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Just above the high altar at St. Leo the Great Parish stands a life sized Crucifixion scene with a notable difference from others. We Sisters chant our Divine Office in its shadow every day which has given us ample time to ponder its message. Standing beside the Cross on Jesus’ right, is the image of the Sorrowful Mother, her hand extended toward Him in a gesture of loving support and participation. Jesus’ wounded face is inclined toward His Mother in acknowledgement of her presence while the beloved disciple stands in awe at Jesus’ left, with his hand over his heart. Pondering this image, one can almost hear Christ’s words, “Woman, behold thy son…Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.” (John 19: 26,27)
Hold that image for a moment... for, September pulls back the curtain to reveal the Month dedicated to the Sorrowful Mother. The Month of Our Lady of Sorrows came about as a result of a growing devotion to Mary under this title, beginning in the 11th century. Several hundred years later, Pope Pius VII had recourse to Our Lady under this title in the Church experienced during the turbulent reign of Napoleon. After annexing Rome to France, Napoleon ordered the Pope Pius VII arrested and imprisoned from 1809 -1814. Our Mother of Sorrows was his solace! When the Holy Father was finally released, he instituted a new liturgical feast in September in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows. He intentionally placed the feast day very close to the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross to emphasize Our Lady’s participation in the sufferings, death and resurrection of her Son. He taught that this devotion encourages us that our sufferings too, can be united with those of Christ. Pope Pius VII extended this feast to the universal Church and encouraged the entire month to be dedicated to her honor.
Think about the last year and those who have reached out to you for prayers and consolation. In your most intimate relationships you celebrate not just joys but the inevitable sorrows of life. Have you consoled a friend who miscarried a child, lost a parent, a job, or are in a turbulent family situation? Only the best and trusted of friends show up for this role! By this devotion, Mary personally invites us, as a dear and intimate friend, to keep company with her in her Sorrows. In turn, she will reveal to us the secret of suffering as a participation in the redeeming action of Her Son.
Seven events, referred to in Sacred Scripture, are honored as Mary’s Seven Sorrows: The Seven Sorrows or “dolors” are particular events in the life of Mary that caused excessive sorrow in her Immaculate Heart, sorrows in which she was especially united to Jesus.
1) The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)
2) The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-21)
3) The Loss of Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2:41-50)
4) The Meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Road to Calvary (John 19:17)
5) The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:18-30)
6) Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (John 19:39-40)
7) Jesus Laid in the Tomb (John 19:39-42)
Why is Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows so important?
Consider the thoughts of the Saints on this devotion, particularly St. Bernard, St. Louis Marie de Montfort and St. Alphonsus Marie Ligouri:
Mary, mother of Jesus, was a mother more loving than all other mothers. She loved more than all mothers combined. both natural and supernatural love were united in the heart of Mary: she loved Jesus as her Son, and she loved Him as her God.
Since she was a perfect woman, not even the slightest self-love stained her Immaculate Heart. Therefore her capacity for love was (and is) astonishing.
Mary stood—she did not collapse in anguish—at the foot of the cross, and watched her Son suffer and die.
In her anguish, where could she turn her gaze for consolation as she stood beneath the Cross? When we suffer, we can lift our eyes to Jesus, and find solace there.
As we are under great obligations to Jesus for His Passion endured for our love, so also are we under great obligations to Mary for the martyrdom which she voluntarily suffered for our salvation in the death of her Son.
What are the fruits of this devotion?
Daily sorrows often bring out the worst in us - impatience, blame, self-pity…need I say more? Those who practice this devotion experience these fruits in their daily lives as promised by Our Lady to St. Gertrude the Great:
I will grant peace to their families.
They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.
I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their Mother.
I have obtained from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.
Ways to Practice this Devotion during the Month of September
Consider placing a picture of Our Lady of Sorrows on your home screen on your computer or phone. Take time to contemplate and talk to Our Lady as you look at the screen before work or communications.
As a difficulty arises during the day (as they inevitably do), place yourself at the foot of the Cross with Mary and offer this contradiction with the prayer, “Oh my Jesus, this is for Love of Thee, Who died on the Cross for love of me.”
Construct a shrine in your home or display an image of Our Mother of Sorrows in a prominent place in during the Month of September
Acknowledgments
https://www.maryimmaculateoflourdesnewtonma.org/the-month-of-our-lady-of-sorrows-and-pius-vii
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