His Word Today: Our Lady of Sorrows

Seven swords pierce the Sorrowful Heart
of Mary, inside the church of the Holy Cross,
Salamanca, Spain

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows.  Devotion to the sorrow of the Virgin Mary traces its history to the thirteenth century.  In 1233, seven youths in Tuscany founded the Servite Order (also known as the Servite Friars, or the Order of the Servants of Mary). Five years later, they adopted the sorrows of Mary, standing under the Cross, as the principal devotion of their Order.

The Seven Sorrows, which should not be confused with the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, are events in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary which have become the focus of popular devotion.  They include: The Prophecy of Simeon (Lk 2:34-35); The Flight into Egypt (Mt 2:13); The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem (Lk 2:43-45); The Meeting of Mary and Jesus on the Via Dolorosa; The Crucifixion of Jesus on the Mount of Calvary (Jn 19:25); The piercing of Jesus' side with a spear and His Descent from the Cross (Mt 27:57-59); and The Burial of Jesus (Jn 19:40-42).

Because she endured such sorrow, we believe that Mary is close to all those who suffer.  Let us pray today for all in our world who are in need - whether that need be physical, emotional, intellectual or spiritual - and let us ask Mary to help us find the source of our hope in her son Jesus.

Have a great day.