The Saving Grace of Mary’s Sorrows

The Catholic liturgical calendar contains a beautiful series of devotions across the months. August, for example, was dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. October will be the month of the Rosary. And this month is set aside in a special way for the Seven Sorrows of Mary.

Because we believe Christ’s sorrows are joined to Mary’s, this month offers us an opportunity to share in both the suffering she endured during her life — and in her son’s Passion. This sharing in Mary’s suffering is similar to Lenten devotions. And just as we draw closer to a hurting friend when we help them through their difficulties, so Mary can help us through our own sorrows.

“How many tears are shed every second in our world; each is different but together they form, as it were, an ocean of desolation that cries out for mercy, compassion, and consolation.”

Mary’s Seven Sorrows are:

1.) The prophecy of Simeon, in which he told Mary a sword would pierce her heart;

2.) The flight into Egypt to escape Herod’s slaughter of the infants;

3.) The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple;

4.) The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross;

5.) The Crucifixion;

6.) The taking down of the body of Jesus from the Cross;

7.) The burial of Jesus.

This month also gives us a chance to reflect on what it means for us that Mary was a mother.

Mothers literally encompass their child in the womb of their body — and after the child’s birth, in their arms.

We believe that the church Christ established is our mother. This is represented in the architecture of St. Peter’s Basilica. The colonnades stretch out like arms to encompass the pilgrims who came down the cobblestones of Via della Conciliazione.

And we also believe that Mary — as the mother of our God — was given to humanity by Jesus as our own mother. Like Michaelangelo’s Pieta who holds the body of Christ, she shares in the sufferings of the world.

Related: Mary, Our Model of Faith

Fr. Lawrence Lew, a priest at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., believes this month resonates with many mothers and women of our time.

“We recall that Our Lady is the compassionate mother who suffers with her Son on the Cross. As she is also our mother, she suffers with us and shares our sorrows and pain,” he said.

It is radically counter-cultural to embrace suffering in the 21st century. But because we live in a fallen world, we will all face suffering.

“How many tears are shed every second in our world,” said Pope Francis in a homily in May. “Each is different but together they form, as it were, an ocean of desolation that cries out for mercy, compassion, and consolation.”

Mary, the Mediatrix of all Graces, mother of God, and encompassing all of His children — is the answer to these cries.