Christ Gift Store ✝️ @ChristGiftsUS - Twitter Profile

In our Catholic tradition, the month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows focusing on the profound suffering of the Blessed Virgin Mary, particularly during the Passion and Death of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This devotion, rooted in Scripture and tradition, highlights the Virgin Mary’s role as a co-sufferer with Christ, often depicted with seven swords piercing her heart, symbolizing her seven sorrows. The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated on September 15, following the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14, emphasizing the connection between Christ’s suffering and that of His Mother. These are the key events in the Virgin Mary’s life that are meditated upon in this devotion, as supported by Scripture and Catholic tradition: 1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35): Simeon foretells that a sword will pierce Mary’s soul due to Jesus being a sign of contradiction. 2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15): Mary and Joseph flee to protect Jesus from Herod’s threat, enduring fear and exile. 3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-51): Mary experiences anguish when Jesus is missing for three days. 4. Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary (Luke 23:27, John 19:25 context): Mary encounters her Son carrying the cross. 5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-27): Mary stands at the foot of the cross, witnessing her Son’s suffering and death. 6. The Descent from the Cross (John 19:38): Mary receives Jesus’ body, holding him in her arms (often depicted as the Pietà). 7. The Burial of Jesus (John 19:39-42): Mary accompanies her Son’s body to the tomb, facing the finality of his death. Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows began in the 12th century, gaining prominence through the efforts of saints like St. Anselm and St. Bernard, and later the Cistercians and Servite Order (founded in the 13th century), who promoted meditation on Mary’s sorrows. The feast was formalized in 1423 by a provincial synod in Cologne and extended to the universal Church in 1817 by Pope Pius VII, who attributed his release from exile to Mary’s intercession. In 1913, Pope St. Pius X set the feast date as September 15. Author: @father_rmv