15/09/2023
*15th September, 2023*
*The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows*
The devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows flourished in the Middle Ages, and the hymn Stabat Mater was composed for it. Although it is officially celebrated today, the day after the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, popular devotion in many parts of the Mediterranean celebrates it with processions on the Friday before Holy Week.
*His mother stood by the cross:*
The martyrdom of the Virgin is set forth both in the prophecy of Simeon and in the actual story of our Lord’s passion. The holy old man said of the infant Jesus: He has been established as a sign which will be contradicted. He went on to say to Mary: And your own heart will be pierced by a sword.
Truly, O blessed Mother, a sword has pierced your heart. For only by passing through your heart could the sword enter the flesh of your Son. Indeed, after your Jesus – who belongs to everyone, but is especially yours – gave up his life, the cruel spear, which was not withheld from his lifeless body, tore open his side.
(St Bernard of Clairvaux)
*Let us pray:*
God our Father,
when Jesus, your Son, was raised up on the cross,
it was your will that Mary, his mother, should stand there and suffer with him in her heart.
Grant that, in union with her, the Church may share in the passion of Christ, and so be brought to the glory of his resurrection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
*Our Lady of Sorrows! Pray for us!*
*Goodmorning and have a blessed day*
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