The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows focuses on Mary’s devotion as she stayed by Jesus through His suffering and death. Devotion to Mary’s heart and her shared suffering with her Son grew throughout the Middle Ages, eventually leading the Church to dedicate a specific feast day to honor her seven sorrows: the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the loss of Jesus in Jerusalem, meeting Jesus carrying His cross, standing at the foot of the cross, receiving His body, and placing Him in the tomb.
Mary was no stranger to real, heavy grief. From hearing Simeon predict a sword would pierce her soul to holding her Son’s body after the crucifixion, her life showed extraordinary strength. Rather than running away from heartbreak, she remained steadfast at the foot of the cross, trusting God even in the darkest moment in human history.
Our Lady of Sorrows proves that holiness does not save anyone from hardship. Mary’s life shows that suffering isn’t a punishment, and grieving doesn’t mean a lack of faith. Through her seven sorrows, she meets us in real human pain—panic, displacement, and loss—and shows us how to endure it with courage.
Today, we pray for all who carry hidden grief: for parents mourning in silence, for caregivers stretched thin, for those who feel alone in their suffering. May Our Lady of Sorrows, who stood faithfully at the foot of the Cross, draw near to them with her quiet strength and maternal mercy. May her witness teach us how to stay present in love, even when words fail, and how to hold sorrow with grace.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer to 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.
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Tomorrow’s saints of the day are Saint Cornelius and Saint Cyprian.
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