Our Lady of Sorrows

Today we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, which follows from our feast of the Exaltation of the Cross yesterday.

No one has loved us more than our Lord Jesus, who, because he was a divine person with a human nature and a divine nature, loved us perfectly and infinitely. Indeed, he continues to do so.

No one after Jesus has loved us more than Our Blessed Mother. She, being a human person with a human nature, and with a singular grace given to her by God through the merits of her Son, was a sinless virgin who because of her sinlessness and maternity, had an exquisitely sensitive heart capable of loving so deeply her Son that St. Bernard said she suffered spiritual martyrdom at the foot of the Cross when her Son died.

The more one loves, the more one suffers. That is why we honor Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows, for the depth of her sorrow is a reflection of the depth of her love for her Son and indeed for all of us.

Let us never hesitate to run to her for consolation and help when we are faced with adversity and suffering, for she will be there, standing with us and suffering with us, bringing it all to the feet of her Son on our behalf.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.