Our Lady of Sorrows: September 15

The Blessed Mother’s life was not an easy one. Despite being chosen by God to bear his son, she endured sorrows from the time Christ was born (Simeon predicted her soul would be pierced by the events that would unfold in her son’s life, [Luke 2:34–35]) to, and through, the crucifixion of our Lord. The feast day for Our Lady of Sorrows is on September 15 each year.

Mary, as Our Lady of Sorrows, is often shown in imagery that has one sword piercing her heart (a reference to the first sorrow prophesized by Simeon) and as many as seven swords, representing all seven sorrows.

In Latin, the word “sorrow” translates to “dolor.” Our Lady of Sorrows is the patron saint of many people and places, including those named Dolores. My own mother, whose name is Dolores, was very devoted to the Blessed Mother. I vividly remember walking past her bedroom in the evening and seeing her kneeling at her bed, praying the rosary.

Note: Interestingly, Our Lady of Sorrows is also the patron saint of the state of Mississippi. I am working on trying to find out why!

Here are the Seven Sorrows of Mary, with scripture references.

1. The Prophecy of Simeon in Luke 2;
2. The Flight into Egypt in Matthew 2;
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem, also in Luke 2;
4. Mary’s meeting Jesus on the Via Dolorosa, the Fourth station of the Cross not found in Bible;
5. The Crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Calvary in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and especially John 19;
6. Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19;
7. The Burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea^[2] also in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19;

^{Source: Wikipedia}

There is a great desire from above that we remember these Seven Sorrows of Mary. The Blessed Mother, in the 13^th century, appeared to seven members of the Servite order, requesting their devotion to her Seven Sorrows.

In my research I found a different kind of rosary – one dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. It is also known as the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows, the Dolor Rosary, or the Servite Rosary.

Note: Mary’s Seven Sorrows are not the same as the Sorrowful mysteries of the Holy Rosary.

One hundred or so years after appearing to the Servite Order founders,  Mary appeared in the 14^th century to Saint Bridget of Sweden, saying that those who meditate on her Seven Sorrows daily will be blessed with special graces.

Below are the graces Mary promised to grant those who daily remember her Seven Sorrows in prayer.

1) “I will grant peace to their families.”

2) “They will be enlightened about the divine Mysteries.”

3) “I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them
in their work.”

4) “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.”

5) “I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.”

6) “I will visibly help them at the moment of their death — they will see the face of their Mother.”

7) “I have obtained this grace from My divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to My tears and sorrows will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be forgiven and My Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.”

_{^{Source: ncregister.com}}

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