for him "three days, sorrowing"; the sorrow felt at briefly meeting her Son, beaten, flogged, bleeding, and staggering down Calvary's road; the prolonged anguish of watching her only Son hang there on the Cross, every moment coming closer to His death; the tears shed at holding His limp and lifeless body - this beloved Son of hers - in her arms; the horrible pain of placing this Son into the tomb and watching the stone be rolled into place.

Console your mother by visiting her in your meditations, won't you?