Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows is a poignant title for the Virgin Mary that reflects her profound empathy and resilience as she shared in the profound sorrows of her son, Jesus Christ. This title venerates Mary not only as the mother of Jesus but also as a figure of enduring faith and strength amidst great suffering. Each sorrow is symbolically represented as a sword piercing her heart, underscoring the depth of her pain and compassion. Here are her seven sorrows, each a testament to her deep love and unwavering spirit:
- The Prophecy of Simeon: Upon presenting the infant Jesus at the Temple, Mary hears Simeon's prophecy that her son will lead to the rise and fall of many in Israel, and a sword will pierce her own soul, foretelling the suffering they will endure.
- The Flight into Egypt: Fleeing to Egypt with Joseph and the newborn Jesus to escape King Herod's massacre, each step away from home and into the unknown was a sword of fear and uncertainty in her heart.
- The Loss of Jesus in the Temple: The anxiety of losing Jesus after a visit to Jerusalem pierces her heart with a sword of worry.
- Meeting Jesus on the Way to Calvary: Seeing Jesus bearing the cross on which he will be crucified strikes her with a painful sword of sorrow.
- The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus: Standing at the foot of the cross, witnessing her son’s suffering and death, Mary feels the ultimate sword of sorrow, empathizing deeply with his pain.
- The Taking Down of Jesus’ Body from the Cross: Holding her son’s lifeless body is a sword of intense grief, a moment of tender care and profound loss.
- The Burial of Jesus: The act of burying her son drives the final sword into her heart, enduring the finality of death with a heart steadfast in faith, yet shattered by loss.
Through these sorrows, Mary emerges as an enduring symbol of maternal love and spiritual resilience, inspiring us to bear our own trials with faith and courage, offering them up in the same way she does.