Spring Series - Marian Titles: Our Lady of Sorrows

For today’s blog post we will reflect on Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows. This is a title that many are probably familiar with, but don’t fully know or understand. The title ‘Our Lady of Sorrows’ has many variations, such as ‘Mother of Sorrows’ or ‘Our Lady of the Seven Dolours’. All these titles refer to Mary’s role as a suffering mother of Christ and the church. Mary’s is commonly depicted in artwork with Seven Swords piercing her suffering heart, with each sword representing the sorrows in her life. These Seven Sorrows are as follows: 

1. The Prophecy of Simeon in the Temple (Luke 2:25-35)
2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2)
3. The loss of the child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2)
4. Mary’s meeting Jesus on the Via Dolorosa (4th station of the Cross)
5. The Crucifixion of Jesus on Calvary
6. Jesus is taken down from the Cross
7. The burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea 

Each of these events in Mary’s life caused her great suffering and sorrow. Mary knew when she bore Jesus that He came to save His people, but every day she lived with the knowledge her only Son would be taken from her. When He was Crucified, Mary suffered with Him every step of His final journey. Mother Mary is the ultimate example to us of what it means to suffer for Christ with dignity and grace. She did not falter from God’s plan or complain when this great pain was placed into her life. May we all turn to her in our moments of sorrow, pain and suffering and ask her to lead us in obedience for the Lord’s will. Mother Mary, pray for us.