Our Lady of Sorrows

September 15 marks the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

On this day, we principally remember Mary on Calvary as she suffered from sorrow of sorrows that filled her life as she watched her beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross.

As Mary is "Our Lady of Sorrows", none of us suffered more than her.

It is in sorrow that our mettle(strength of character) is tested. Moreover, one finds a note of maturity, stability and rationality in those who suffer and who suffer much. And so we should understand that when adversity, difficulties, misunderstandings, bad health and conflicts visit us, we must not see them as things that should never happen. To suffer is normal in this vale of tears.

If she, whom God loves so much, suffered, how much more should we suffer. He, who God and Our Lady love, suffers because God will not refuse to give him that which He gave abundantly to the two who He loved most: Our Lord Jesus Christ and Our Lady. Thus, we must see temptations, trials, stress and so many other sufferings as something normal in life. We must ask that sufferings pass but when they persist, we must bless God and Our Lady.

The Church honours the Seven Sorrows of Mary, as the number SEVEN symbolized the idea of totality and universality

1. The Prophecy of Simeon over the Infant Jesus.(Luke 2:34-35)
2. The Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt.(Matthew2:13-21)
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus for Three Days. (Luke 2:41-51)
4. Meeting Jesus on the Way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31)
5. Mary Watches Jesus Suffer and Die upon the Cross (John 19:25-27)
6. Mary Receives the Body of Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (Matthew 27:55-61)
7. Mary Watches as the Body of Jesus is Buried in a Tomb (Luke 23: 55-56)

"O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us who have recourse to thee."

Reference:http://www.tfp.org/TFPForum/ourladythequeen/sorrows.htm