September: The Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

Every month is dedicated to a particular tradition within the Catholic Church. The month of September is devoted to Our Lady of Sorrows.

This feast day recalls the Blessed Virgin Mary's spiritual martyrdom in virtue of her perfect union with the Passion of Christ. Our Lady of Sorrows commemorates the perfect union of hearts between Mary and Jesus, through which she experienced many interior sorrows as a consequence of His mission, especially during His Passion and Death. (EWTN)

The seven swords that pierced Mary's suffering heart as foretold in Simeon's prophecy are: 1. The prophecy of Simeon 2. The flight into Egypt 3. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days 4. Mary meets Jesus on His way to Calvary 5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus 6. The body of Jesus taken from the Cross 7. The burial of Jesus

"This poor Mother had to suffer the grief of seeing that amiable and beloved Son unjustly snatched from her in the flower of His age by a barbarous death…. This great torment, then, which Mary endured for us—a torment which was more than a thousand deaths deserves both our compassion and our gratitude.” - Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.