Our Lady of Sorrows
Feast Day: September 15
“Behold, your mother.” – John 19:27
The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, celebrated on September 15, honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as the sorrowful mother who shared intimately in the suffering of her Son, Jesus Christ. This devotion reminds the faithful of Mary’s profound compassion, strength, and deep participation in the mystery of the Passion.
A Mother United to Her Son’s Suffering
From the beginning of her life, Mary was chosen to be the Mother of the Savior. With that calling came the pain of witnessing His suffering and death. Mary’s sorrows were not only moments of grief but acts of deep love and perfect obedience to God’s will.
Standing at the foot of the Cross, Mary accepted her role as the spiritual mother of all believers, as Jesus entrusted her to the beloved disciple with the words, “Behold, your mother” (John 19:27).
The Seven Sorrows of Mary
The devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows focuses on seven key moments of suffering in Mary’s life, known as the Seven Sorrows:
- The Prophecy of Simeon
- The Flight into Egypt
- The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
- Mary Meets Jesus Carrying the Cross
- The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
- The Body of Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
- The Burial of Jesus
Through these sorrows, the faithful are invited to meditate on Mary’s suffering and the ways in which she unites herself fully to the redemptive mission of her Son.
A Feast Rooted in Compassion and Hope
The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows was formally established by Pope Pius VII in 1817, though devotion to Mary’s sorrows had been present in the Church for centuries. This feast directly follows the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14), highlighting Mary’s presence with her Son at the foot of the Cross.
Mary’s sorrows remind the faithful that suffering, when united to Christ, can become a source of grace, healing, and transformation.
A Mother for the Suffering Church
Our Lady of Sorrows is a special patroness for those who suffer, grieve, and carry heavy burdens. She walks with the faithful in their trials, offering comfort and reminding them that they are never alone.
Her witness shows the depth of a mother’s love—a love that endures suffering for the sake of her children and leads them always closer to Christ.
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!