Day 11 -- Our Lady of Sorrows

Today we celebrate a Marian feast: Our Lady of Sorrows. The feast is based on the seven sorrows in the life of Mary (see below). The feast of the Our Lady of Sorrows was originated by a provincial synod of Cologne in 1413. Over the centuries several devotions and orders, arose around meditation on Mary's Sorrows. Mother of Sorrows (Mater Dolorosa) is one of the three common artistic representations of a sorrowful Virgin Mary, the other two are the Stabat Mater (here stands the mother) which is the song sung at the Stations of the Cross and Pieta. The picture to the right depicts Mary and the seven sorrows.

• The Prophecy of Simeon over the Infant Jesus (Luke 2:34)
• The Flight into Egypt of the Holy Family (Matthew 2:13)
• The Loss of the Child Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2:43)
• The Meeting of Jesus and Mary along the Way of the Cross (Luke 23:26)
• The Crucifixion, where Mary stands at the foot of the cross (John 19:25)
• The Descent from the Cross, where Mary receives the dead body of Jesus in her arms (Matthew 27:57)
• The Burial of Jesus (John 19:40)

Prayer for Our Lady of Sorrows

Our mother of sorrows,
with strength from above you stood by the cross,
sharing in the sufferings of Jesus,
and with tender care
you bore Him in your arms, mourning and weeping.

We praise you for your faith,
which accepted the life God planned for you.
We praise you for your hope,
which trusted that God would do great things in you.
We praise you for your love
in bearing with Jesus the sorrows of His passion.

Holy Mary, may we follow your example,
and stand by all your children
who need comfort and love.

Mother of God, stand by us in our trials
and care for us in our many needs.
Pray for us now and at the hour of our death.  Amen!

Mary, I pray that you be with me and my family and friends as we grow closer to your son, Jesus Christ!