The Seven Sorrows of Mary

Today’s memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows reminds us that Mary shared intimately in every aspect of the life of Jesus. This means that she shared in many great joys, but it also means that she felt, more than anyone, the sorrows of his life. The Church has traditionally reflected on seven events in the life of Mary that have come to be called the “Seven Sorrows of Mary.”

• The prophecy of Simeon that a sword would pierce her heart
• The flight into Egypt
• The finding of the child Jesus in the temple
• Mary meets Jesus as he carries his cross
• Mary stands at the foot of the cross
• The body of Jesus is placed in Mary’s arms after being taken down from the cross
• The body of Jesus is placed in the tomb

We remember that to be close to Jesus means to share in both the joys and sufferings of his life. No one did this more perfectly than Mary. We ask her to help us to carry our cross well through the difficulties of life that we may share in her joy and the joy of all the saints as we one day behold Jesus face to face. May we always stay close to Jesus as Mary did.